Iowa vs. No. 13 Purdue Men’s Basketball Glance
Iowa vs. No. 13 Purdue men’s basketball glance – key time/TV details you must know
Iowa fans, sharpen your brackets and clear your schedules the Iowa vs. No. 13 Purdue men’s basketball showdown is set for Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 at 4 p.m. CT at Carver‑Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, and this isn’t just another late‑season Big Ten game. This clash features a ranked Purdue squad (20‑4, 10‑3 Big Ten) coming off gritty wins and a Hawkeye squad (18‑6, 8‑5 Big Ten) fueled by home fire and a scorching Bennett Stirtz. The game is sold out, buzzing with tension and stakes as both teams jostle for Big Ten positioning and you’ll want to know where to catch every second live.
FOX holds the TV rights on Saturday afternoon (Tim Brando and Casey Jacobsen on the call), and the Hawkeye Radio Network carries audio for those tuning in by ear.
Game Preview: What’s at stake in this Big Ten battle
When No. 13 Purdue rolls into Iowa City on Valentine’s Day, it isn’t just hearts on the line it’s bragging rights and seeding implications too. Iowa looks to notch its first win over a ranked foe this season, while Purdue wants to stretch its Big Ten résumé and stay inside the Top 15 nationally.
Purdue leads the historical series (99‑78 all‑time) and owns a 53‑32 edge in Iowa City. But recent trends tell a tighter story: the Boilermakers have taken the last five straight meetings, and Iowa’s last home win over Purdue dates all the way back to Dec. 22, 2020 a fact that will hang over the Hawkeyes as Tip‑Off nears.
With both squads boasting elite offensive weapons and different strengths, fans should expect a fast‑paced, high‑intensity battle that could come down to the final minutes.
Iowa Hawkeyes: Home surge + Stirtz’s historic rhythm
Iowa enters this matchup at 18‑6 overall and 8‑5 in Big Ten play but those numbers only scratch the surface of the Hawkeyes’ momentum. Iowa is 12‑1 at home, and senior Bennett Stirtz is a one‑man highlight reel. Over his last four games, Stirtz has poured in 122 points, more in that span than any Hawkeye since Luka Garza in 2020‑21 a stat that has pundits and fans buzzing.
In their last outing, Iowa fell 77‑70 to Maryland, but Stirtz still dropped a colossal 32 points, six assists and four rebounds showcasing his scoring versatility and late‑game grit. Guard Kael Combs and forward Alvaro Folgueiras also provide consistent scoring spark, with Folgueiras averaging double figures in three of his last five games.
Defensively, Iowa doesn’t just talk it delivers. The Hawkeyes allow just 64.3 points per game, the fewest in the Big Ten and among the top 11 defenses nationally. Against a high‑octane Purdue offense, that suffocating scheme could be the X‑factor.
No. 13 Purdue: Balanced attack and elite offense
Purdue arrives in Iowa City as one of college basketball’s most efficient offenses. The Boilermakers rank third in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency and are lethal from deep, with six different players hitting 20+ three‑pointers this season. Their 37.7% clip from beyond the arc is second best in the Big Ten.
Guard Braden Smith orchestrates the machine averaging 15.1 points and 8.8 assists, ranking second in the nation in assists per game. Fletcher Loyer (team‑best 62 threes) and bigs Trey Kaufman‑Renn and Oscar Cluff add muscle and rebounding making Purdue a matchup nightmare.
Purdue’s recent three‑game winning streak includes an 80‑77 overtime victory at No. 7 Nebraska, punctuated by calm late free throws and resilience under pressure. That knack for closing out tight games makes them dangerous in hostile arenas including Carver‑Hawkeye.
Strategy & key matchups to watch
This Iowa‑Purdue tilt is far from one‑dimensional. Here’s what to track:
Stirtz vs. Purdue defense: Iowa’s senior scorer will try to exploit Purdue’s solid but bendable defense. His ability to score from all three levels will dictate the Hawkeyes’ offensive flow.
Smith’s playmaking advantage: Purdue’s guard controls tempo and sets up shooters if Iowa’s defense can disrupt his rhythm, turnovers and transition buckets could shift tempo.
Three‑point accuracy: Purdue’s deep shooting depth could exploit Iowa’s conservative perimeter coverage blower scoring runs often start from beyond the arc in Big Ten games.
Expect adjustments after the first media timeout, with coaches Ben McCollum (Iowa) and Matt Painter (Purdue) dialing up defensive shifts and offensive sets in search of half‑court advantage.
How & where you can watch this Big Ten showdown
When: Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 — 4:00 p.m. CT
Where: Carver‑Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa (Sold out!)
TV: FOX (Tim Brando & Casey Jacobsen)
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network affiliates
Whether you’re tracking every possession on TV or listening on the radio, this game promises intensity, history on the line, and moments that could ripple through the rest of the Big Ten season.
Final thoughts: Must‑watch hoops drama in Iowa City
Few late‑season games deliver as much intrigue as Iowa vs. No. 13 Purdue. With Iowa’s home atmosphere crackling and Purdue’s balanced offense clicking, this is one of Big Ten’s most anticipated showdowns of the season. If you’re a hoops fan, clear your afternoon this one will be talked about long after the final buzzer.
