Indiana Men’s Basketball Aims for First Ranked Win Against No. 12 Purdue
Indiana men’s basketball is set to face No. 12 Purdue in a highly anticipated matchup. This game will provide the Hoosiers with the opportunity to secure their first victory against a ranked opponent this season. After experiencing a rough patch with four consecutive losses, Indiana rebounded with a convincing 82-59 win over Rutgers.
Recent Performance
The victory against Rutgers was significant for Indiana. It marked their first road win against the Scarlet Knights since 2018. Key contributors included:
- Tucker DeVries: Scored 22 points, including 16 in the first half.
- Lamar Wilkerson: Added 27 points.
- Nick Dorn: Contributed 23 points in his return from injury.
DeVries, the Hoosiers’ head coach, praised his team’s defensive efforts, especially from Sam Alexis, who recorded a career-high six blocks.
Upcoming Challenge Against Purdue
Indiana’s next challenge comes against the Boilermakers on Tuesday night. This rivalry game will take place at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall at 9 p.m. ET. The matchup marks the first time DeVries will coach against Purdue while leading Indiana.
Purdue’s Strengths
Purdue has established itself as a formidable opponent this season. They boast a record of 17-3 and a 7-2 mark in Big Ten play. Key players for Purdue include:
- Braden Smith: A first-team All-American averaging 15.2 points and leading the nation with 9.3 assists per game.
- Oscar Cluff: Contributes 11.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
- Trey Kaufman-Renn: Adds 12.5 points and tops the team with 8.6 rebounds per contest.
Purdue excels in offensive rebounding, averaging 11.2 offensive boards per game and ranking as the top team in the Big Ten for three-point shooting at 38.3%.
Game Insights
The upcoming clash is the 222nd meeting between Indiana and Purdue. It will be a test of Indiana’s ability to conquer strong competition, especially after their recent victory over Rutgers. Coverage of the game will be available on Peacock.
