Purdue Big Ten Basketball Conference Foes Announced

We are now one step closer to knowing the full 2016-17 Purdue men's basketball schedule. In fact, we are only waiting on four non-conference games now. This morning the Big Ten announced the home and away opponents for the Big Ten season:

Purdue's home-and-away series will be with Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and Penn State.

Meanwhile, Purdue will host single-play home games against Illinois, Minnesota, Rutgers and Wisconsin. Purdue's road games will come against Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio State.

Finalized dates, times and television assignments will come at a later date.

Join me in saying "IT'S ABOUT F***ING TIME the conference made sure Purdue and Indiana played twice every year as God intends. A home and home with Sparty is also very nice. Iowa is the only team that Purdue gets home and away for a second straight season.

For the road single-play games Purdue has a nice slate. Generally, Purdue has struggled at Ohio State (only one win ever at the Schott), but the Buckeyes are a step behind where they usually are. Purdue choked away a game at Michigan this past year, and a trip to Maryland will be tough.

Getting Big Ten favorite Wisconsin just once, and at home, is a gift.

Here is the current non-conference schedule:

TBA: NJIT

TBA: McNeese State (possibly the season opener since they were supposed to open at LSU)

November 14: Villanova (Gavitt Tipoff Games)

November 22: Cancun Challenge vs. Utah State

November 23: Cancun Challenge vs. Auburn or Texas Tech

November 30: at Louisville (ACC/Big Ten Challenge)

December 6: vs. Arizona State at Madison Square Garden (Jimmy V. Classic)

December 17: vs. Notre Dame at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Crossroads Classic)

December 19: Western Illinois

December 21: Norfolk State

This now means that in ESPN's Way Too Early Top 25 Mackey Arena will host:

#2 Villanova

#8 Wisconsin

#10 Michigan State

#11 Indiana