The No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers (12-1) take on the Wisconsin Badgers (9-4) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Purdue is favored by 6 points on the spread with a moneyline of -275. The total is set at 153.5 points.
Here’s my Purdue vs. Wisconsin prediction and college basketball picks for January 3, 2026.
Purdue vs Wisconsin Prediction, Pick
My Pick: Wisconsin +6.5
My Purdue vs Wisconsin best bet is on the Badgers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Purdue vs. Wisconsin Odds, Betting Lines, Total
| Purdue Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -110 | 153.5 -110 / -110 | -275 |
| Wisconsin Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -110 | 153.5 -110 / -110 | +225 |
- Purdue vs Wisconsin spread: Purdue -6
- Purdue vs Wisconsin over/under: 153.5 points
- Purdue vs Wisconsin moneyline: Purdue -275, Wisconsin +225
Purdue vs Wisconsin Game Preview
Purdue Boilermakers: Need To Know
Purdue has such an interesting roster construction with its foursome (Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Oscar Cluff). Smith and Loyer can both shoot it from deep, connecting at a 40% clip. Meanwhile, Kaufman-Renn and Cluff are a walking double-doubles who float around the paint.
Smith is well on his way to becoming the all-time assist leader in college basketball history. He makes everyone around him better, but I'd like to see him hunt for buckets more. We'll see if he does so in a hostile road environment.
The Boilers shoot 3s well (39.9%), and they also hit 2s at a 58.9% clip. I wouldn't call their offense "explosive," but it's balanced and dominant.
Cluff has totally transformed Purdue on the defensive end. He serves as a rim-deterrent for anyone driving to the hoop. Just look at the Boilermakers last season, as they ranked 332nd in 2-point field goal defense compared to 59th in 2025-26.
However, Purdue allows teams to shoot 3s on 45% of field goal attempts. That doesn't mean opponents will always make those shots, but Wisconsin will have ample opportunities to drill downtown shots.
My big question for Purdue: If Wisconsin takes away the offensive glass, how will Purdue respond? The second-chance points are a huge part of the Boilermakers' offense. Wisconsin can shut that down a bit and make them work more in the half-court
Wisconsin Badgers: Need to Know
Wisconsin is such a weird team to evaluate. On one hand, the Badgers have five wins by 20+ points. On the other hand, the top two teams on Wisconsin's schedule (Nebraska and BYU) beat it by almost 30.
The Badgers will have to shoot it well to have a shot at the upset against Purdue. With over 50% of their shots coming from 3, Wisconsin has to hit better than 33% from deep, which is its season average.
John Blackwell and Nick Boyd form a fearsome duo that will have to dominate.
Blackwell is a pure bucket getter, averaging 18 points per game while shooting 40% from deep. However, he's struggled inside the arc, which limits his field goal percentage to 38%.
Boyd has the opposite issue; he's hitting 50% from the field and 29% from deep.
Still, Wisconsin has one of the premier guard duos in the Big Ten.
Meanwhile, Nolan Winter is a player with tons of untapped potential. The 7-footer is enjoying a breakout campaign, averaging 14 points per game on 59% shooting. He can drill it from deep as well, but he needs to take more 3s.
Defense is a bit of a concern for the Badgers, as they rank 46th in defensive efficiency. Wisconsin sits outside the top 110 in 2-point and 3-point field goal percentage, which inspires little confidence for things turning around.
At least Wisconsin doesn't allow second-chances, as it's holding teams to just a 24% offensive rebound rate.
How To Make Purdue vs. Wisconsin Picks
I see some positive shooting regression coming for the Badgers, so I'll roll with them.
They have some proven shooters who haven't shot it well this season. Boyd is a way better shooter than 29%, Austin Rapp is better than his percentage and Andrew Rohde will increase his 35%. It'll turn eventually (I hope).
The Badgers will look to control the tempo in this game. They play at the 62nd-fastest pace in America, and Purdue is 324th.
The faster the pace, the better news it is for Wisconsin.
My Pick: Wisconsin +6.5
