Compelling college basketball on Friday nights hasn’t always been a thing, but now it is. On the first Friday of this month we had St. John’s over UConn. Last Friday it was Wisconsin over Michigan. This Friday it’s a Big Ten showdown between in-state rivals that have seen better days.
This Friday it’s Indiana at Purdue.
Both have double-digit losses, but that only makes the game bigger because it means the loser of this game will enter next week to avoid a three-game losing streak. In other words, it’s a huge game for both. But I’d say it’s bigger for Purdue than it is for Indiana, if only because if the Boilermakers lose, they’ll A) suffer their first Q2 loss of the season, and B) suffer their fourth loss at Mackey Arena in the same season for the first time since 2013-14.
The truth is, Indiana is about where it should be. The Hoosiers started 38th on KenPom.com and are currently 37th on KenPom.com. But Purdue was the preseason No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, meaning the Boilermakers aren’t expected to post a double-digit loss at home — but this is the second time they’ve done so this season.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET.
You can watch it on Fox.
Purdue is listed as an 11.5-point favorite. One of the storylines being discussed is Braden Smith’s quest for the NCAA’s all-time assist record. He currently has 986 in his career. That ranks fifth all-time – one spot ahead of former East Tennessee State star Keith “Mister” Jennigs, one spot below former LIU Brooklyn ace Jason Brickman.
Bracketology Bubble Watch: Miami (Ohio), VCU start huge weekend ahead of NCAA Tournament cutline
David Cobb
Top 25 and 1 rankings
#College #Basketball #Rankings #Rivals #Indiana #Purdue #face #compelling #showdown #Friday #night