Oregon Ducks vs Purdue Boilermakers Picks and Predictions January 18th 2025

No. 13 Oregon Hosts No. 17 Purdue in a Battle of Red-Hot Teams

Two of the hottest teams in college basketball collide on Saturday as No. 13 Oregon takes on No. 17 Purdue in a high-stakes Big Ten showdown in Eugene, Oregon. Both teams are riding impressive winning streaks, and with March Madness approaching, this game could have significant implications for seeding and momentum.

Oregon Seeking First Home Win Over a Ranked Opponent

The Ducks (15-2, 4-2 Big Ten) are tied for fifth place in the conference and remain one of only two Big Ten teams with 15 overall wins, alongside Michigan State. Their strong start marks their best 17-game record since the 2016-17 season, which ended with a Final Four appearance.

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Despite their success, Oregon is still searching for its first home win over a Top 25 opponent this season. Their last loss came at home against then-No. 22 Illinois on Jan. 2, but they have since bounced back with three consecutive victories.

The Ducks have already defeated two ranked opponents this season, securing neutral-site wins over then-No. 20 Texas A&M and then-No. 9 Alabama in the Players Era Festival.

Key Players for the Ducks

• Nate Bittle (C, 7’0″) – The focal point of Oregon’s offense, Bittle leads the team with 13.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. His ability to score both inside and outside makes him a matchup nightmare.
• Jackson Shelstad (PG) – The floor general and a clutch performer, Shelstad averages 12.5 points while logging a team-high 31.4 minutes per game.
• Second-Half Resilience – Oregon has developed a habit of mounting second-half comebacks. In their last three wins against Penn State, Ohio State, and Maryland, the Ducks trailed at halftime before rallying for victories.

Head coach Dana Altman acknowledged his team’s slow starts but praised their ability to finish strong.

“We’ve just been starting out kind of slow (in games) this season, and I feel like we haven’t been together on defense really out the gate all year,” Altman told SI.com. “Second half, we’ve been, you know, finding our way, sticking together towards the end of the game.”

Purdue Dominating in Conference Play

The Boilermakers (14-4, 6-1 Big Ten), last season’s national runners-up, are on a six-game winning streak, including five consecutive double-digit conference victories. Their latest triumph, a 69-58 win over Washington in Seattle, further cemented their status as a Big Ten powerhouse.

Purdue’s current streak is historically significant—the last time they won five straight Big Ten games by 10+ points was in 1988. They have also been dominant in January, boasting a 21-2 record in the month since the 2022-23 season, including 11 straight January victories.

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Key Players for the Boilermakers

• Trey Kaufman-Wren (F) – The team’s go-to scorer, Kaufman-Wren leads Purdue with 17.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
• Braden Smith & Fletcher Loyer – Purdue’s sharpest shooters, both players attempt the most three-pointers on the team and convert at high efficiency—Loyer at 48.7% and Smith at 41.4%.
• Team Balance – With multiple scoring threats and a strong defensive presence, Purdue has won all six games in its current streak by double digits.

Head coach Matt Painter holds Oregon in high regard and expects a tough battle.

“If you just look at their schedule and their record and all the people they’ve played and beat, it speaks for itself,” Painter said. “If the (NCAA) Tournament was right now, they’d be a two- or a three-seed. (Dana Altman) is a fabulous coach. … Just a really, really good coach. They have good players. Great team.”

High-Stakes Matchup with Tournament Implications

This game is only the fourth all-time meeting between Oregon and Purdue, with the Ducks holding a 2-1 series lead.

Both teams enter this contest in top form, making it a must-watch matchup with potential NCAA Tournament seeding ramifications. For Oregon, securing a home win over a ranked opponent would solidify their resume, while Purdue looks to maintain their dominant Big Ten form.

With two battle-tested squads and elite talent on both sides, expect a thrilling showdown in Eugene.