NCAAB · Final

Purdue Boilermakers Defeat Northwestern Wildcats 81-68

Thursday, March 12, 2026, 6:30 PM ET · United Center

Purdue Boilermakers 81, Northwestern Wildcats 68, 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 Northwestern Wildcats vs Purdue Boilermakers?

Purdue Boilermakers beat Northwestern Wildcats 81-68 at United Center on March 12, 2026.

Who was favored in Northwestern Wildcats vs Purdue Boilermakers?

Purdue Boilermakers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1000 (about 91% implied). The favorite won.

In a decisive matchup, the Purdue Boilermakers triumphed over the Northwestern Wildcats with a final score of 81-68 at the United Center. This victory solidifies Purdue's dominance over Northwestern, marking their third consecutive win against them in their last three meetings, including two this season.

Purdue, boasting a strong home record of 24-8, faced off against a Northwestern team that finished the season with a record of 15-19. The Boilermakers had been struggling slightly in their recent games, entering this contest with a 6-4 record over their last ten outings, yet they managed to maintain an impressive scoring average of 80.3 points per game while allowing 73.7. Their last game before this one saw them narrowly lose to the Wisconsin Badgers, 93-97, which ended a short two-game home stand.

In contrast, Northwestern came into this game riding a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated the Indiana Hoosiers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Their recent form showed a balanced scoring average of 68.9 points per game against an average of 69.9 points allowed. However, their overall performance throughout the season had been inconsistent, reflected in their 5-5 record over the last ten games.

When it comes to home versus away performance, Purdue's home record was slightly less impressive, with a 2-3 record in their last five home games. Northwestern, on the other hand, had a 3-2 record at home but struggled with a 2-3 record in away games.

The two teams had met previously this season on March 5, where Purdue edged out Northwestern with a score of 70-66. Their earlier encounter in the 2025 season also saw Purdue dominate with a 79-61 victory. This history of success against Northwestern likely contributed to Purdue's confidence heading into this game.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details regarding player availability for either team, which can often play a crucial role in the outcome of such fixtures. However, the absence of key players can significantly impact team dynamics and performance.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Purdue as a heavy favorite with a spread of -13.5 and a money line of -1000. Northwestern, conversely, was priced at +650 on the money line, indicating a significant expectation of a Purdue victory. The total points line was set at 139.5, reflecting an anticipated competitive scoring environment.

The game conditions were not detailed in the block, but playing at a neutral venue like the United Center typically adds an interesting dynamic, as neither team has the home court advantage.

As the game unfolded, Purdue showcased their offensive prowess, with key plays contributing to their scoring, including a series of successful shots from Trey Kaufman-Renn and Nick Martinelli. Purdue's ability to maintain control of the game was evident as they built a lead that Northwestern struggled to close.

Overall, this matchup highlighted Purdue's strength as they continue their pursuit of postseason success, while Northwestern will need to regroup after this defeat as they look to improve their performance in future contests.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	PUR -13.5	139.5 o -108 / u -112	Northwestern Wildcats +650 · Purdue Boilermakers -1000

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

Leaders

PointsOscar Cluff19Purdue Boilermakers
AssistsBraden Smith16Purdue Boilermakers
ReboundsOscar Cluff10Purdue Boilermakers
PointsNick Martinelli25Northwestern Wildcats
AssistsJayden Reid9Northwestern Wildcats
ReboundsTre Singleton5Northwestern Wildcats

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