The non-conference opponents’ update takes its rightful place back on Wednesdays this week. It was an eventful night last night across college basketball as Louisville, Butler, and Maryland, three of the few remaining unbeaten teams, all lost within a span of about two hours. That takes some of the shine off of next week’s varsity game at the Crossroads Classic, but that will still be a chance at a quality victory. Having Butler, Virginia, and VCU as resume wins out of conference will be as good as any out of conference wins in the country, especially after Virginia righted things on Sunday.
Purdue Boilermakers Profile
Record: 6-3, 1-0 Big Ten
NET: Not released yet
KenPom: 6
Tier 1 Wins (KenPom) Home 1-30; Neutral 1-50; Away 1-75: 10 Virginia (Home), 40 VCU (Neutral)
Tier 2 Wins (KenPom): Home 31-75 Neutral 51-100; Away 76-135: None
Tier 1 Wins (NET) Home 1-30; Neutral 1-50; Away 1-75: Not released yet
Tier 2: Home 31-75 (NET) Neutral 51-100; Away 76-135: Not released yet
Bad Losses (sub-100 NET OR KenPom): None
Green Bay Phoenix (3-7, 0-0 Horizon League) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 208 – Green Bay had a pair of road games last week and lost both. It fell 93-80 at Eastern Illinois, then last night 79-66 at Central Florida. This weekend the Phoenix host Kentucky slayer Evansville.
Texas Longhorns (8-1, 0-0 Big 12) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 45 – Texas is still playing good basketball, as it got a nice 60-50 win over Texas A&M in Fort Worth that was MOST CERTAINLY NOT A RIVALRY game. On Saturday we get some schedule crossover as they host Central Michigan.
Marquette Golden Eagles (7-2, 0-0 Big East) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 25 – Marquette got a nice road win 73-65 at Kansas State on Saturday that will definitely keep them as an NCAA team all season long. That’s good, because it makes sure that this doesn’t fall into “bad loss” territory.
Chicago State Cougars (4-7, 0-0 WAC) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 351 – Chicago State almost made it two road wins in a row, but they fell 80-74 at Tennessee State on Firday. They even moved up another spot in the KenPom, so they are now ahead of TWO teams (Delaware State and Mississippi Valley State).
Jacksonville State (2-5, 0-0 Ohio Valley) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 255 – The Gamecocks lost an in-state game 67-62 in overtime at Alabama A&M on Saturday. Tonight they host Troy before hosting Evansville on Monday. Their toughest remaining game is at Tennessee on December 21.
Virginia Commonwealth Rams (7-2, 0-0 Atlantic 10) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 40 – VCU has only had one game since the tournament down in Florida, but it was an important rivalry win over Old Dominion 69-57 on Saturday. This weekend they are at Missouri State.
Florida State Seminoles (7-2, 0-1 ACC) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 15 – FSU stepped back into ACC play this week with a 72-53 win over Clemson on Sunday. They next go on a directional school tour with North Florida, South Florida, and North Alabama in their next three.
Virginia Cavaliers (8-1, 1-0 ACC) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 10 – Virginia’s stout defense returned in a 56-47 win over North Carolina on Sunday, which was great for them as they bounced back from the Purdue loss quite well. They are now off until next Wednesday when they host Stony Brook.
Ohio Bobcats (7-3, 0-0 MAC) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 166 – After an 81-54 win over Tennessee Tech, Ohio is now 7-3 and riding a streak of four straight wins. They also do not have a game before hosting Purdue. The magic number for them is 135. If they can get into the top 135 of NET and KenPom that becomes a nice little tier 2 win.
Butler Bulldogs (9-1, 0-0 Big East) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 11 – Butler continues to impress against a very tough schedule. On Saturday they beat Florida at Hinkle 76-62 before falling last night at Baylor 53-52. They have major conference wins over Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Stanford, and Florida now, so they will not be intimidated by Purdue. In fact, they might be the best team in the state this year.
Central Michigan Chippewas (7-3, 0-0 MAC) – NET: Not released yet, KenPom: 193 – The Chips won 84-75 against Tennessee-Martin on Friday, but lost 77-55 at Valparaiso on Sunday. This is going to be a tune-up game before returning to conference play. No more, no less.