Preview: Purdue Hosts Indiana in Critical Big Ten Rematch WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — A high-stakes rematch awaits Friday night when the Purdue Boilermakers host the Indiana Hoosiers in a pivotal Big Ten Conference men’s basketball clash at Mackey Arena. Purdue (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten), seeking to solidify its position atop the conference and avenge a January loss, enters after a surprising 91-80 home defeat to Michigan on Tuesday. The Boilermakers are 13-1 at home this season, with their only loss at Mackey coming against Illinois in January. Indiana (17-9, 9-6) arrives looking to complete a regular-season sweep of its rival after a 72-67 victory in Bloomington on Jan. 27. The Hoosiers, however, are coming off a 71-51 road loss at Illinois where they shot just 32.7% from the field. The spotlight will be on the backcourt duel between two of the league’s premier guards. Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson enters on a scoring tear, averaging 26.7 points over his last seven games. He poured in 41 points in a win over Oregon on Feb. 9 and scored 19 in the first meeting with Purdue. Purdue counters with point guard Braden Smith, who is averaging 16.1 points and 8.1 assists in conference play. Smith recorded a triple-double with 13 points and 10 assists in an overtime win at Nebraska on Feb. 10 and had 14 points and five assists in the loss at Indiana. The Boilermakers’ interior presence, led by center Trey Kaufman-Renn, who scored 27 points against Michigan, will test an Indiana front line that includes Sam Alexis, coming off an 11-point, eight-rebound performance at Illinois. Purdue holds a significant edge in recent series history at Mackey Arena, having won the last four meetings on its home court. The Hoosiers’ last win in West Lafayette came in 2019. With both teams jockeying for NCAA Tournament seeding and conference standing, Friday’s atmosphere promises to be charged. For Purdue, it’s a chance to reassert dominance at home and in the rivalry. For Indiana, it’s an opportunity to secure a résumé-defining road win and sweep the season series for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.