Indiana Seeks First Big Road Win Under DeVries Against Rival Purdue

Hoosiers look to sweep season series and pick up an impact win away from home for the first time under new head coach.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 7:31pm

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Indiana can sweep the season series against its rival Purdue, while also picking up an impact win away from home for the first time in head coach Darian DeVries' tenure. The Hoosiers are coming off a loss to Illinois, while Purdue is looking to bounce back from a double-digit defeat against Michigan. Indiana has struggled on the road this season, but the Boilermakers have shown some vulnerability at home, losing three games at Mackey Arena already this year.

Why it matters

A win over Purdue would be a significant accomplishment for DeVries and the Hoosiers, as it would mark their first big-time road victory under the new head coach. Indiana has lacked that type of resume-building win away from home this season, so this matchup presents an opportunity to change that and further bolster their NCAA Tournament hopes.

The details

Indiana defeated Purdue earlier this season, but playing the same opponent a second time adds another layer of difficulty. The Hoosiers will need to find the right balance between keeping some of what worked in the first matchup while also incorporating new wrinkles to keep the Boilermakers off balance. Limiting turnovers, controlling the glass, and getting another strong performance from Lamar Wilkerson will be key for Indiana to pull off the upset on the road.

  • Indiana and Purdue first met earlier this season on January 27, 2026.
  • The rematch is scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Darian DeVries

Indiana's first-year head coach who is looking to lead the Hoosiers to their first big road win of his tenure.

Lamar Wilkerson

Indiana's offensive X-factor who scored 19 points in the Hoosiers' earlier win over Purdue this season.

Nick Dorn

An Indiana player who will need to step up alongside Wilkerson to help the Hoosiers pull off the road upset.

Tucker DeVries

An Indiana player who will need to contribute offensively for the Hoosiers to have a chance at Mackey Arena.

Kaeton Wagler

The Purdue player who scored 46 points in a home loss to Illinois, showing the Boilermakers' vulnerability at Mackey Arena this season.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to have to play very well. They're a really good team, they're at home and they're tough to beat. We're going to have to make shots and do a lot of things right to win a tough road game.”

— Darian DeVries, Indiana Head Coach (on3.com)

“There are a few components. First is communication — play calls and being able to relay information. Then there's staying composed during those stretches when the crowd is really into it. That's what makes home court so advantageous: having that environment behind you.”

— Darian DeVries, Indiana Head Coach (on3.com)

“When you play a team again, whether you won or lost, you have to decide how much to keep the same and how much to change. They're preparing for what you did before, so you need some different wrinkles. But it still comes down to the same things — turnovers, rebounding and execution. Those are what we have to do well to give ourselves a chance.”

— Darian DeVries, Indiana Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This game represents a crucial opportunity for Indiana to pick up a marquee road win under first-year head coach Darian DeVries. While Purdue has shown some vulnerability at home this season, the Hoosiers will still face a tough challenge in the raucous Mackey Arena environment. Indiana's ability to limit turnovers, control the glass, and get another standout performance from Lamar Wilkerson will be key factors in determining whether they can pull off the upset and complete the season sweep of their in-state rival.