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Yesterday marked 50 days to Purdue basketball, and we're about a week or so away from practices getting underway. As exciting as that is, there are three events coming up in the coming weeks where you can come out and meet this year's team:
BASKETBALL SEASON COMMUNITY TIPOFF
On Friday, October 2, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. ET, both teams will have a meet-and-greet at the downtown Lafayette Train Depot, where fans can meet the team, get autographs from their favorite players, play games with the Boilermakers and hear both coaches talk about the upcoming season. In addition, the men's team will be selling $10 student section tickets to community members for the Michigan game on Jan. 7, while tickets for the women's game against Indiana on Jan. 10, will be available for $5. The ticket deals will only be available for fans attending the Community Tipoff event and Fan Day on Oct. 24.
MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON-TICKET HOLDER APPRECIATION BRUNCH
On October 17, the men's basketball team will host a season-ticket holder appreciation brunch, beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET at Weist Plaza outside Mackey Arena, catered by Fresh City Market. Coach Painter will speak to the crowd in attendance and introduce the team, before holding an open practice for season-ticket holders only beginning at noon in Mackey Arena. While the practice is happening, live viewing of Purdue football's game at Wisconsin will be played on the video board. (Ed Note: Given football's recent history with Wisconsin, showing a snuff film is not the way to get people in Mackey.)
This will be the public's first opportunity to see the 2015-16 Boilermakers in action.
BASKETBALL FAN DAY
The final preseason event, the popular fan day, will take place during an open bye week for the Purdue football team on October 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET, in Mackey Arena. Beginning at 11 a.m., activities and autographs from both teams will be made available in the concourse level and will be followed by a men's intra-squad scrimmage beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET. During the event, the ticket office will be open, offering the same community day (mentioned above) for fans in attendance.