Purdue Basketball Crushes Indiana in Bounce-Back Win

Boilermakers dominate in-state rival after tough loss to Michigan earlier in the week

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Purdue basketball delivered a resounding 93-64 victory over Indiana on Friday night, rebounding from a tough loss to Michigan earlier in the week that effectively ended their Big Ten championship hopes. The Boilermakers led from start to finish, controlling the glass and never allowing the Hoosiers to find a rhythm. Head coach Matt Painter emphasized the importance of the bounce-back win for his team's momentum heading into March.

Why it matters

Purdue's decisive win over Indiana reinforces their status as a national contender as the postseason approaches, despite falling short in the Big Ten regular season race. The Boilermakers showed their ability to rebound from a disappointing loss and deliver a dominant performance against a rival, an important quality for a team with championship aspirations.

The details

Purdue led 46-29 at halftime and never looked back, outrebounding Indiana 30-15 and controlling the game on both ends of the floor. The Boilermakers' 93-64 victory was their largest margin of victory over the Hoosiers since 1969 and their highest point total in the rivalry game since 1998.

  • Purdue's loss to No. 1 Michigan earlier in the week effectively ended their pursuit of a Big Ten regular season championship.
  • The Boilermakers delivered their dominant win over Indiana on Friday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Matt Painter

Purdue's head coach, a five-time Big Ten Coach of the Year who has built the Boilermakers into perennial national contenders.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

A Purdue senior who was a key contributor in the team's rout of Indiana.

Braden Smith

A Purdue senior who was a key contributor in the team's rout of Indiana.

Fletcher Loyer

A Purdue senior who was a key contributor in the team's rout of Indiana.

Omer Mayer

A Purdue freshman who was a key contributor in the team's rout of Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“Not being able to win a Big Ten championship was tough... I thought this was a great bounce back for our guys.”

— Matt Painter, Head Coach (WISH-TV News)

What’s next

With March Madness approaching, Purdue will look to build on this dominant win over Indiana and position themselves as a top contender in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Purdue's ability to rebound from a tough loss and deliver a commanding performance against a rival demonstrates the team's maturity and focus as they gear up for the postseason. This win could be a defining moment that propels the Boilermakers on a deep tournament run.