Purdue has won back-to-back Big Ten regular-season titles, and on this final day of January, it is still in position to compete for another despite the departure of two-time National Player of the Year winner Zach Edey. Yes, the Boilermakers are two games back of Michigan State in the loss column of the conference standings. And, no, they will not have the luxury of hosting the Spartans this season; they only have one game scheduled against Michigan State, and it’ll be played next month inside the Breslin Center.
So it’s an uphill battle, that’s for sure.
But Purdue is still in the race, alone in second of the Big Ten and one game ahead of Michigan in the win-column of the conference standings. And the Boilermakers will have an opportunity to extend that lead over the Wolverines late Friday when they welcome Indiana to Mackey Arena.
Will this be Mike Woodson’s final game at Mackey?
Maybe.
Either way, that’s another storyline connected to this matchup — how one program is ranked 10th in Friday morning’s updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings, while the other (the one everybody calls a blue blood) is likely a little more than a month away from firing its coach after he finishes outside of the top five of the league standings for the third time in four years.
Indiana is 14-7 overall, 5-5 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have lost four of five. These days, you’re more likely to hear “Fire Woodson” chants inside Assembly Hall than you are to watch the home team win. It’s gotten ugly. And, barring a surprise, it’ll only get worse at Purdue, where the Hoosiers are 12.5-underdogs to their in-state rival that’s about to finish ahead of them in the Big Ten standings for the ninth consecutive year.
Top 25 And 1 rankings
As the college basketball season heats up, all eyes are on the upcoming rivalry showdown between Purdue and Indiana. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, but they are currently on opposite trajectories in the rankings.
Purdue has been on a tear lately, climbing up the rankings with impressive wins over top teams. Led by star players like Jaden Ivey and Trevion Williams, the Boilermakers are looking like serious contenders for the NCAA tournament. They currently sit near the top of the rankings and are poised to make a deep run in March Madness.
On the other hand, Indiana has struggled in recent weeks, dropping in the rankings after a string of losses. The Hoosiers have had a tough time finding consistency on both ends of the court, and they will need to turn things around quickly if they want to make a statement in the Big Ten.
Despite their differing trajectories, this rivalry game is sure to be a heated battle between two talented teams. Purdue will look to continue their winning streak and solidify their spot in the rankings, while Indiana will be hungry for a signature win to boost their tournament hopes.
Fans can expect an intense and competitive game when these two teams face off, with bragging rights and conference standings on the line. Make sure to tune in to see who comes out on top in this highly anticipated matchup.
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- College basketball rankings
- Purdue basketball
- Indiana basketball
- Rivalry showdown
- NCAA basketball rankings
- Big Ten basketball
- Purdue vs Indiana
- College basketball rivalry
- Purdue Boilermakers
- Indiana Hoosiers
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