NCAAB · Final

Illinois Defeats Purdue in Thrilling Showdown

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · Mackey Arena

Illinois Fighting Illini 88, Purdue Boilermakers 82, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers?

Illinois Fighting Illini beat Purdue Boilermakers 88-82 at Mackey Arena on January 24, 2026.

Who was favored in Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers?

Purdue Boilermakers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -270 (about 73% implied). The underdog won.

In a thrilling matchup at Mackey Arena, the Illinois Fighting Illini emerged victorious against the Purdue Boilermakers with a final score of 88-82. This game was particularly noteworthy as both teams entered with identical records of 17-3, showcasing the high stakes of this encounter in the NCAAB landscape.

Purdue had been strong at home with a record of 7-0, but their recent form had taken a hit with a loss in their last game against the UCLA Bruins, which ended 67-69. Over their last ten games, the Boilermakers had a record of 9-1, averaging 83.1 points scored per game while allowing 67.2. However, they had struggled defensively in their last five games, giving up an average of 72.6 points.

On the other hand, Illinois came into the game riding an impressive eight-game winning streak, having won their last match against the Maryland Terrapins 89-70. The Fighting Illini also boasted a record of 9-1 over their last ten games, with an average of 82.3 points scored and only 66.0 points allowed. Their recent form indicated a well-balanced team capable of both scoring and defending effectively.

Historically, this matchup had favored Illinois, as they had previously defeated Purdue 88-80 in their last meeting on March 8, 2025. This added an extra layer of pressure on Purdue to reverse their fortunes against their rivals.

In terms of injuries, both teams appeared to be at full strength, which contributed to the intensity of the game. The betting market reflected the competitive nature of the fixture, with DraftKings setting the spread at -5.5 in favor of Purdue, while the total was set at 152.5. The moneyline odds were -270.0 for Purdue and 220.0 for Illinois, indicating that the Boilermakers were favored to win.

The conditions in Mackey Arena were conducive to a high-scoring affair, with a lively crowd supporting the home team. Viewers were treated to a display of skill and determination from both sides, culminating in a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Key moments in the game included crucial scoring plays from Illinois' Braden Smith, who made a pivotal 23-foot three-pointer that pushed the score to 82-80 in favor of Illinois. Following that, Keaton Wagler extended the lead with a pullup jump shot, and free throws from both Smith and Wagler sealed the victory for the Fighting Illini.

Ultimately, Illinois' ability to execute in the clutch moments proved decisive, as they outperformed Purdue in the final stretches of the game, showcasing their resilience and tactical execution. The victory not only solidified their standing in the league but also added to the excitement of this rivalry.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	PUR -5.5	152.5 o -112 / u -108	Illinois Fighting Illini +220 · Purdue Boilermakers -270

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsBraden Smith27Purdue Boilermakers
AssistsBraden Smith12Purdue Boilermakers
ReboundsOscar Cluff4Purdue Boilermakers
PointsKeaton Wagler46Illinois Fighting Illini
AssistsKeaton Wagler4Illinois Fighting Illini
ReboundsDavid Mirkovic8Illinois Fighting Illini

Recent form

Purdue Boilermakers

Last 10: 9-1Streak L183.1 scored · 67.2 allowed per game7-0 at home

L67-69at UCLA BruinsJan 21
W69-64at USC TrojansJan 17
W79-72vs Iowa HawkeyesJan 14
W93-85vs Penn State Nittany LionsJan 10
W81-73vs Washington HuskiesJan 8
W89-73at Wisconsin BadgersJan 4
W101-60vs Kent State Golden FlashesDec 30
W88-60vs Auburn TigersDec 20
W79-59vs Marquette Golden EaglesDec 13
W85-57vs Minnesota Golden GophersDec 11

Illinois Fighting Illini

Last 10: 9-1Streak W882.3 scored · 66 allowed per game4-0 away

W89-70vs Maryland TerrapinsJan 22
W77-67vs Minnesota Golden GophersJan 17
W79-68at Northwestern WildcatsJan 15
W75-69at Iowa HawkeyesJan 11
W81-55vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsJan 9
W73-65at Penn State Nittany LionsJan 4
W90-55vs Southern JaguarsDec 29
W91-48vs Missouri TigersDec 23
L80-83vs Nebraska CornhuskersDec 13
W88-80at Ohio State BuckeyesDec 10

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Michigan	37-3	-	19-1
Nebraska	28-7	4	15-5
Michigan State	27-8	4	15-5
Illinois	28-9	4	15-5
Wisconsin	24-11	5	14-6
Purdue	30-9	6	13-7
UCLA	24-12	6	13-7
Ohio State	21-13	7	12-8
Iowa	24-13	9	10-10
Indiana	18-14	10	9-11
Minnesota	15-18	11	8-12
USC	18-14	12	7-13
Washington	16-17	12	7-13
Rutgers	14-20	13	6-14
Northwestern	15-19	14	5-15
Oregon	12-20	14	5-15
Maryland	12-21	15	4-16
Penn State	12-20	16	3-17

Box score

Stat	Illinois Fighting Illini	Purdue Boilermakers
Field goals	27-56	33-58
Field goal %	48	57
Three-pointers	18-38	7-19
Three-point %	47	37
Free throws	16-22	9-11
Free throw %	73	82
Rebounds	33	19
Offensive rebounds	13	3
Defensive rebounds	20	16
Assists	10	19
Steals	0	2
Blocks	2	1
Turnovers	10	3
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	1
Points off turnovers	2	20
Fast-break points	5	14
Points in the paint	14	44
Fouls	14	17
Largest lead	6	11
Lead changes	14	14
Time in front	22	69

How the scoring went

2nd Half46-49Oscar Cluff makes layup (Trey Kaufman-Renn assists)
2nd Half49-49David Mirkovic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half49-51Braden Smith makes 16-foot pullup jump shot (Trey Kaufman-Renn assists)
2nd Half52-51Keaton Wagler makes 28-foot three point jumper
2nd Half53-51Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half53-54Omer Mayer makes 23-foot three point jumper (Braden Smith assists)
2nd Half56-54Ben Humrichous makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jake Davis assists)
2nd Half56-57Jack Benter makes 24-foot three point jumper (Braden Smith assists)
2nd Half57-57Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-57Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-59Braden Smith makes 7-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half60-59Keaton Wagler makes driving layup
2nd Half60-61Omer Mayer makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half63-61Keaton Wagler makes 23-foot three point jumper
2nd Half63-63Braden Smith makes driving layup
2nd Half64-63Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half64-65Braden Smith makes 7-foot jumper
2nd Half64-66Braden Smith makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half65-66Andrej Stojakovic makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-68Oscar Cluff makes layup (Omer Mayer assists)
2nd Half66-68Zvonimir Ivisic makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-68David Mirkovic makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half68-71Braden Smith makes 25-foot three pointer
2nd Half68-73Braden Smith makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half69-73Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-73Tomislav Ivisic makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-73Tomislav Ivisic makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half73-75Trey Kaufman-Renn makes 7-foot hook shot (Braden Smith assists)
2nd Half76-75Jake Davis makes 23-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half79-75David Mirkovic makes 22-foot three point jumper (Jake Davis assists)
2nd Half79-77Trey Kaufman-Renn makes 10-foot jumper (Braden Smith assists)
2nd Half82-77Tomislav Ivisic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half82-80Braden Smith makes 23-foot three pointer
2nd Half84-80Keaton Wagler makes 7-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half84-81Braden Smith makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half84-82Braden Smith makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half85-82Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half86-82Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half87-82David Mirkovic makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half88-82David Mirkovic makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours Purdue Boilermakers, below favours Illinois Fighting Illini.