Purdue won’t have to wait long to find out how it measures up this season. The Boilermakers open Monday against No. 15 Gonzaga in Las Vegas, one half of a nationally televised doubleheader that also features Arizona and UCLA. The matchup carries extra weight for Purdue: the AP notes that the program’s 79-week run in the poll ended with the preseason rankings, while Gonzaga starts the year ranked. A strong opening performance would give Purdue an immediate chance to change the conversation.
The opening game has a bigger stage
Vegas baby!
The game is part of the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena, where Purdue and Gonzaga tip at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV and HBO Max. Gonzaga’s schedule lists the game at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time, followed by Arizona-UCLA in the same building. That gives the Boilermakers a national window to show where they stand against a program that entered the preseason poll at No. 15.
For Purdue, the first question is whether the team can look settled against a ranked opponent right away. An opener can’t answer every question about a season, but this one will offer an early read on Purdue’s execution, shot-making and ability to handle a high-level opponent. Gonzaga’s ranking makes this a sharper first test than a low-profile home opener.
The game also sets up a useful comparison with the night’s second contest. Arizona is No. 5 in the preseason AP poll and UCLA is No. 22, so the Las Vegas doubleheader gives fans two games involving ranked teams and a chance to compare contenders before conference play begins. Purdue is the only team in the first game that enters outside the AP Top 25, which gives the Boilermakers an obvious opportunity to make an opening-night statement.
What's at stake
A win over Gonzaga would not erase the work Purdue has ahead, but it would immediately give the Boilermakers a meaningful result and quiet the poll conversation. Gonzaga can make its own case with a win, too. The season starts with a nationally ranked opponent across the court and a national audience watching.
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