No. 12 Purdue Seeks to Snap Skid Against Rival Indiana in Bloomington
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., January 27, 2026 – The storied hardwood rivalry between Purdue and Indiana renews Tuesday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, with both teams arriving under contrasting circumstances. The 12th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (17-3, 7-2 Big Ten) aim to halt a two-game losing streak, while the Indiana Hoosiers (13-7, 4-5) look to build momentum from a decisive road win and secure a crucial resume-boosting victory.
Teams Heading in Opposite Directions
Purdue, once ranked as high as No. 4, has stumbled in its last two outings. The Boilermakers fell 69-67 at UCLA on January 20 and then dropped an 88-82 home contest to then-No. 11 Illinois on Saturday. In both games, Purdue held a lead late but could not close. Conversely, Indiana snapped a four-game losing streak in emphatic fashion last Friday, routing Rutgers 82-59 on the road. The Hoosiers showcased their offensive firepower, with three players scoring over 20 points.
Key Facts & Game Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tip-off Time & Date | 9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 27, 2026 |
| Location | Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222), Bloomington, Ind. |
| TV Broadcast | Peacock, NBC Sports Network |
| Announcers | John Fanta (play-by-play), Robbie Hummel (analyst), Caroline Pineda (sideline) |
| All-Time Series | Purdue leads, 128-93 |
| Last Meeting | Indiana won, 73-58, in Bloomington on February 23, 2025. |
| ESPN Matchup Predictor | Purdue has a 57.0% chance to win. |
Players to Watch
For Purdue, senior point guard Braden Smith is the engine, averaging 15.2 points and a nation-leading 9.3 assists per game. He is seven assists shy of moving into the NCAA’s all-time top 10. He is complemented by sharpshooter Fletcher Loyer (12.7 ppg) and a formidable frontcourt of Trey Kaufman-Renn (12.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and Oscar Cluff (11.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg).
Indiana is led by fifth-year guard Lamar Wilkerson, who averages a team-high 19.4 points while shooting 40.6% from three-point range. Forward Tucker DeVries adds 14.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Guard Nick Dorn, who scored 23 points in his first start last game, provides critical outside shooting. Point guard Tayton Conerway (11.2 ppg, 4.1 apg) is expected to play despite a recent ankle injury.
Coaching Matchup and Rivalry Context
Purdue’s Matt Painter is in his 21st season, boasting a 488-218 record with the Boilermakers. Indiana’s Darian DeVries is in his first year at the helm after a successful stint at Drake. This will be his first taste of the intense in-state rivalry. Indiana has won three of the last four meetings against Purdue in Bloomington, with all three victories coming against ranked Boilermaker squads. Purdue enters this game as a ranked team for the 10th consecutive meeting in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the Purdue vs. Indiana game on?
The game will be televised nationally on Peacock and the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN).
What is Purdue’s biggest concern coming into this game?
Purdue must improve its defensive rebounding and three-point defense. The Boilermakers were out-rebounded 33-19 by Illinois and have allowed 27 three-pointers in their two recent losses.
Why is this game important for Indiana’s season?
Indiana is squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble. A victory over a ranked rival like No. 12 Purdue would be the marquee win their resume currently lacks and provide a significant boost to their postseason hopes.