Illinois vs Purdue Picks and Predictions for Saturday, January 24, 2026

By: Cameron Ross Published 01/24/2026, 03:00 AM ET

Illinois vs Purdue Information

The Illinois Fighting Illini will be on the road Saturday afternoon for a 3:00 PM matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette, IN. Indiana is the 11th-ranked team in the nation with 16 wins and 3 losses this season, riding a long winning streak after a 19-point home victory in their last outing. The Purdue Boilermakers are the 4th-ranked team in the nation with 17 wins and 2 losses this season, following a 2-point road loss to UCLA in their last outing, which ended a long winning streak. Stay in the news with our College Basketball Picks.

Illinois Preview

The Illinois offense has been the team's biggest strength this season, averaging 85.3 points on 47% shooting from the floor. Defensively, Illinois has been elite, holding opponents to 67.6 points per game this season. Keaton Wagler leads the Illinois offense this season with 15.9 points and four assists per game. Andrej Stojakovic is second on the team, averaging 14.4 points, and Kylan Boswell chips in a third-best 14.3 points per game. Big man David Mirkovic is for the team, scoring 12.2 points to go along with the team’s leading 8.4 rebounds per game.

Purdue Preview

Offensively, Purdue is averaging 84.1 points on 51% shooting from the floor this season, but scored only 67 points in their loss to UCLA. Defensively, the Boilermakers have been phenomenal this season, allowing 68.1 points per game through 19 games played. Braden Smith left the Purdue offense this season, averaging 14.5 points and 9.1 assists per game. Fletcher Loyer is second on the team with 13 points, while big man Oscar Cluff averaged a fourth-best 11.9 points per game. Trey Kaufman-Renn averages a third-best 12.5 points and leads the team, pulling in 8.9 rebounds per game.

Illinois vs Purdue Prediction

This is a top-15 matchup as each team is competing for the top spot in the Big Ten. Both teams come into this matchup playing well, but Purdue will have the edge. The Boilermakers thrive at home and will stifle a red-hot Illinois team Saturday afternoon. Take Purdue to make the plays down the stretch as they get the win and cover at home to pick up their 18th victory of the season. Final Score Prediction, Purdue Boilermakers win and cover 77-70.

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Best Picks:

Purdue -4.5
Under 150.5

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