The Purdue Boilermakers enter the 2025–26 season with national title aspirations. Many around college basketball view them as the team to beat, not just in the Big Ten, but across the country.
High Expectations Meet Early Challenges
Before conference play begins, Purdue’s non-conference schedule offers a mix of tune-ups and heavyweight matchups that should prepare them for another deep March run.
November 4: Evansville Opens the Season
Purdue tips off its season a day later than most, hosting Missouri Valley foe Evansville. The Boilermakers’ superior size, depth, and defense should make this a comfortable home opener as Matt Painter uses the game to experiment with rotations.
November 7: Oakland Visits Mackey Arena
Oakland comes to West Lafayette just three days later. The Golden Grizzlies are known for being well-coached and tough-minded, but Mackey Arena is one of the hardest places to play in the nation. Expect Purdue to roll as they continue to build rhythm early.
November 13: Road Test at Alabama
Things get serious when Purdue heads south to face Nate Oats and Alabama. The Crimson Tide will try to push tempo, but Purdue’s disciplined approach and interior strength could dictate the pace. Purdue holds a 7–3 edge in the all-time series and took the last meeting in 2024. This early road test will show just how mature this group is.
November 16: Akron Returns to Mackey
Back home after the Alabama trip, Purdue welcomes Akron. The Zips should offer a good mid-major challenge, but Purdue’s balance and defensive edge will likely keep this one under control.
November 20: Memphis Matchup in the Bahamas
The Boilermakers head to the islands for a Thanksgiving tournament, opening against the Memphis Tigers. These teams haven’t met since 2005, when Memphis won handily. The Tigers have a 5–1 series lead, but Purdue’s physicality and experience should make this meeting much more competitive.
November 21: Texas Tech or Wake Forest Await
The second game in the Bahamas could pit Purdue against Texas Tech or Wake Forest. Either matchup presents value, Texas Tech brings elite toughness, while Wake offers athletic depth. Painter will be eager to see how his team handles back-to-back high-level games in a tournament setting.
November 28: Eastern Illinois Tune-Up
After returning from the islands, Purdue gets a brief breather against Eastern Illinois. Expect this to be a reset game before the schedule stiffens again in December.
December 6: Home Clash with Iowa State
The first Saturday in December brings Iowa State to West Lafayette for a Big Ten–Big 12 showdown. Purdue knocked out the Cyclones in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and leads the series 3–2. This will be a battle of defensive intensity and rebounding—two things the Boilermakers excel at.
December 13: Marquette Visits for a Rematch
Marquette dominated Purdue in their 2024 meeting, winning 76–58. That memory should provide all the motivation the Boilermakers need. Expect Mackey Arena to be electric as Purdue looks to even the all-time series at three wins apiece.
December 20: Auburn Showdown in Indianapolis
The Boilermakers stay in-state but head to Indianapolis for a neutral-site clash with Auburn. It’s the return game from last year’s meeting in Birmingham, and both fanbases travel well. The series is tied 2–2, and this could easily be one of the most entertaining games of the early season.
December 29: Kent State Caps Non-Conference Play
The final non-conference test comes against Kent State, giving Painter one last chance to fine-tune rotations and chemistry before Big Ten play ramps up.
Setting the Tone for a Title Push
The Boilermakers won’t have many easy nights in their non-conference slate, but that’s by design. Painter’s group will face multiple tournament-level programs, travel across the country, and play on some of college basketball’s biggest stages. If Purdue can get through this stretch without too much damangeit’ll, they’ll enter 2026 as one of the most complete and battle-tested teams in the nation.