While much of the college basketball world spent last week battling through high-profile tournaments and showcase events, Purdue took a different path - a quiet one. The Boilermakers played just once, coasting to a dominant Friday afternoon win over Eastern Illinois. It wasn’t exactly a marquee matchup, but when your big-stage moment came early in the season, you earn the right to catch your breath while others scrap for resume wins.
And despite the light workload, Purdue stays right where it’s been - atop the national rankings. That No. 1 spot remains theirs for now, but there’s a new contender making noise out west.
Michigan just put together a statement week in Las Vegas. The Wolverines ran the table at the Players Era Championship, knocking off San Diego State, Auburn, and Gonzaga - three quality opponents that should carry weight come March.
That trio of wins isn’t just good for the resume; it’s the kind of run that builds belief in a locker room and turns heads across the country. Michigan is starting to look like a team that’s not just talented, but tough - and that’s a dangerous combination.
But now the calendar flips to December, and things start to get real for Purdue. Big Ten play is here, and the Boilermakers open their conference slate with a trip to Rutgers - a place that’s quietly become one of the trickier stops in the league, especially when Purdue’s wearing that No. 1 next to its name. Let’s just say history hasn’t always been kind to the Boilermakers in Piscataway under those circumstances.
And if that wasn’t enough, Purdue follows that up by welcoming a ranked Iowa State squad to Mackey Arena. The Cyclones bring a physical, defensive-minded brand of basketball that can frustrate even the most efficient offenses. It’s a two-game stretch that should give us a much clearer picture of just how battle-tested this Purdue team really is.
The Boilermakers have looked every bit the part of a national title contender so far. But now, the margin for error shrinks.
Conference play has a way of exposing weaknesses and testing depth. If Purdue wants to keep that top ranking - and more importantly, build toward something bigger in March - this week is where the real work begins.