Purdue Hosts Illinois State Seeking First Win

Purdue will try to earn its first win of the season when it hosts Illinois State on November 9 in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers are 0-2 after losses to Gonzaga and Valparaiso; Jacobsen had 28 points in the 83-80 overtime defeat to Valparaiso.

Illinois State arrives with a 1-1 record. The Redbirds lost their opener to St. Mary’s, 90-85 in overtime, then beat Central State 100-55. Through two games, Johnny Kinziger is averaging 23 points, Malik Messina-Moore 17 and Nick Allen 10.

The Redbirds have shot 55% from the field and 50.9% from three-point range in those games. They made 13 of 27 three-pointers against St. Mary’s and 16 of 30 against Central State. Six players have made at least 44% of their attempts from beyond the arc.

Illinois State also brings experience: eight players have played college basketball for at least three seasons. Kinziger and Chase Walker have each earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors. Walker averaged 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season; Kinziger averaged 14.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 2024-25.

Redbirds coach Ryan Pedon has increased the team’s win total each season since taking over in 2022. Illinois State went 23-13 last season, finished third in the Missouri Valley Conference and reached the NIT semifinals. The game is scheduled for November 9, 2026.