If you’re staring at your remote right now wondering what channel is Purdue basketball on tonight, you aren’t alone. Trust me, tracking down where the Boilermakers are playing has become a part-time job lately. Between the Big Ten’s massive new media deal and the scramble of streaming services, it’s not as simple as just "turning on the TV" anymore.
Here is the deal for tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026: There is actually no Purdue men's basketball game scheduled for this evening.
The Boilermakers just got off a physical battle at Mackey Arena against Iowa last night, Wednesday, January 14. They won that one, but it was a grind. Right now, Matt Painter has the guys on a plane or prepping for their first big West Coast swing as members of the expanded Big Ten. They’re heading to Los Angeles to face the newcomers, and the schedule gets pretty wild from here.
When do the Boilermakers play next?
Since there isn't a game tonight, you’ve basically got a 48-hour window to get your snacks and your streaming logins sorted. Purdue’s next game is a huge one. They take on USC this Saturday, January 17, at 6:00 PM ET.
Honestly, the "what channel" question for that game is going to catch a lot of fans off guard. It’s not on ESPN. It’s not on the Big Ten Network. You’ll need a Peacock subscription to watch that one live. Because the Big Ten added the West Coast teams, we're seeing more of these "Peacock-exclusive" windows, especially for games played in the Pacific Time Zone.
Upcoming Schedule and TV Channels
- Saturday, Jan 17: at USC (6:00 PM ET) on Peacock
- Tuesday, Jan 20: at UCLA (10:00 PM ET) on Peacock
- Saturday, Jan 24: vs. Illinois (3:00 PM ET) on FOX
- Tuesday, Jan 27: at Indiana (9:00 PM ET) on Peacock
The January 27th game against IU being on Peacock is already causing a stir in West Lafayette and Bloomington. It’s one of the biggest rivalries in sports, and having it behind a streaming paywall is... well, it’s modern college sports.
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Finding the right channel for Purdue basketball
If you are looking for what channel is Purdue basketball on tonight because you're following the Purdue University Northwest squad, they actually do play today. The PNW Pride are taking on Roosevelt University at 7:00 PM CT (8:00 PM ET) at the John Friend Court in Hammond. You can usually catch their games via the GLIAC streaming portal.
But for the main Boilermaker squad in West Lafayette, the "where to watch" answer usually falls into one of four buckets:
- The Big Ten Network (BTN): This is the most common home for mid-week games against traditional rivals like Iowa or Minnesota.
- Peacock: As mentioned, NBC’s streaming service has a death grip on several key Big Ten matchups this year. If you don't see the game on your cable guide, it’s almost certainly here.
- FOX/FS1: Big weekend games usually land on FOX. These are the ones where you can just use an antenna and call it a day.
- CBS: Usually reserved for Sunday afternoons or high-stakes games later in February and March.
Why the schedule is so confusing this year
Basically, the Big Ten is huge now. With 18 teams, the TV partners (FOX, CBS, and NBC) are constantly shuffling games to maximize viewers. A game that was "TBA" two weeks ago might suddenly get moved to an afternoon slot to accommodate a West Coast broadcast.
If you’re a cord-cutter, the best way to ensure you never miss a tip-off is to have a service like YouTube TV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV, which carry BTN and FS1, plus a standalone Peacock account. Without Peacock, you're going to miss about 25% of the conference schedule this season.
Also, keep an eye on the start times. The trips to USC and UCLA mean we’re looking at some 10:00 PM ET starts. It’s great for late-night hoops junkies, but it’s rough if you’ve got to be at work at 8:00 AM the next morning.
Actionable steps for the next game
Don't wait until Saturday at 5:55 PM to figure out your login.
First, check if your internet provider or cable package includes a Peacock "Premium" subscription for free—some still do as part of various bundles. If not, you’ll want to sign up for at least a month to cover this USC/UCLA/Indiana stretch. Second, download the Purdue Sports app. It’s actually pretty reliable for live radio broadcasts if you’re stuck in the car and can’t get the video stream to work.
Finally, bookmark the official Purdue Athletics site. They update the "TV" column faster than the third-party sports apps do. For now, enjoy the night off from the stress of Mackey Arena ball—you’ll need your energy for the LA road trip this weekend.
Next Step: Verify your Peacock login today so you're ready for the USC game on Saturday; if you're a student, check for the discounted student rate which usually knocks the price down significantly.