Purdue University is set to clash with the University of Memphis in the Baha Mar Championship. The highly anticipated matchup will take place on Thursday, November 20, at 6 p.m. ET. This event will occur at the Baha Mar Grand Ballroom in Nassau, Bahamas. Fans can catch the action live on CBS Sports Network, featuring commentators Chris Sylvester, Kyle Macy, and Ana Bellinghausen. For radio listeners, the game will be broadcast via the Purdue Global Radio Network, led by Rob Blackman and Bobby Riddell.
Purdue’s Performance and Rankings
The No. 1-ranked Purdue Boilermakers arrive in the Bahamas seeking their fifth consecutive MTE Tournament title. Following this tournament, the team will not play again until facing Eastern Illinois on Black Friday at noon.
Recent Achievements
- Purdue is looking to start the season 5-0 for the fourth time in five years.
- The team has won 10 consecutive “Feast Week” contests, with eight victories against AP Top 25 teams.
- They return to No. 1 in the AP poll, securing 42 first-place votes, following a brief period at No. 2.
Historical Context
This matchup marks the first meeting between Purdue and Memphis since Matt Painter’s inaugural season in 2005. Historically, Memphis has had the upper hand, winning the last four encounters, tied for Purdue’s longest active losing streak against an opponent.
Purdue’s Neutral-Site Track Record
Since the 2021-22 season, Purdue boasts an impressive 31-9 record in neutral-site games. Notably, they hold an 18-3 record against unranked opponents during that span.
Player Highlights
Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn currently leads the nation in rebounding with an impressive average of 15.0 rebounds per game. Braden Smith has also made headlines; he was recently named Big Ten Player of the Week, averaging 22.5 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds in two games.
Record-Breaking Stats
- Braden Smith ranks fourth in the nation for assists per game with an average of 8.5.
- He is also the only player in Big Ten history to achieve over 1,400 points, 775 assists, and 550 rebounds.
- Purdue is the only school in the country with two players averaging a double-double: Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff.
Upcoming Novelties
Purdue has secured commitments from four recruits for the Class of 2026, currently ranked second nationally according to 247Sports. Head coach Matt Painter continues to solidify his legacy, sitting fourth in Big Ten history with 475 career wins, aiming for continued success as the season progresses.
