Purdue Hits a Rough Patch, But the Season Is Far From Over
Just a week ago, Purdue was sitting atop the Big Ten standings, looking every bit like a No. 1 seed in waiting. Fast forward three games, and the Boilermakers are staring down a three-game losing streak that’s raised more than a few eyebrows in West Lafayette and beyond.
The margins have been razor-thin - 11 points total across the three losses - and in two of those games, Purdue was leading with under four minutes to go. That’s the kind of stretch that can flip a season on its head.
But let’s not hit the panic button just yet. There’s still plenty of basketball left - 10 conference games, to be exact - and every goal Purdue set at the start of the year is still within reach.
If this team finds its rhythm again, they’re capable of running the table, stacking up six more Tier 1 wins, and putting themselves right back in the Big Ten title conversation. The path to a No. 1 seed?
Still open. The opportunity to make a deep March run?
Still very much alive.
Now, here’s the reality check: Purdue doesn’t look like itself right now. Defensively, they’ve struggled mightily, especially when it comes to guarding the perimeter.
Opponents are getting clean looks from deep, and they’re cashing in. That’s been a major factor in all three losses.
On the boards, Trey Kaufman-Renn has been a non-factor lately - a surprising turn that’s disrupted Purdue’s usual dominance in the paint and hurt their ability to control tempo.
Offensively, things haven’t been much smoother. Fletcher Loyer is in a shooting slump, and while Braden Smith continues to bring energy and production, he’s clearly pressing.
That’s led to some uncharacteristic turnovers and fast-break opportunities the other way. The pressure of trying to do too much is starting to show.
And that’s what makes this stretch so frustrating - because we know how good this team can be. We saw it when Purdue dismantled Texas Tech on a neutral floor.
We saw it when they handled Wisconsin at home with ease. This team has shown flashes of being elite, and that’s what makes the current skid feel like such a gut punch.
The pieces are there. The potential is there.
It’s just a matter of putting it all back together.
The next two games come at just the right time. Purdue faces Maryland and Oregon - two teams sitting near the bottom of their respective leagues with a combined 2-16 record in conference play.
These are must-win games, not just in the standings, but for confidence, chemistry, and momentum. Win those, and suddenly the Feb. 10 matchup at Nebraska becomes a statement game - a chance to show the Big Ten (and the country) that Purdue is still a serious threat.
Purdue fans have every reason to believe this team can turn things around. There’s no sign of internal collapse - just a team that’s hit a rough patch and needs to recalibrate.
The resume still holds up. There are no bad losses.
And the Tier 1 wins? They stack up with anyone in the country.
Purdue’s Resume at a Glance:
- Bracket Matrix Consensus Seed: 3
- Tier 1 Wins (KenPom): Alabama (Away), Texas Tech (Neutral), Iowa (Home), Auburn (Neutral), Wisconsin (Away), USC (Away)
- Tier 2 Wins (KenPom): Washington (Home), Akron (Home)
- Tier 1 Wins (NET): Texas Tech (Neutral), Alabama (Away), Iowa (Home), Auburn (Neutral), Wisconsin (Away), USC (Away)
- Tier 2 Wins (NET): Akron (Home), Washington (Home)
- Bad Losses: None
That win over Texas Tech still shines the brightest - a complete performance against a team that’s now surging in the Big 12. The Red Raiders have taken down Baylor and Houston in the last week alone, and that win remains a showcase of Purdue’s ceiling when everything clicks.
Around the Opponents:
- Alabama split their last two, losing to Tennessee but bouncing back with a dominant win over Missouri. Still a strong win for Purdue.
- Akron is rolling in the MAC and remains a potential second-bid contender with a big game against Kent State coming up.
- Texas Tech is red-hot and climbing in both NET and KenPom.
That win continues to age like fine wine.
- Auburn has won three straight and is firmly in the tournament mix - another quality feather in Purdue’s cap.
- USC, Iowa, and Wisconsin all remain solid Tier 1 road wins, adding depth to the Boilermakers’ resume.
As for some of the other non-conference matchups:
- Oakland dropped a surprising game to IUPUI but rebounded with a win over Detroit. Still near the top of the Horizon.
- Memphis is struggling, dropping games to Tulsa and Wichita State - that win has lost some shine.
- Iowa State has bounced back from its own skid and is now firmly in the national conversation again.
- Marquette, on the other hand, has been a disappointment this season, but did pick up a nice win over Creighton.
Bottom line: Purdue’s resume is still strong. The team’s ceiling hasn’t changed.
And with Matt Painter at the helm, there’s no reason to think this group can’t right the ship. But it starts now.
The margin for error has shrunk, and the next two games are about more than just wins - they’re about identity.
We’ve seen what this team can be. Now it’s time for them to show it again.