WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Home games with Iowa State and Marquette highlight another challenging Purdue non-conference schedule which was finalized late last week and announced today.
The Boilermakers continue to boast one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules, ranking 18th a year ago (third among high-major programs) in non-conference strength of schedule. That came on the heels of ranking second during the 2023-24 season and 32nd during the 2022-23 campaign.
This year's upcoming schedule figures to be almost as difficult. According to the latest ESPN top 25 released last week, The Boilermakers are set to face No. 10 Kentucky in an exhibition game, No. 13 Iowa State, No. 15 Auburn and No. 21 Alabama, as well as a strong Marquette squad in non-conference play. In addition, Purdue will play in the Baha Mar Championship the week before Thanksgiving at the Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas. Teams have not yet been finalized for that tournament.
Big Ten teams ranked in the ESPN top 25 include No. 8 Michigan, No. 14 UCLA, No. 17 Wisconsin, No. 20 Michigan State and No. 24 Ohio State as well as Illinois and Oregon in the "next in line" category.
The Boilermakers will also face a stiff test of mid-major programs which include Oakland (2024 NCAA Tournament second round), Akron (2025 MAC regular-season and Tournament champion) and Kent State (NIT Quarterfinalist).
Purdue returns four starters and welcomes in four highly-regarded newcomers and transfers from last year's team that reached the Sweet 16 and posted a 24-12 overall record.
October 24 at Kentucky (Exhibition)
October 29 vs. UIndy (Exhibition)
November 4 vs. Evansville
November 7 vs. Oakland
November 13 vs. Alabama
November 16 vs. Akron
November 20, 21 at Baha Mar Championship
November 28 vs. Eastern Illinois
December 6 vs. Iowa State
December 13 vs. Marquette
December 20 vs. Auburn – Indy Classic
December 29 vs. Kent State
The Boilermakers continue to boast one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules, ranking 18th a year ago (third among high-major programs) in non-conference strength of schedule. That came on the heels of ranking second during the 2023-24 season and 32nd during the 2022-23 campaign.
This year's upcoming schedule figures to be almost as difficult. According to the latest ESPN top 25 released last week, The Boilermakers are set to face No. 10 Kentucky in an exhibition game, No. 13 Iowa State, No. 15 Auburn and No. 21 Alabama, as well as a strong Marquette squad in non-conference play. In addition, Purdue will play in the Baha Mar Championship the week before Thanksgiving at the Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas. Teams have not yet been finalized for that tournament.
Big Ten teams ranked in the ESPN top 25 include No. 8 Michigan, No. 14 UCLA, No. 17 Wisconsin, No. 20 Michigan State and No. 24 Ohio State as well as Illinois and Oregon in the "next in line" category.
The Boilermakers will also face a stiff test of mid-major programs which include Oakland (2024 NCAA Tournament second round), Akron (2025 MAC regular-season and Tournament champion) and Kent State (NIT Quarterfinalist).
Purdue returns four starters and welcomes in four highly-regarded newcomers and transfers from last year's team that reached the Sweet 16 and posted a 24-12 overall record.
October 24 at Kentucky (Exhibition)
- Lexington, Kentucky / Rupp Arena
- No. 10 in ESPN way-too-early top 25
- 2024-25 Record: 24-12 (10-8 SEC)
- Postseason: NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 14 / 16
- Series: Kentucky leads 6-2
- Last Meeting: Dec. 3, 1997 (Kentucky, 89-75)
October 29 vs. UIndy (Exhibition)
- West Lafayette, Indiana / Mackey Arena
- 2024-25 Record: 15-13 (9-11 GLVC)
- Postseason: None
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: Not Available
- Series: Purdue leads 4-0
- Last Meeting: Nov. 4, 2021 (Purdue, 86-64)
November 4 vs. Evansville
- West Lafayette, Indiana / Mackey Arena
- 2024-25 Record: 11-21 (8-12 MVC)
- Postseason: None
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 257 / 254
- Series: Purdue leads 9-5
- Last Meeting: Dec. 3, 2005 (Evansville, 75-69)
November 7 vs. Oakland
- West Lafayette, Indiana / Mackey Arena
- 2024-25 Record: 16-18 (11-9 Horizon)
- Postseason: None
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 193 / 174
- Series: Purdue leads 3-0
- Last Meeting: Dec. 1, 2020 (Purdue, 93-50)
November 13 vs. Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama / Coleman Coliseum
- No. 21 in ESPN way-too-early top 25
- 2024-25 Record: 28-9 (13-5 SEC)
- Postseason: NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 6 / 6
- Series: Purdue leads 7-3
- Last Meeting: Nov. 15, 2024 (Purdue, 87-78)
November 16 vs. Akron
- West Lafayette, Indiana / Mackey Arena
- 2024-25 Record: 28-7 (17-1 MAC)
- Postseason: NCAA Tournament First Round
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 91 / 100
- Series: Purdue leads 2-0
- Last Meeting: Dec. 27, 2000 (Purdue, 98-67)
November 20, 21 at Baha Mar Championship
- Nassau, The Bahamas
- Teams to be Announced
- Series: First Appearance
November 28 vs. Eastern Illinois
- West Lafayette, Indiana / Mackey Arena
- 2024-25 Record: 12-19 (8-12 OVC)
- Postseason: None
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 318 / 316
- Series: Purdue leads 5-0
- Last Meeting: Nov. 20, 2013 (Purdue, 83-55)
December 6 vs. Iowa State
- West Lafayette, Indiana / Mackey Arena
- No. 13 in ESPN way-too-early top 25
- 2024-25 Record: 25-10 (13-7 Big 12)
- Postseason: NCAA Tournament Second Round
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 9 / 11
- Series: Purdue leads 3-2
- Last Meeting: March 18, 2017 (Purdue, 80-76)
December 13 vs. Marquette
- West Lafayette, Indiana / Mackey Arena
- 2024-25 Record: 23-11 (13-7 Big East)
- Postseason: NCAA Tournament First Round
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 26 / 29
- Series: Purdue leads 11-2
- Last Meeting: Nov. 19, 2024 (Marquette, 76-58)
December 20 vs. Auburn – Indy Classic
- Indianapolis, Indiana / Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- No. 15 in ESPN way-too-early top 25
- 2024-25 Record: 32-6 (15-3 SEC)
- Postseason: NCAA Tournament National Semifinals
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 2 / 4
- Series: Tied 2-2
- Last Meeting: Dec. 21, 2024 (Auburn, 87-69)
December 29 vs. Kent State
- West Lafayette, Indiana / Mackey Arena
- 2024-25 Record: 24-12 (11-7 MAC)
- Postseason: NIT Tournament Quarterfinals
- Final NET / KenPom Ranking: 128 / 111
- Series: Purdue leads 2-1
- Last Meeting: Dec. 1, 1971 (Purdue, 82-75)