Live Game Thread & Updates for No. 6 Purdue vs. No. 21 Auburn

INDIANAPOLIS — For the fourth time this season, Purdue finds itself in a top-25 showdown. This time, the sixth-ranked Boilermakers take on No. 21 Auburn in the Indy Classic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Follow along on Purdue Boilermakers On SI throughout the evening as Purdue battles Auburn. You can refresh this page or frequently check back on Purdue Boilermakers on SI for frequent updates, news, and analysis for today's game.

#6 Purdue vs. #21 Auburn live game blog

2nd half

FINAL — Purdue 88, Auburn 60. Trey Kaufman-Renn leads the way with 18 points for the Boilermakers. Braden Smith was outstanding, scoring 11 points and dishing out 14 assists. CJ Cox had 14 points, Gicarri Harris had 12, and Jack Benter scored 11.

1:45 — This game is over, but Jack Benter gets an easy transition dunk and Purdue fans at Gainbridge go crazy. He has 11 points this afternoon.

3:59 — We've reached the final media timeout of the game. Fletcher Loyer continues to struggle from three-point range, but it really doesn't matter. Purdue leads this game 77-55.

6:19 — Oscar Cluff gets whistled for a foul. Purdue fans don't like it, but it brings us to the under-8 media timeout. Purdue leads Auburn 73-55.

9:16 — Gicarri Harris has hit a pair of big three pointers and Purdue now owns a 70-51 advantage. Steven Pearl took a timeout after Kevin Overton knocked down a triple of his own.

11:10 — Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford limps off the floor. I couldn't see what happened. Hopefully it's nothing serious for the star guard.

11:49 — The Purdue possession ends with a shot clock violation and we've reached the second media timeout of the second half. Purdue still leads 62-45. Braden Smith already has a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists. He also has 5 rebounds.

12:40 — Purdue leads 62-45. A loose ball went out of bounds and was ruled Auburn's ball. Matt Painter challenged the ruling and we have a timeout. The challenge fails and it remains Tigers ball.

15:46 — First media timeout of the second half and Purdue leads Auburn 55-40. Jack Benter took a charge on Auburn's Keyshawn Hall, a big-time play in this contest. The Boilers may be without Kaufman-Renn for a bit, as he has three fouls. CJ Cox is up to 14 points today.

16:43 — Trey Kaufman-Renn picks up his third foul and immediately heads to the bench.

17:52 — Purdue has already extended its lead to 52-34 early in the second half. CJ Cox had an awesome reverse layup that reminded me of E'Twaun Moore's circus shot against Ohio State many years ago.

1st half

HALF — Purdue was outstanding shooting the basketball that half. Boilers were 50% from three, 60.7% from the floor and 100% from the free throw line. They also won the rebounding battle 16 to 11 and had just 3 turnovers. That's a pretty good recipe for success, no matter who you are playing.

HALF — Purdue 46, Auburn 32. The Boilermakers hit their last four field goal attempts to end the first half and own a 14-point lead at the break. CJ Cox has shot extremely well, connecting on 4-of-6 shots from distance for 12 points. Trey Kaufman-Renn has 8 points and Fletcher Loyer, Oscar Cluff, and Braden Smith each have 6. Smith also has 8 assists and 4 rebounds.

Auburn is led by Kevin Overton, who scored 11 points. Keyshawn Hall has 7 and KeShawn Murphy with 5.

59.1 — Daniel Jacobsen picks up his second foul. Auburn's Kevin Overton steps to the free throw line but makes only 1. It's 44-30 Purdue.

2:41 — CJ Cox's hot shooting day continues, knocking down another big triple. Purdue owns a 37-27 leads at the final media timeout of the half. Cox is now up to 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting. Braden Smith has 6 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Daniel Jacobsen is doing some good things defensively, as he now has 2 blocks.

6:33 — It's a low-turnover game thus far, but a mistake by the Boilermakers with Oscar Cluff holding the ball too long and getting whistled for a shot clock violation. We only have three total turnovers thus far.

8:19 — Purdue's Oscar Cluff gets a bucket at the rim, then Auburn's Kaden Magwood immediately responds. Steven Pearl takes a timeout with the score 26-19 in favor of the Boilermakers. Both teams are doing work on the offensive glass. Auburn has 5 offensive rebounds and Purdue has 4. They are tied with 11 total boards.

9:27 — Braden Smith gets his first points of the game at the free throw line. A pair from the charity stripe gives Purdue a 24-17 lead on Auburn.

11:10 — Braden Smith has yet to score in this game but continues to make a big impact. He has 4 rebounds and 5 assists through the first 9 minutes. Purdue has a 17-13 lead on Auburn at the under-12 media timeout. CJ Cox is still Purdue's leading scorer with 6. Keyshawn Hall leads the Tigers with 5.

12:37 — The Boilermakers get buckets on back-to-back possessions to extend their lead to 17-9. It was a Jacobsen hook shot followed by a three-ball from Gicarri Harris.

13:14 — Purdue having some trouble finding the bucket, but the defense is still playing well. Auburn grabbed its first offensive rebound but Daniel Jacobsen was there for a block. He then got a bucket on the offensive end.

15:00 — We're at the first media timeout and Purdue owns a 12-7 advantage. The Boilermakers did an excellent job getting into the painted area to start this game, scoring their first six points in the key. Then CJ Cox knocked down a pair of triples to give the team a 5-point lead on Auburn.

Pregame

Purdue starters — #0 CJ Cox (G), #2 Fletcher Loyer (G), #3 Braden Smith (G), #4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (F), #45 Oscar Cluff (C).

Auburn starters — #0 Tahaad Pettiford (G), #1 Kevin Overton (G), #7 Keyshawn Hall (G), #3 KeShawn Murphy (F), #33 Sebastian Williams-Adams (F).

Purdue has a clean bill of health for today's game. Nobody is listed as "out" or "questionable" on the Big Ten's availability report.

Tipoff between No. 6 Purdue and No. 21 Auburn is set for approximately 6:30 p.m. ET. It will begin after the first game between Northwestern and Butler. Both games will air on Peacock.

How to watch #6 Purdue vs. #21 Auburn

What: Indy Classic/Non-conference game
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
Tipoff time: 6:30 p.m. ET (approximately)
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. (18,345)
TV: Peacock
App: Peacock
TV announcers: Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Robbie Hummel (analyst), Cayleigh Griffin (reporter)
Radio: Purdue Global Radio Network — WAZY 96.5 FM (Lafayette); WKJG 100.9 FM (Fort Wayne); WNDE 1260 AM (Indianapolis); WGBF 1280 (Evansville); Sirius XM 85; View all listings: CLICK HERE
Radio announcers: Rob Blackman (play-by-play), Bobby Riddell (analyst), Wes Scott (producer).
Live stats: Purdue.StatBroadcast.com

Preview

Saturday's game is the second of a two-year agreement between Purdue and Auburn. Last year, the Tigers throttled the Boilermakers 87-69 in Birmingham.

But Auburn is bringing a much diffferent team into Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season. The Tigers still have star guard Tahaad Pettiford from last year's squad, but big-time players Keyshawn Hall and Keshawn Murphy both transferred into the program. This is a team that still has a lot of athleticism, but is continuing to develop team chemistry.

Purdue, on the other hand, returns 80% of its offensive production from last season and added a big-time center in Oscar Cluff. With Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn in the post and Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, and CJ Cox at the guard positions, the Boilers have tremendous balance.

How will the Boilermakers handle Auburn's athleticism? Can Purdue keep from fouling a Tigers team that shoots nearly 30 free throws per game?

On the flip side, Purdue's size in the post and its rebounding ability should cause problems for Auburn. If the Boilers' shooters are hitting from the perimeter, that's going to be another issue for the Tigers.

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