Top 10 Games on the 2025-26 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Schedule
The marquee matchups college hoops fans won't want to miss
College basketball season is almost here, and the Big Ten is preparing for another year filled with intense rivalries, thrilling matchups, and high-stakes showdowns. With the Big Ten tied for a nation-best six teams in the preseason poll, there are a slew of non-conference and conference matchups that you won’t want to miss.
We’ve combed through the schedule to highlight the top games you should have on your calendar.
All times are Eastern.
Purdue at Alabama – Thursday, November 13 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2
This season kicks off with a bang as Purdue travels to Tuscaloosa for an early-season matchup against Alabama. Purdue, No. 1 in the AP Preseason Poll, returns its three top scorers in Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer, who combined for 60 points in last year’s win over the Crimson Tide.
Alabama, on the other hand, is reloading after losing players to the NBA Draft and transfer portal. Despite the roster changes, their strong track record—including a Final Four appearance in 2024 and an Elite Eight run in 2025—makes this showdown a must-watch. Purdue leads the series 7-3 and will be looking to extend its dominance.
Michigan State vs. Kentucky – Tuesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN
Two blue-blood programs will meet under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, continuing a rivalry that has delivered unforgettable moments since 1978, when Kentucky defeated a Magic Johnson-led Michigan State team en route to a national title. Twenty-seven years later, the Spartans clapped back with a double-overtime win in the 2005 NCAA Tournament.
This year’s matchup features the reigning Big Ten Champion and preseason No. 22 Michigan State, led by legendary coach Tom Izzo. While the Spartans lost some key players, they return dynamic talents like Jeremy Fears Jr. and high-flyer Coen Carr. On the other side, Kentucky is reloaded and ready to compete. This early-season test, airing on ESPN, will reveal how both teams measure up as title contenders.
Players Era Festival in Las Vegas – November 24-25 on HBO Max, TNT, or truTV
Las Vegas will once again host the Players Era Festival, and Big Ten fans are in for a treat as four conference squads—Rutgers, Oregon, Michigan, and Maryland—compete against top programs from across the country. Last year’s champion, Oregon, will look to defend its title in a tournament packed with talent and intense matchups.
The schedules promise plenty of excitement, with games airing on HBO Max. You can see all the viewing information here .
- Rutgers: vs. Tennessee (11/24) and vs. Notre Dame (11/25)
- Oregon: vs. Auburn (11/24) and vs. San Diego State (11/25)
- Michigan: vs. San Diego State (11/24) and vs. Auburn (11/25)
- Maryland: vs. UNLV (11/24) and vs. Gonzaga (11/25)
The championship and third-place games on November 26th will be the culmination of an action-packed week of hoops.
UConn vs. Illinois at Madison Square Garden – Friday, November 28 at 12:30 p.m. on FOX
In a rematch of the 2024 Elite Eight, Illinois faces UConn in a game loaded with emotion and high stakes. The last time these two met, UConn knocked Illinois out of the tournament en route to its national championship. The teams entered 2025-26 ranked in the preseason polls (No. 4 UConn, No. 17 Illinois).
Now, the Fighting Illini are looking for redemption. While they’ve lost key players to the NBA Draft, head coach Brad Underwood has bolstered his roster with talent like Serbian guard Mihailo Petrovic, who hails from the same club as NBA MVP Nikola Jokić. This neutral-site showdown on FOX is the first of a two-game series and will set the tone for what could be a developing rivalry.
Duke at Michigan State – Saturday, December 6 at 12 p.m. on FOX
Two iconic programs with legendary coaches face off in a matchup that could be a preview of the Final Four. Duke leads the series, but the Spartans have held their ground in recent years, going 2-3 in the last five meetings.
Both teams enter the season with high expectations. Michigan State, the reigning Big Ten Champion, returns a core group of experienced players. After losing superstar Cooper Flagg, Duke has reloaded with the nation’s top recruiting class (247 Sports), led by five-star forward Cameron Boozer. This clash, airing on FOX, is a must-watch for college basketball fans.
UCLA at Wisconsin – Tuesday, January 6 at 9 p.m. on Peacock
UCLA and Wisconsin meet for the third time in two seasons. The two programs are tied 1-1 as conference opponents, with their last matchup in the 2025 Big Ten Tournament ending in a dominant 86-70 victory for Wisconsin behind a 26-point performance from John Tonje. Both of them were ranked in the AP Preseason Poll, with UCLA at No. 12 and Wisconsin at No. 24.
Wisconsin is retooling after graduating six seniors (including Tonje). Returning standout John Blackwell will lead the charge. UCLA, led by All-Big Ten selection Tyler Bilodeau and a strong returning core, will be looking to reclaim the upper hand. Catch this pivotal conference game on Peacock.
Purdue vs. Indiana Rivalry Series
Few rivalries in college sports run as deep as Purdue vs. Indiana. With 221 meetings dating back to 1901, this series defines Big Ten basketball.
- Purdue at Indiana – Tuesday, January 27 at 9 p.m. on Peacock
- Indiana at Purdue – Friday, February 20 at 8 p.m. on FOX
The rivalry has been evenly matched in recent years, with the teams splitting the last six games. Last time out, the Hoosiers came back from a 12-point halftime deficit, outscoring the Boilermakers by 27 in the second half to win at home. This year, Purdue’s Smith, Kaufman-Renn, and Loyer will look to lead the Boilermakers to redemption.
Michigan vs. Michigan State Rivalry Series
The battle for Michigan supremacy is always intense, and this year will be no exception. Both teams were ranked in the preseason top 25: Michigan at No. 7, and MSU at No. 22. Tom Izzo’s Spartans have dominated the rivalry recently, winning seven of the last nine meetings.
- Michigan at Michigan State – Friday, January 30 at 8 p.m. on FOX
- Michigan State at Michigan – Sunday, March 8 at 4:30 p.m. on CBS
Last season, the Spartans swept first-year head coach Dusty May’s Wolverines. Despite losing standouts Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf, May has retooled his roster with powerful transfers, including Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), who was a potential first-round pick before he decided to stay in college. Expect two hard-fought battles.
Illinois at UCLA – Saturday, February 21 at 8 p.m. on FOX
Illinois travels to Los Angeles to face UCLA in a game with potentially major conference implications. Their first meeting as conference opponents was a close one in Champaign last season. Illinois held off a late UCLA comeback to win, 83-78, behind Kasparas Jakucionis' 24 points, to end the Bruins’ seven-game win streak.
Without Jakucionis and Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Will Riley, the newly-formed Illini seek their first-ever win in Los Angeles against the Bruins. The two finished 13-7 (UCLA) and 12-8 (Illinois) last season. We’re bound to have another tight one between top-25 teams on the West Coast.
USC vs. UCLA: The Battle of LA
Perhaps the most iconic West Coast rivalry, the Battle of LA will see USC and UCLA clash twice this season.
- USC at UCLA – Tuesday, February 24 at 11 p.m. on FS1
- UCLA at USC – Saturday, March 7 at 9 p.m. on FS1
UCLA holds a 38-24 lead in the series since 1998. USC is rebuilding under second-year coach Eric Musselman, who brought in 10 transfers including Rodney Rice, who led Maryland to the Sweet Sixteen last season. The Bruins are coming off a rollercoaster 2024-25 season, when they bounced in and out of the top 25. Veteran head coach Mick Cronin is hoping his core returners (All-Big Ten selection Bilodeau, Eric Dailey Jr. and Skyy Clark) can keep the ship steady throughout 2025-26.
We have this one highlighted on our best games on the women’s basketball schedule, too. Big Ten regular season champs vs. tournament champs? Come on.
More games we’ll be watching:
- Illinois vs. Alabama in Chicago at the United Center – November 19 at 9 p.m. on FS1
- Illinois vs. Tennessee in Nashville – December 6 at 8 p.m. on ESPN
- Indiana vs. Louisville at Gainbridge Fieldhouse – December 6 at 2:15 p.m. on CBS
- Iowa at Iowa State – December 11, time and network TBD
- Indiana at Kentucky – December 13 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Auburn vs. Purdue at Gainbridge Fieldhouse – December 20 at 6:30 p.m. on Peacock
- Purdue at UCLA – January 20 at 10 p.m. on Peacock
More Than a Game
Each game on the 2025-26 Big Ten Men's Basketball schedule is another chapter in historic rivalries, tests for retooled rosters, and previews of potential March Madness runs. The road to the Big Ten title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament will be fiercely contested. Buckle up—it’s going to be another wild ride.