Purdue Kicks Off Big Ten Season at Rutgers
Purdue University will commence its Big Ten season on a high note, traveling to Jersey Mike’s Arena to challenge Rutgers. This highly anticipated match is set for 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on FS1.
Purdue’s Winning Streak in Jersey Mike’s Arena
The Boilermakers aim for their third consecutive victory at this venue. They have won at the arena during the 2019-20 season through to 2021-22. However, Purdue has struggled recently, failing to score 70 points in its last four visits, with the last notable result being an 81-76 defeat during the 2020-21 season.
Upcoming Challenging Schedule
- After facing Rutgers, Purdue will host No. 10 Iowa State on Saturday at noon, airing on CBS.
Series History with Rutgers
Purdue holds an 18-6 advantage over Rutgers in their all-time series. The Boilermakers have won their last five confrontations by a total of 88 points. Although Rutgers secured victories over Purdue from January 2020 to December 2021, the Boilermakers have rebounded, winning six out of seven recent contests.
Purdue’s Strong Start
Currently, Purdue is poised to achieve its seventh season starting with an 8-0 or better record since 1938-39. Notably, four of these six occurrences occurred under the guidance of coach Matt Painter.
Top Rankings and Statistics
Purdue recently ranked No. 3 in the NCAA NET rankings, following closely behind Michigan and Duke. The Boilermakers have claimed a 2-0 record in quad-1 games, just behind Michigan, which has six quad-1 victories.
- Purdue leads the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.19.
- Fourth in assists per game with an average of 21.0.
- Ranked sixth with a three-point shooting percentage of .423.
- Boasts an 18th ranking in scoring margin (+21.7).
- 20th in rebound margin (+11.7) and 25th in both field goal percentage and turnovers per game.
Individual Standouts
Several players have made significant individual contributions:
- Braden Smith is second nationally in assists per game with 9.0.
- Oscar Cluff ranks 18th in rebounds at 10.1.
- Daniel Jacobsen stands 19th for blocks per game at 2.43.
- Fletcher Loyer is 12th in three-point shooting percentage at .522.
Additionally, Purdue is unique among NCAA programs for having two players, Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn, averaging double-doubles.
Team Performance and Rankings
Purdue’s recent performance has placed them among the top 20 for both offensive and defensive efficiency, according to KenPom metrics. The Boilermakers have achieved an impressive record of 94-23 (.803) while Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn have been on the roster. This win percentage ranks fifth in the country.
Non-Conference Success
Since the 2021-22 season, Purdue has excelled in non-conference play, with a remarkable record of 48-3 (.941). The only other team with fewer than seven losses during this period is Iowa State, currently at 50-6.
Consistency in Rankings
Purdue has matched its school record by being ranked in the top 25 for 64 consecutive weeks. The Boilermakers achieved the No. 1 rank for the fourth time in five weeks this season.
Throughout the 2021-22 season, Purdue was ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for a total of 17 weeks, leading other teams such as Auburn and Houston, which each achieved this honor for 11 weeks.
Looking Ahead
With a string of impressive stats, records, and performances, Purdue is determined to continue its dominance as they begin Big Ten play. The stage is set for an exciting season as they gear up to face Rutgers and Iowa State.
