FORT WAYNE – It’s not do-or-die. There’s too much time left in the Big Ten schedule for that.

But tonight’s Purdue-Illinois game is important as both teams try to build momentum down the stretch. The teams meet at 8:30 p.m. at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill.

“Once you get into February and you get in this position, these games mean so much. It’s going to be a huge game for both teams once again,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said during the Big Ten teleconference Monday. “We need to keep our focus on what we need to do instead of worry about, ‘hey, if we win this game or if we lose this game,’ don’t worry about that. Just go out there and have fun, carry out your assignment and play with a lot of energy.”

Purdue (16-9, 6-6 Big Ten) split two games last week, losing 87-84 at Ohio State on Feb. 7 and then topping Northwestern 87-77 on Sunday.

The Illini (16-9, 5-7) lost at Indiana and Michigan last week. Illinois has dropped three in a row and six of seven.

The Boilermakers won the first meeting between the teams this season 75-60 on Dec. 31 at Mackey Arena. Kelsey Barlow scored 14 points, and Ryne Smith finished with 12.

Purdue will try to build off the momentum of the victory over the Wildcats. It was a team effort with five players scoring in double figures, and Purdue outrebounded Northwestern 40-28.

“That’s one thing that’s been discussed in practice, just do your job,” D.J. Byrd, who scored 20, said after the game. “Our guys, we’re starting to come around to understand who can drive, who can shoot, who can do certain things. Who can get the offense moving and get open looks. If we continue to do that, good things happen for us. The main thing is do your thing on defense and get stops.”

Purdue continues to strive for consistency.

“I think our continuity has been our inconsistent play,” Painter said Sunday. “That’s about the only thing that we’ve had. Just trying to keep some guys on edge a little bit (with changes to the starting lineup). A little bit has to do with who we play. A little bit has to do with how we are playing at that time. I’m kind of like coach (Gene) Keady, I’d like to stay with my seniors, but if you see in the games our seniors are finishing. Whether they start or they don’t. We’ve had some stretches. I think Kelsey Barlow can be a difference for us if he does other things for us. Rebound, defend, those things. And then he’s aggressive driving the basketball, that really helps.

“(Sunday) he got eight rebounds. Against Ohio State, he got zero. He still played well against Ohio State, but we need him to help us in those other areas and to continue to rebound and be consistent there.

“It’s one of those things, we’ve got to get some guys that understand about their consistency on a daily basis. Practice, putting in extra time, then they will play better. When we have that maturity from everybody, then we will grow.”

lpope@jg.net