WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The final piece of Purdue's non-conference schedule was announced today as the CBS Sports Network revealed the Boilermakers will take on VCU in the opening round of the Emerald Coast Classic in Destin, Florida, on Nov. 29.
Tennessee and Florida State will meet in the other side of the bracket. All four teams in the field reached the NCAA Tournament with Purdue reaching the Elite Eight, Tennessee and Florida State advancing to the Sweet 16 and VCU falling to UCF in the first round. The field is regarded as one of the strongest of the exempt tournaments this coming season.
VCU won the only previous meeting with Purdue, coming in the 2011 NCAA Tournament second round.
The Rams posted a 25-8 overall record a year ago, winning the Atlantic 10 regular-season championship with a 16-2 record. Head coach Mike Rhoades returns all five starters, led by senior guard Marcus Evans (13.6 PPG, 3.2 APG). Three other returnees averaged double digits in scoring.
VCU had one of the top defenses in America a year ago, holding opponents to 61.9 points per game, 38.7 percent shooting from the field and 28.5 percent from long distance. The Rams forced 16.2 turnovers per game, ranking eighth nationally in turnover percentage defense. VCU was seventh nationally in defensive efficiency.
The Rams are ranked in nearly all of the preseason top-25 polls.
Purdue lost three starters but returns several key contributors from last year's Elite Eight squad. Nojel Eastern and Matt Haarms are returning starters as juniors, and regulars Evan Boudreaux, Aaron Wheeler, Eric Hunter Jr., Trevion Williams and Sasha Stefanovic all return after strong seasons. Head coach Matt Painter also welcomes a highly-regarded freshman class and high-scoring grad transfer Jahaad Proctor.
Season tickets are available at the Purdue Athletics ticket office in Mackey Arena, by calling 800.49SPORT or online at PurdueSports.com.
Tennessee and Florida State will meet in the other side of the bracket. All four teams in the field reached the NCAA Tournament with Purdue reaching the Elite Eight, Tennessee and Florida State advancing to the Sweet 16 and VCU falling to UCF in the first round. The field is regarded as one of the strongest of the exempt tournaments this coming season.
VCU won the only previous meeting with Purdue, coming in the 2011 NCAA Tournament second round.
The Rams posted a 25-8 overall record a year ago, winning the Atlantic 10 regular-season championship with a 16-2 record. Head coach Mike Rhoades returns all five starters, led by senior guard Marcus Evans (13.6 PPG, 3.2 APG). Three other returnees averaged double digits in scoring.
VCU had one of the top defenses in America a year ago, holding opponents to 61.9 points per game, 38.7 percent shooting from the field and 28.5 percent from long distance. The Rams forced 16.2 turnovers per game, ranking eighth nationally in turnover percentage defense. VCU was seventh nationally in defensive efficiency.
The Rams are ranked in nearly all of the preseason top-25 polls.
Purdue lost three starters but returns several key contributors from last year's Elite Eight squad. Nojel Eastern and Matt Haarms are returning starters as juniors, and regulars Evan Boudreaux, Aaron Wheeler, Eric Hunter Jr., Trevion Williams and Sasha Stefanovic all return after strong seasons. Head coach Matt Painter also welcomes a highly-regarded freshman class and high-scoring grad transfer Jahaad Proctor.
Season tickets are available at the Purdue Athletics ticket office in Mackey Arena, by calling 800.49SPORT or online at PurdueSports.com.