No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers has revenge on its mind as it opens the new year against the Wisconsin Badgers.
Despite being favored, the Boilermakers have lost their last two to Wisconsin and three straight to the Badgers ATS. In fact, Wisconsin has ATS wins in six of the last seven over Purdue as underdogs.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, needs an impressive win after losing to highly ranked foes in the non-conference schedule.
My Purdue vs. Wisconsin predictions and college basketball picks believe the Boilermakers will get what they want, covering on Saturday, January 3.
Purdue vs Wisconsin prediction
Purdue vs Wisconsin best bet: Purdue -5.5 (-115)
The 12-1 Purdue Boilermakers have the most efficient offense in the nation. Since an early-December loss to Iowa State, Purdue has also stepped up its defense.
Against the four opponents since then — a list that includes Quad I Auburn, as well as Minnesota and Marquette — Purdue has not allowed more than 60 points.
The Boilermakers held all four to fewer than .93 points per possession. After allowing teams to shoot .495 from two and .321 from three through the Iowa State game, Purdue has allowed opponents a .422 rate from two and .259 from three.
As a result, they've won all four games by between 28 and 51 points.
That means Purdue has more Quad I wins in the last four games — and as many power-conference wins — as the Wisconsin Badgers have managed all season.
The Badgers are 0-3 against Quad I foes, 0-4 if you consider that TCU was Quad I when it won by 11, only to slip to Quad II since.
Wisconsin failed to cover all four games and lost them all by double digits, including a 28-point loss to BYU and a 30-point defeat at Nebraska.
Wisconsin has been middle-of-the-road in most defensive measures, which already spells doom in the Big Ten.
However, against elite teams, that defense slips to downright awful. The Badgers rank No. 172 in the nation, allowing foes to shoot .334 from three.
Their four top-shelf opponents shot .403. From the two-point range, Wisconsin shoots 49.6%, No. 114 in the country. Their four best foes shot .521.
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Purdue vs Wisconsin same-game parlay
Purdue plays at the No. 309-ranked tempo in the nation. In their last 10 head-to-head matchups, Purdue and Wisconsin have had an Over/Under points line of 150.5 once.
Purdue has gone Under in five of its last six games, including three times with an O/U below 153.5. Wisconsin has been under in the last two games and three of the previous four.
Nolan Winter has scored in double figures in six straight and averaged 18.3 in his last three. He scored 14 against BYU and 23 against Villanova, so he's not just bullying mid-major big men.
Purdue vs Wisconsin SGP
- Purdue -5.5
- Under 153.5
- Nolan Winter Over 12.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Unlucky Loyer
Fletcher Loyer is Purdue's leading scorer, but he's been a bit of a bully this season, piling on the points against low-level foes.
Meanwhile, his four lowest-scoring games came against Purdue’s Quad I opponents: 7 points vs. Alabama, 10 vs. Texas Tech, 5 vs. Iowa State, and 8 vs. Auburn.
Purdue vs Wisconsin SGP
- Purdue -5.5
- Under 153.5
- Nolan Winter Over 12.5 points
- Fletcher Loyer Under 13.5 points
Purdue vs Wisconsin odds
- Spread: Purdue -8.5 (-110) | Wisconsin +8.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Purdue -265 | Wisconsin +225
- Over/Under: Over 153.5 (-105) | Under 153.5 (-115)
Purdue vs Wisconsin betting trend to know
Purdue has hit the game total Under in nine of its last 12 road games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Purdue vs. Wisconsin.
How to watch Purdue vs Wisconsin
| Location | Kohl Center, Madison, WI |
| Date | Saturday, January 3, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Purdue vs Wisconsin key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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