UK Basketball's Win Streak Snapped; Indiana Upsets No. 12 Purdue

Kentucky loses big to Vanderbilt as Indiana pulls off a close win over rival Purdue

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:31pm

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The University of Kentucky men's basketball team saw its five-game win streak come to an end with an 80-55 loss to Vanderbilt on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Indiana University pulled off a 72-67 upset victory over 12th-ranked Purdue in Bloomington. The Big Ten also released its 2026 conference schedule, which features some high-profile matchups.

Why it matters

College basketball is in the midst of its conference play, with teams jockeying for position in their respective leagues and vying for NCAA Tournament berths. Kentucky's loss to Vanderbilt is a setback for the Wildcats, while Indiana's win over Purdue is a significant boost for the Hoosiers as they look to build momentum heading into the stretch run.

The details

Kentucky struggled mightily in the loss to Vanderbilt, missing their first nine shots of the game and never recovering. Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 20 points in the defeat. In Bloomington, Indiana got a big game from Lamar Wilkerson, who scored 19 points, and Nick Dorn, who added 18. Conor Enright hit some key late shots to help the Hoosiers hold off Purdue.

  • The Kentucky-Vanderbilt game took place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
  • The Indiana-Purdue game also occurred on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
  • The Big Ten released its 2026 conference schedule on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

The players

Otega Oweh

A player for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team who scored 20 points in the loss to Vanderbilt.

Lamar Wilkerson

A player for the Indiana University men's basketball team who scored 19 points in the win over Purdue.

Nick Dorn

A player for the Indiana University men's basketball team who scored 18 points in the win over Purdue.

Conor Enright

A player for the Indiana University men's basketball team who scored 8 points, including 5 in the final 71 seconds, to help the Hoosiers hold off Purdue.

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What they’re saying

“We must regroup and get back to playing our brand of basketball. This was a tough loss, but we'll learn from it and come back stronger.”

— John Calipari, Head Coach, University of Kentucky (wxbc1043.com)

“I'm really proud of the way our guys competed and executed down the stretch. This was a big win for our program as we continue to build momentum.”

— Mike Woodson, Head Coach, Indiana University (wxbc1043.com)

What’s next

The Kentucky Wildcats will look to bounce back in their next game, while the Indiana Hoosiers will try to build on this signature win over a ranked opponent. The Big Ten schedule release also sets the stage for some highly anticipated matchups later in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This night showcased the ups and downs of college basketball, with Kentucky suffering a surprising defeat while Indiana scored a crucial victory over a conference rival. The results highlight the competitive nature of the sport and the importance of each game as teams jockey for position in their respective leagues.