It’s gaaaaame daaaaaay in West Lafayette, and the stakes couldn’t be higher (remind me to tell you this joke next time I see you in person!).
Game today is at 2:00 PM on FOX.
Illinois heads to Mackey Arena this afternoon to face Purdue in a conference matchup that will definitely help define the Big Ten race for these two teams. Both team are near the top of the conference standings, and the Illini enter as slight underdogs (the alerts on my phone keep updating - currently -4.5). When the regular season wraps and the standings are finalized, January 24th at Mackey might be a very important day in the 2026 season.
Purdue at home is never easy. Winning at Mackey Arena is a near-impossible ask, and with Bam missing from the lineup, the Illini have an uphill battle, to say the least. But Illinois showed Wednesday night that they can still score with the best of them, and that’s pretty important because by many metrics, Purdue and Illinois have two of the top 4 offenses in the nation.
Here’s what Brad has to say leading into the Saturday afternoon showdown.
“He takes what the game gives him; you don't become the Big Ten's all-time leading assist leader by accident, yet he is a player who can put up 30 points if you don't guard him.”
Daddy Brad on Braden Smtih
ILLINI IN THE PROS
NBA
Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls
Ayo posted 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists on Wednesday in Chicago’s win over Minnesota, delivering just a little less than his usual steady production. It wasn’t a flashy stat line, but that hasn’t been Ayo’s calling card in the League. He’s the reliable engine that keeps the Bulls’ offense humming in the middle quarters when lineups get shuffled.
The Bulls need every bit of that consistency with their season hanging in the balance.
Kasparas Jakucionis, Sacramento Kings
The rookie added 3 points and 3 assists Wednesday in Sacramento’s loss to Portland, continuing to get valuable developmental minutes as he finds his footing in the league. For a first-year player navigating the learning curve, every possession matters and the Kings are giving Jakucionis opportunities to grow.
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Podz had 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists in Golden State’s loss to Dallas on Wednesday. Those 10 dimes jump off the page for a sharpshooter like Podziemski. For a second-year guard still carving out his role in Steve Kerr’s rotation, that assist total shows real growth as a facilitator.
THIS DAY IN ILLINI HISTORY
January 24th has delivered plenty of drama over the decades, but 1987 stands out as the day Illinois reminded the nation they belonged in the conversation with the best of the best.
The Illini demolished #9 Arizona 82-63 in a performance that wasn't just dominant—it was emphatic. Ken Norman was virtually unstoppable in the paint, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Doug Altenberger added 16 points with stifling defense, and Tony Wysinger orchestrated the blowout with 12 points and 8 assists, pushing the tempo and finding open teammates all night long. Lowell Hamilton chipped in 10 points with high-energy defense, and Glynn Blackwell rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 of his own.
This wasn't a grinding defensive struggle or a close game that got away late…Illinois controlled the game wire-to-wire, handling a top-ten opponent and catching the nation’s eye. The timing made it sweeter: just two days earlier, Illinois had dropped a heartbreaking overtime loss at #5 Purdue. By crushing an Arizona team that featured future NBA names like Steve Kerr and Sean Elliott, the Illini proved they were more than just a tough Big Ten team.
A decade later in 1996, January 24th brought another blowout, this time a 77-46 shellacking of Ohio State that remains one of the most lopsided games in series history. Illinois was led in this game by a freshman coming off the bench, Ryan Blackwell, with 14 points in just 16 minutes. Kiwane Garris, the heart of this team (and a favorite of 11-year-old Clay Dunker) contributed 12 points and played his usual lockdown defense with 5 steals. Jerry Hester and Jarrod Gee contributed as well with 12 points and 9 points respectively (Gee also aded 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots). And finally, my sister Courtney’s favorite - Richard Keene - only five points, but 6 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals to complete a very well-rounded performance!
But this date has delivered heartbreak too. In 1980, #4 Ohio State escaped Assembly Hall with a 79-76 win that stung on multiple levels. The Buckeyes pulled out a tight road victory in Champaign, handing Illinois a frustrating home loss. The Illini that game were led by a double-double with Eddie Johnson (19 points, 10 rebounds) and 16 points from Mark Smith (the old one).