2016-17 Purdue Men’s Basketball Big Ten Schedule Released

It’s HERE! It’s finally here! The complete 18-game Big Ten schedule has been released by the conference. Let’s get to it:

December 28 vs. Iowa – The Hawkeyes were the only team to win in Mackey Arena other than Purdue last season, and it took a monumental second half collapse for that to happen. The Boilers get a shot at redemption right from the start.

January 1 vs. Minnesota – Unless football pulls off a miracle to reach Pasadena we get New Year’s Day basketball at home! Take care of that New Year’s Eve hangover with a drubbing of hapless Minnesota.

January 5 at Ohio State – Purdue’s first road game is a tricky one. The Buckeyes are the only team in the Big Ten with a winning record over Purdue and the Boilers have only won once ever at the House that Crappy Furniture Built.

January 8 vs. Wisconsin – A huge early game in the Big Ten race, especially since the teams only meet once. Historically, the Badgers have not fared well in Mackey. Last year Caleb Swanigan and P.J. Thompson sent them packing on Senior Day.

January 12 at Iowa – Once again, Purdue plays Iowa twice and gets both out of the way early. The Hawkeyes swept Purdue last season.

January 17 vs. Illinois – In Champaign last year was Purdue’s worst game of the season. The Boilers turned the tables by crushing the Illini in Indy. Illinois should be better, but they are a team that has a long way to go.

January 21 vs. Penn State – Purdue should never lose to Penn State at home in basketball. Actually, Purdue should never lose to Penn State in basketball period.

January 24 at Michigan State – Another big game, this time on the road. You think the Izzone will remember that Caleb Swanigan was once a Michigan State recruit?

January 29 at Nebraska – The Cornhuskers always play well at home and seem to pick off at least one team they shouldn’t This could be a trap.

February 1 vs. Northwestern – The Wildcats should be a talented team and challenge for an NCAA bid. Let’s not give them a quality road win, okay?

February 4 at Maryland – Last season Maryland was one of the most disappointing teams in the country. They still have Melo Trimble, however, and won’t be easy to beat.

February 9 at Indiana – Finally, the Big Ten figured out that we should play Indiana twice. As long as Purdue plays the entire game as opposed to the final five minutes like it did this past season it should have a chance. Regardless, this could be the biggest pair of Indiana games in decades.

February 14 vs. Rutgers – Happy Valentine’s Day! The Big Ten gave our favorite basketball team a Big Ten victory for Valentine’s Day! I would call this a trap game, but that would imply that Rutgers had a basketball team.

February 18 vs. Michigan State – There are some dynamite home games on the schedule this year, but this is always a good one. Purdue needs to defend home court if it wants to win the conference. This is a possible GameDay game.

February 21 at Penn State – As long as we don’t fall asleep in the Bryce Jordan Mausoleum we should be good.

February 25 at Michigan – yet another game Purdue had won last season before blowing it in the final minutes. Hopefully this team can close on the road.

February 28 vs. Indiana – Senior Day vs. Indiana! Only Spike Albrecht and Jon McKeeman are seniors, but this could be the final home game for Swanigan, Vince Edwards, and Isaac Haas if they go crazy and do something silly like win the Big Ten and reach a Final Four. Also, it is Indiana.

March 4/5 at Northwestern – Will Welsh-Ryan Arena finally get to see a Big Ten champion crowned on its floor? It probably depends on if we lock things up early or not.

I am excited already. Just 77 Days until Purdue basketball returns.