2020 Space Coast Challenge: Purdue vs. Liberty Open Thread

IT’S BASKETBALL DAY!!!!!

For the first time in many years Purdue is not a preseason top 25 team. An NCAA Tournament berth is not a guarantee with such a young team and a brutal Big Ten slate ahead. Still, we get Purdue basketball and the chance to see the next generation come through. Five freshmen are going to play major minutes this season. Purdue’s upperclassmen consist of two redshirt juniors in their fourth year of the program and two regular juniors.

It is definitely going to be interesting to see how this team comes together over time, but if they overachieve, the 2021-22 season is going to be a lot of fun. Because of COVID this feels like a free year of development, so let’s make the most of it.

Space Coast Challenge

Opponent: Liberty Flames (0-0)

Location: Melbourne, FL

Venue: Titan Fieldhouse, East Florida State College (Capacity 1,500)

Odds: Purdue by 11

Time: 5:30pm ET

TV: CBS Sports Network

Blog Representation: A Sea of Red

2019-20 Record: 30-4, 13-3 Atlantic Sun (Atlantic Sun Regular season and Tournament champions)

NCAA Tournament History: 4 appearances, last in 2019 (technically would have appeared in 2020), reached Second Round in 2019

Series with Purdue: First Meeting

Last Purdue win: None

Last Liberty win: None

Coach: Ritchie McKay (154-87 in 8th season at Liberty, 319-245 overall)