Thoughts, Observations on Purdue Basketball's 2024-25 Nonconference Schedule (2024)

Purdue finalized its 2024-25 nonconference schedule on Tuesday, getting us one step closer to the start of the college basketball season. The Boilermakers will have their hands full again this year, playing several high-quality opponents outside of Big Ten competition.

Here are a few quick thoughts from Purdue's nonconference schedule.

A tough nonconference schedule has become a staple of Purdue basketball in recent years. Coach Matt Painter didn't deviate from that mindset this offseason, creating plenty of quality matchups for the Boilermakers.

Purdue will play at least six opponents that reached the 2024 NCAA Tournament field: Alabama, Auburn, Marquette, Texas A&M and Yale.

The Boilermakers will also appear in the Rady Children's Invitational, which features BYU, North Carolina State and Ole Miss. Depending on how the Rady Children's Invitational unfolds, Purdue could play as many as seven NCAA Tournament teams (BYU and N.C. State).

Purdue opens the year on Nov. 4 against Texas A&M Corpus Christi, a team that finished second in the Southland a year ago. Painter's team closes its nonconference slate on Dec. 29 against a Toledo squad that won the MAC regular season title last season.

Purdue also hosts a Northern Kentucky, team that finished 18-15 last season. Marshall is the only opponent that ended last year with a losing record, posting a 13-20 mark.

Even Purdue's "buy games" pose some concerns.

Thoughts, Observations on Purdue Basketball's 2024-25 Nonconference Schedule (1)

Two tough stretches

A pair of three-game stretches highlight Purdue's nonconference schedule. The first starts on Nov. 11, when the Boilermakers welcome Yale to Mackey Arena. Purdue then hosts Alabama on Nov. 15 and travels to Milwaukee to play Marquette on Nov. 19.

Yale won the Ivy League Tournament and defeated Auburn in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Alabama reached the Final Four for the first time in program history while Marquette made a run to the Sweet 16.

Playing that level of competition in three consecutive games is going to test the Boilers early in the year.

The second three-game stretch begins on Dec. 14 when Purdue plays Texas A&M at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the Indy Classic. The Boilermakers will then travel to Birmingham on Dec. 21 to take on Auburn before closing out the nonconference schedule against Toledo on Dec. 29.

Texas A&M made an NCAA Tournament appearance last season and Auburn secured its March Madness bid by winning the SEC Tournament title. In addition to winning the MAC championship, Toledo ended with a 20-12 record.

The good news for that three-game stretch? Purdue will have a week between each game to prepare.

Despite playing incredibly tough schedules, Purdue has been unbeatable in nonconference regular season games over the last three seasons. Literally.

The Boilermakers will carry a 35-game winning streak (vs. nonconference regular season opponents) into the 2024-25 campaign. But will Painter's squad be able to make it four straight seasons without a loss outside of Big Ten play?

Purdue returns plenty of talent from last year's team. The Boilers have a strong backcourt in Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer and have a great post presence with Trey Kaufman-Renn. Sophomores Camden Heide and Myles Colvin are expected to make big leaps this coming year.

Plus, the Boilers are bringing in a strong freshman class, highlighted by four-star guard Gicarri Harris and four-star center Daniel Jacobsen. Purdue is more than capable of finishing nonconference play with an 11-0 record.

But ... all good things must come to an end. So, if you had to ask my opinion, I'd guess the Boilermakers drop at least one game in nonconference play.

The benefit of playing this level of competition, though, is that a potential loss (or multiple), doesn't really hurt Purdue's resumé. While everyone in West Lafayette would love to see that winning streak extend to 46, there isn't a major downside to dropping a game or two.

Thoughts, Observations on Purdue Basketball's 2024-25 Nonconference Schedule (2)

Purdue's nonconference opponents by the numbers

  • Combined 2023-24 record: 264-152
  • Combined 2023-24 win %: .635
  • NCAA Tournament opponents: 7 (Alabama, Auburn, BYU, Marquette, North Carolina State, Texas A&M, Yale)
  • Final Four opponents: 2 (Alabama, North Carolina State)
  • Conference champions: 1 (Toledo)
  • Conference Tournament Champions: 3 (Auburn, North Carolina State, Yale)
  • Teams ranked in final AP Poll: 4 (Alabama, Auburn, Marquette, North Carolina State)

PURDUE BIG TEN OPPONENTS 2024-25: The Big Ten has released the conference opponents list for the 2024-25 college basketball season. Purdue will have home-and-away games with just three teams next season: Indiana, Michigan and Rutgers.CLICK HERE

PURDUE BASKETBALL ROSTER: The 2024-25 Purdue men's basketball roster has been set. The Boilermakers enter the season after finishing last year with a 34-5 record, a Big Ten regular season title and a trip to the National Championship Game.CLICK HERE

Thoughts, Observations on Purdue Basketball's 2024-25 Nonconference Schedule (2024)

FAQs

How many wins does Purdue basketball have this season? ›

2023-24 Schedule34-5, 1st in Big Ten.

What conference is Purdue in for men's basketball? ›

Big Ten | Men's Basketball | 2023-24 Standings.

How long has Purdue played basketball? ›

The history of Purdue basketball dates back to 1896 with their first game against the Lafayette YMCA, which they won 34-19. In the 1902–03 season, head coach C.I. Freeman, in his only season, led them to an undefeated 8–0 record.

How many NCAA appearances does Purdue have? ›

The Boilermakers have 35 NCAA Tournament appearances and have, on 26 occasions, made the Round of 32. Moreover, Purdue has 14 appearances in the Sweet 16; six appearances in the Elite Eight; three Final Fours; one appearance in the third-place game; and two appearances in the national championship.

Does Purdue have a chance to win NCAA? ›

Purdue has a chance to win its first national championship ever. In doing so, it could also break the Big Ten's national championship drought: no team from the conference has won since 2000.

Who is the most famous Purdue basketball player? ›

Who Is the Most Famous Purdue Basketball Player?
  • Rick Mount. One of the greatest scorers in Purdue history, known for his incredible shooting ability. ...
  • Glenn Robinson. ...
  • Joe Barry Carroll. ...
  • Terry Dischinger. ...
  • E'Twaun Moore. ...
  • Robbie Hummel. ...
  • JaJuan Johnson. ...
  • Carsen Edwards.

Has Purdue ever won a national championship in basketball? ›

Purdue has never won the national championship and is appearing in its first title game since 1969. Purdue coach Matt Painter called reprising the Virginia role from 2019 "the right narrative" for his team, and he recounted UVA's Tony Bennett reaching out after Purdue lost to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson last year.

How tall is the guy on Purdue? ›

Purdue center Zach Edey is listed at 7-foot-4, which makes him among the tallest players in college basketball this year. He's the tallest player left standing in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

What is Purdue basketball known for? ›

Purdue is the first university to have both men's and women's basketball teams seeded first going into the NCAA tournament. This took place in 1994. The women's basketball team was in the NCAA Final Four in 1994.

Who is favored, Purdue or UConn? ›

Huskies

Who has the most points in Purdue basketball history? ›

Scoring
RkPlayerPoints
1Zach Edey2,516
2Rick Mount2,323
3Joe Barry Carroll2,179
4E'Twaun Moore2,136
6 more rows

How much does Purdue men's basketball coach make? ›

Purdue trustees extend contract for men's basketball coach Matt Painter through 2029, with base salary for 2024-25 of $4.85M, with performance-based incentives of $1.2M. Purdue trustees also bump pay for women's basketball coach Katie Gearlds for 2024-25 season from $550K to $700K.

Who was the old basketball coach at Purdue? ›

Gene Keady became the Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball head coach on April 11, 1980. Keady became the winningest coach in school history with 493 victories and second winningest coach in Big Ten Conference history, only behind former rival, Bob Knight, and was the Big Ten Coach of the Year a record seven times.

Why is Purdue called the Boilermakers? ›

Purdue defeated Wabash College again in 1891, 44–0. An account of the game in the Crawfordsville Daily Argus News of October 26, 1891, was headlined, "Slaughter of Innocents: Wabash Snowed Completely Under by the Burly Boiler Makers from Purdue". Purdue became known as the Boilermakers the next year.

What is the farthest Purdue has gone in March Madness? ›

To find the furthest that the Boilermakers have gone, you'd have to flashback all the way to 1969. A blowout victory against UNC allowed the Boilermakers to punch their ticket to the National Championship Game, but they lost that game to UCLA.

Who is number 1 on Purdue basketball? ›

Purdue Boilermakers Roster
NamePOSHT
C. Furst #1F6-10
C. Heide #23F6-7
C. Barrett #34G6-5
C. Martin #22G6-2
9 more rows

Who's winning the game between Purdue and NC State? ›

🎉 Purdue will play for the national championship

The Boilermakers' dream season of redemption rolls on to Monday night after a 63-50 win over NC State in the Final Four. This is the second national championship appearance in program history for Purdue, but the first since 1969.

Is Zach Edey going to the NBA? ›

Zach Edey is heading to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies selected the Purdue center with the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NBA draft. He will join a core that includes Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr.

What is Purdue's average score per game? ›

Team Stats (34-5, 17-3)
StatisticPurdueOpponents
Total442368
Per Game11.39.4
Margin-1.9--
Assist/Turnover Ratio1.61.5
32 more rows

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