Start the Countdown: Return of Purdue Basketball Just 100 Days Away
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Pat yourselves on the backs, Purdue fans. You've made it to a pivotal milestone on the calendar, as now you only have to wait 100 more days until the Boilermakers return to the basketball court.
Wednesday, July 16 marks the point when there are only 100 days until Purdue begins the 2025-26 college basketball season. Everything starts on Friday, Oct. 24 when the Boilermakers travel to Rupp Arena in Lexington for a showdown with Kentucky in an exhibition game.
A tipoff time and television information for the exhibition game has not been announced at this time. Ticket information will also be released at a later date.
Purdue's first game in Mackey Arena will be on Wednesday, Oct. 29 when it hosts the University of Indianapolis. The regular season opener is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4 against Evansville at Mackey Arena.
The 2025-26 Purdue basketball season is one of major anticipation. The Boilermakers return seniors Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer, as well as sophomores Gicarri Harris, CJ Cox, and Raleigh Burgess. Daniel Jacobsen is also back from injury.
Additionally, Purdue has added some critical pieces to its roster for the upcoming season. The Boilermakers added 6-foot-11 center Oscar Cluff and 6-foot-7 wing Liam Murphy via the transfer portal. There are also two members of the 2025 recruiting class on the roster, guards Omer Mayer and Antione West Jr.
With the returning talent and new additions, Purdue is considered by many to be the No. 1 team in college basketball entering the 2025-26 season. The Boilers are already the favorites to win the Big Ten title and compete for a national championship.
You can certainly understand why there's so much hype and anticipation for the upcoming season in West Lafayette.
You're almost there, Purdue fans. Just 100 more days until you get to see your favorite team back in action, hoping to reach its second Final Four in the past three seasons.
Purdue basketball 2025-26 early season schedule
- Friday, Oct. 24: at Kentucky (exhibition game)
- Wednesday, Oct. 29: vs. University of Indianapolis (exhibition game)
- Tuesday, Nov. 4: vs. Evansville (regular season opener)
*Tipoff times will be announced at a later date
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Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.
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