The final piece of Purdue’s non-conference men’s basketball schedule may have fallen into place according to Jon Rothstein:
NEWS: Matchups are set for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, per sources.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 28, 2021
Duke at OSU
Louisville at MSU
FSU at Purdue
IU at Cuse
Michigan at UNC
Nebraska at NC St
UW at GT
Iowa at UVA
ND at Illinois
Clemson at RU
Miami at PSU
Minn. at Pitt
NW at Wake
VT at MDhttps://t.co/3S0mVBDABg
Florida State, a recent nemesis to Purdue, appears to be back on the schedule. Purdue has had a number of narrow losses to the Seminoles in recent years. In the 2018 Challenge Purdue lost 73-72 on a basket from Trent Forrest with 5.2 seconds left despite 24 from Carsen Edwards and 21 from Ryan Cline. A year later Purdue played Florida State in the Emerald Coast Classic and lost 63-60 in overtime. Again, it was Forrest who hit the typing basket in regulation, but Purdue had three chances in the last 20 seconds of overtime to take the lead, but could not convert.
The good news is that Forrest is gone and playing for the Utah Jazz now. This will mark FSU’s first trip ever to Mackey Arena, and they are 4-0 all-time against Purdue. That includes a 2-0 mark in Tallahassee in the 2005 and 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenges.
I actually like this one a lot. Florida State was a Sweet 16 team a year ago and finished tied with Virginia as ACC champs (though they played two fewer games due to COVID concerns). It is a quality matchup against a solid opponent that has been a top 15 team for several seasons They have made three consecutive Sweet 16s and were in the Elite 8 in 2018. It is a game that will definitely be a challenge.
YOUR FULL 2021-22 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
November 4 vs. Indianapolis (exhibition)
November 9 vs. Bellarmine
November 12 vs. Indiana State
November 16 vs. Wright State
November 20 vs. North Carolina in Hall of Fame Tip-Off, Uncasville, CT
November 21 vs. Villanova or Tennessee in Hall of Fame Tip-Off, Uncasville, CT
November 26 vs. Omaha
November 30 vs. Florida State (ACC/Big Ten Challange)
December 12 vs. North Carolina State in Brooklyn, NY (Hall of Fame Classic)
December 18 vs. Butler at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Crossroads Classic)
December 20 vs. Incarnate Word
December 29 vs. Nicholls