Northwestern Women's Basketball Faces Purdue in Season Finale

Joe McKeown's 40-year coaching career comes to an end as Northwestern hosts Purdue in the final game of the 2025-26 season.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Northwestern women's basketball team (8-20, 2-15 B1G) will host Purdue (12-16, 2-12 B1G) in the final game of the 2025-26 season. This will also mark the end of Northwestern head coach Joe McKeown's 40-year coaching career. The Wildcats were officially eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday with a loss against No. 14 Maryland, and they come into this afternoon's contest as the losers of 10 straight. Purdue currently holds the last spot in the Big Ten Tournament and needs a win to ensure they remain above the cutline.

Why it matters

This game marks the end of an era for Northwestern women's basketball, as longtime head coach Joe McKeown retires after 40 years on the sidelines. The Wildcats have struggled this season, but this final game provides an opportunity to send McKeown out on a high note. For Purdue, a win would secure their spot in the Big Ten Tournament, adding importance to the matchup.

The details

Northwestern will be without several key players due to injuries, including Amparo López, Angelina Hodgens, Lauren Trumpy, and Claire Keswick, who are all out for the season. Purdue will also be missing some of their top players, as Madison Layden-Zay, Taylor Henderson, and Taylor Feldman are all out for the season as well.

  • The game will tip off at 2:00 p.m. CST on March 1, 2026.
  • Northwestern was officially eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday, March 26, 2026.

The players

Joe McKeown

The longtime head coach of the Northwestern women's basketball team, who is retiring after 40 years on the sidelines.

Purdue

The Boilermakers women's basketball team, who currently hold the last spot in the Big Ten Tournament and need a win to ensure they remain above the cutline.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The winner of this game will determine the final seeding for the Big Ten Tournament, which begins on March 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This game marks the end of an era for Northwestern women's basketball, as longtime head coach Joe McKeown retires after 40 years of leading the program. While the Wildcats have struggled this season, this final game provides an opportunity to send McKeown out on a high note and for Purdue to secure their spot in the Big Ten Tournament.