Purdue at IU - Game Preview
Take this for what it's worth, this will be my fourth Purdue game at IU that I'll be covering. Purdue is 3-0 in those games.
"College basketball landscapes don't usually move this quickly, but in the state of Indiana, two storied teams have started to take different shapes in the last decade.
IU is a plucky, rebuilding team focused around a tremendous inside talent, battling through coaching regime changes and injuries this season to try and return to prominence.
Purdue's coach Matt Painter has steadily pushed Purdue's program to the top of college basketball. Last year, the Boilermakers were ranked #1 for the first time in program history. This season, Purdue will come into Assembly Hall with a unanimous #1 ranking and the best record in college basketball. It is the seventh week Purdue has been on top of the AP poll. AP voters can be fickle, but one could easily argue, win or lose at IU, Purdue would still garner and deserve recognition as the nation's #1 team.
It's been nearly forty years since IU last won a National Title. Last year was IU's first trip back to the NCAA Tournament since 2016.
For Purdue, the #1 ranking last year could only get them so far. Their loss to #15 seeded St. Peter's was another highlighted disappointment for a program and coach defined by their success everywhere but March. Painter is still looking to break through for his first Final Four run.
But first, Purdue looks to do what it's done more than any other program in the Big Ten, and that is to win the Big Ten Title. It would be their 25th Big Ten Championship. They will go into Bloomington with a three game lead in the conference with an 11-1 conference record. Their lone loss being a one point home loss to Rutgers.
Since that game, Purdue has rattled off 9 straight wins, good for the fourth longest active winning streak in the country.
IU's five game win streak was just snapped on the road at Maryland with the Terrapins winning 66-55, giving IU its fifth in-conference loss.
Purdue is 22-1 on the season. Indiana is 15-7.
But when great rivalries get together, things like records and talent seem to matter a little less. Environments, history, and whatever magic between two of the most basketball universities in the world takes center stage. For the first time in 11 games, IU beat Purdue last season at Assembly Hall. Purdue is 4-1 in the last 5 games in Bloomington.
But this will be the first time since 2016 when both teams will tip-off against each other while ranked.
It's going to be a good one."
Take this for what it's worth, this will be my fourth Purdue game at IU that I'll be covering. Purdue is 3-0 in those games.
"College basketball landscapes don't usually move this quickly, but in the state of Indiana, two storied teams have started to take different shapes in the last decade.
IU is a plucky, rebuilding team focused around a tremendous inside talent, battling through coaching regime changes and injuries this season to try and return to prominence.
Purdue's coach Matt Painter has steadily pushed Purdue's program to the top of college basketball. Last year, the Boilermakers were ranked #1 for the first time in program history. This season, Purdue will come into Assembly Hall with a unanimous #1 ranking and the best record in college basketball. It is the seventh week Purdue has been on top of the AP poll. AP voters can be fickle, but one could easily argue, win or lose at IU, Purdue would still garner and deserve recognition as the nation's #1 team.
It's been nearly forty years since IU last won a National Title. Last year was IU's first trip back to the NCAA Tournament since 2016.
For Purdue, the #1 ranking last year could only get them so far. Their loss to #15 seeded St. Peter's was another highlighted disappointment for a program and coach defined by their success everywhere but March. Painter is still looking to break through for his first Final Four run.
But first, Purdue looks to do what it's done more than any other program in the Big Ten, and that is to win the Big Ten Title. It would be their 25th Big Ten Championship. They will go into Bloomington with a three game lead in the conference with an 11-1 conference record. Their lone loss being a one point home loss to Rutgers.
Since that game, Purdue has rattled off 9 straight wins, good for the fourth longest active winning streak in the country.
IU's five game win streak was just snapped on the road at Maryland with the Terrapins winning 66-55, giving IU its fifth in-conference loss.
Purdue is 22-1 on the season. Indiana is 15-7.
But when great rivalries get together, things like records and talent seem to matter a little less. Environments, history, and whatever magic between two of the most basketball universities in the world takes center stage. For the first time in 11 games, IU beat Purdue last season at Assembly Hall. Purdue is 4-1 in the last 5 games in Bloomington.
But this will be the first time since 2016 when both teams will tip-off against each other while ranked.
It's going to be a good one."
