Washington vs. Purdue Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, January 7, 2026
On Wednesday, the Washington Huskies and Purdue Boilermakers will battle on the hardwood for Big Ten bragging rights, and we have you ready to go with our Washington vs. Purdue prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from West Lafayette, IN, is at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Boilermakers are 16.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 152.5 points scored.
Purdue beat Washington 69-58 in their lone matchup last season, covering the 7.5-point spread. It was their first meeting as conference competitors. If you want the Washington vs. Purdue prediction, read on to get our top NCAAB predictions and increase your bankroll!
Sign Up for Winners and Whiners News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Washington is making its first trip to Mackey Arena
Washington (9-5 SU, 7-7 ATS, and 6-6 O/U) lost 90-80 to Indiana on Sunday, failing to cover as 8.5-point spread underdogs. The Huskies, who are 1-2 in Big Ten play this season, trailed for over 85 percent of the game. They shot 22-for-25 (88%) from the foul line and took great care of the basketball (4 TOs) on the road, but the Hoosiers were red-hot offensively (52% overall and 43% from three-point distance).
Freshman forward Hannes Steinbach leads Washington in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game on 59.2 percent shooting. He also collects 11.8 rebounds per game. A few other Huskies to watch on Wednesday against Purdue are senior guard Desmond Claude (15.1 PPG), sophomore guard Zoom Diallo (14.6 PPG and 3.4 APG), and senior guard Quimari Peterson (9.7 PPG and 3.1 RPG).
The Huskies score 82.4 points per game (159th) on 45.3 percent shooting (196th), including 31.9 percent from three-point range (274th). Washington gives up 72.5 points per game (108th) on 41.7 percent shooting (91st), including 32.3 percent from beyond the arc (147th). KenPom ranks UW 51st nationally, including 66th in offensive efficiency rating and 56th in defensive efficiency rating.
Washington Huskies Injury Report:
- G Wesley Yates III (14.9 PPG in 11 games) is sidelined with a wrist injury.
- C Lathan Sommerville (4.5 PPG in 14.5 MPG) is questionable to play with a knee injury.
Purdue boasts the most efficient offense in the nation
Purdue (13-1 SU, 9-5 ATS, and 5-9 O/U) defeated Wisconsin 89-73 in its last game, covering the 5.5-point spread. The Boilermakers, who are 3-0 in Big Ten play, shot 46 percent from the floor and assisted on 22 of their 33 made field goals. They led for over 70 percent of the game and by as many as 25 points. The Badgers were competitive on the boards and scored 21 points at the free-throw line, but were just 4-for-25 (16%) from three-point range.
Senior guard Fletcher Loyer leads the Boilermakers in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting. He also shoots 40.6 percent from three-point range and 91.5 percent at the foul line. A few other Purdue stars to watch against Washington are senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (13.8 PPG and 9.8 RPG), senior guard Braden Smith (12.6 PPG and 9.1 APG), and senior center Oscar Cluff (11.4 PPG and 8.8 RPG).
The Boilermakers score 86.4 points per game (90th) on 51.0 percent shooting (23rd), including 39.7 percent from three-point range (11th). The Purdue defense surrenders 66.5 points per game (25th) on 39.8 percent shooting (44th), including 29.4 percent from beyond the arc (37th). KenPom ranks Purdue 4th nationally, including 1st in offensive efficiency rating and 15th in defensive efficiency rating.
Purdue Boilermakers Injury Report:
- No injuries to report for Wednesday's game vs. Washington.
Washington vs. Purdue Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Washington vs. Purdue
- Huskies +16.5 (4 Units)
Purdue has done a fine job covering large spreads this season, but I like Washington's side ATS. The Huskies can cover by battling for offensive rebounds to obtain second-chance buckets. They are top-50 in offensive rebounding percentage, as well as 13th in quick points off offensive rebounds and 27th in second-chance conversion percentage vs the average opponent, per Haslametrics. They have a few capable big men in the 6-foot-11 Steinbach, 6-foot-11 Kepnang, and 6-foot-10 Sommerville, and the Boilermakers rate 183rd in potential quick points allowed off offensive rebounds. Washington also consistently knocks down its free throws, which could be an x-factor when it comes to covering the spread.
Over/Under Pick for Washington vs. Purdue
- Under 152.5 (4 Units)
Betting Trends: The under has cashed in three of Washington's previous four games and in five of Purdue's last seven.
This matchup is more likely to be in the 145-point total range than the low-to-mid 150s. The Boilermakers run a slow-paced offense (310th-fastest tempo in the country), and the Huskies aren't much faster, averaging 2.1 more possessions per game. Neither squad will look to push the pace, and fast-break scoring opportunities will be limited, as both take good care of the basketball (ranked 30th and 39th in turnover percentage). While this is a conference game, these programs have played against each other just once as Big Ten opponents. They may take some time to feel each other out at the start, and that unfamiliarity could result in a less competitive game in the second half, with the home team easing up with the lead to rest its starters.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $200
Tony Karpinski
Joe Duffy
The Insiders Room
Mark Ruelle
Jackie Mack