Purdue University’s men’s basketball team, currently ranked No. 6, will face Marquette on Saturday, December 13, at 2:00 PM ET. The game will take place at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. This event marks a significant moment in the season, as Purdue transitions back to non-conference play following a successful start in the Big Ten.
Purdue and Marquette: A Historic Rivalry
This matchup will be the 14th instance in which Purdue and Marquette meet. Over the last nine seasons, they have squared off six times, having a notable history dating back to 1932. The two teams faced each other previously in the Maui Invitational in November 2023, where Purdue triumphed 78-75 thanks to a key last-minute tip-in by Zach Edey, the National Player of the Year.
- Previous Meetings: Marquette defeated Purdue 76-58 in Milwaukee on November 19 of last year, marking Purdue’s first non-conference loss since the 2020-21 season.
- Purdue enjoyed a long winning streak against Marquette, winning the first nine matchups from 1932 to 2017.
- The noteworthy performance by Braden Smith during a game at Mackey Arena during the 2022-23 season contributed to Purdue’s previous victory over Marquette.
Purdue’s Recent Performance
Purdue comes into this contest with a season record of 9-1 and currently sits at 2-0 in Big Ten play. This record is significant for the program, as it marks just the seventh occurrence of starting 2-0 under head coach Matt Painter in his 21-year tenure.
In their last game, Purdue showcased a dominant performance, defeating Minnesota 85-57. The Boilermakers bounced back strongly after a slow start, outscoring their opponent 29-2 right after halftime.
Statistical Highlights
Purdue’s performance statistics illustrate their efficiency and style of play:
- Ranked 1st nationally in offensive efficiency and 26th in defensive efficiency.
- 10th in the nation for assists per game, averaging 20.4 assists.
- Two players, Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, rank among the top 10 nationally in various statistical categories.
- Purdue holds the third position in assist/turnover ratio (2.04).
As they prepare to face Marquette, Purdue must aim to maintain their current momentum. They are set to compete against No. 21-ranked Auburn in the Indy Classic following this game, scheduled for December 20.
