Daniel Jacobsen is on a heater, and right now, he’s making history for Purdue basketball one bucket at a time.
The 7-foot-4 sophomore center has knocked down 19 straight field goals - the longest made-shot streak in Purdue’s storied program history. He hasn’t missed since Nov. 16, when his first attempt against Akron rimmed out.
Since then? Nothing but net.
Literally.
Jacobsen’s streak will be on the line Tuesday night when the No. 1-ranked Boilermakers open Big Ten play on the road against Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. And while his role may not be that of a starter, his impact off the bench has been undeniable.
Let’s run it back. After that lone miss against Akron, Jacobsen finished 4-for-4.
Then came a perfect 3-for-3 outing against Memphis, followed by another clean sheet - 4-for-4 - in a win over then-No. 15 Texas Tech.
He capped off the run (so far) with a dominant 8-for-8 performance and career-best 24 points in Friday’s blowout win over Eastern Illinois.
That last game wasn’t just a personal milestone - it was a moment of Boilermaker history. With that eighth consecutive make, Jacobsen surpassed the previous school record of 15 straight field goals, held by George Faerber since March 1971.
“Things get easy for him when he can catch lobs and move freely,” head coach Matt Painter said. “But when guys are being really physical with him, he still has to be able to make those plays.”
That’s been the evolution of Jacobsen’s game. After a rough start to his college career - a fractured tibia ended his freshman season just one minute into the second game - he’s come back strong. Now healthy, he’s become a key contributor for a deep and dangerous Purdue squad.
Through seven games, Jacobsen is averaging 10.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in just under 16 minutes per game. He leads the team with 17 blocks and is shooting an eye-popping 73.7% from the field - just a tick behind starting big man Oscar Cluff, who’s hitting at a 73.8% clip.
Cluff, for his part, has been a steady force in the paint, averaging 11.7 points and 10.1 rebounds. Together, he and Jacobsen give Purdue one of the most efficient and physically imposing frontcourts in the country.
But this Purdue team isn’t just about size. It’s about balance - and Braden Smith is the one pulling the strings.
The All-American point guard dished out 10 assists in the win over Eastern Illinois, moving him into second place all-time in Big Ten history with 821 career assists. That puts him past Michigan State legend Mateen Cleaves (816) and within striking distance of the all-time leader, Cassius Winston (890). Smith is currently averaging 13.0 points and 9.0 assists per game, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision.
Fletcher Loyer continues to lead the Boilermakers in scoring at 16.1 points per game, while Trey Kaufman-Renn is averaging 14.8 points and a team-best 10.6 rebounds. Purdue is clicking on every level, and it shows - they’re 7-0, with marquee wins over then-No.
15 Texas Tech (86-56) in the Baha Mar Championship and a road victory over then-No. 8 Alabama (87-80).
Now comes the Big Ten grind, and Rutgers is up first.
The Scarlet Knights might not be ranked, but history says they won’t be intimidated by Purdue’s No. 1 status. They’ve beaten top-ranked Boilermaker teams twice in the last three seasons - including once in West Lafayette.
Rutgers comes in at 5-3, fresh off an 80-65 win over UNLV in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas. That win snapped a three-game losing streak that included a surprising home loss to Central Connecticut and defeats to ranked Tennessee and Notre Dame.
The spark in the win over UNLV came from big man Emmanuel Ogbole, who posted career highs with 21 points and 13 rebounds. He’s now leading Rutgers in rebounding (7.5 per game) and blocked shots (14), while averaging 7.0 points.
“He was fantastic from the start,” head coach Steve Pikiell said. “He worked his tail off.
I got after him big-time after last game and he never flinched. He was absolutely outstanding.”
Rutgers is led in scoring by Dylan Grant (15.6 points per game), who’s hit the 15-point mark five times already this season. Tariq Francis is the only other Scarlet Knight averaging double figures at 13.0 points.
Tuesday night’s matchup is more than just a conference opener - it’s a litmus test. Purdue is rolling, but Rutgers has a history of rising to the occasion against the nation’s best. And with Jacobsen chasing perfection, Smith rewriting the record books, and a deep rotation firing on all cylinders, the Boilermakers are looking every bit the part of a title contender.