WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Matchups for the 2021 ACC/Big Ten Women's Basketball Challenge were released Monday, setting Purdue to host Georgia Tech at Mackey Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 1. The two clubs will meet for the third time in the event and fourth time in history.
The showdown cements the 2021-22 non-conference home campaign at seven games. Season tickets are still available for Mackey Arena. For more information on how you can be a part of this monumental season, call the Hayes Family Ticket Office at 765.494.3194 or click here.
The ACC/Big Ten Showdown returns after a hiatus during the 2020-21 season. Purdue is 3-11 all-time in the contest but split the last four games. Georgia Tech is now tied as the Boilermakers' most-common opponent along with former ACC member Maryland. The two sides met twice before in the interconference showdown – an 85-73 Purdue win Nov. 28, 2012, in West Lafayette and a 68-55 Georgia Tech victory Nov. 30, 2017, in Atlanta.
Head coach Sharon Versyp enters her 16th and final season on the sidelines in West Lafayette after welcoming back Katie Gearlds as an associate head coach in a succession plan following the 2021-22 season. Versyp's roster is a mix of experienced returners, including starters Madison Layden and Brooke Moore, as well as a talented bunch of newcomers that features Indiana Miss Basketball Jayla Smith.
During their lone season together as a coach-player tandem in 2006-07, Versyp, Gearlds and the Boilermakers blazed a way to the NCAA Elite Eight, a path that including a 76-63 win over Georgia Tech in the first meeting in history.
Georgia Tech posted a 17-9 record last year, finishing third in the ACC with a 12-6 mark, and were a five seed in the NCAA Tournament, bowing out in the Sweet Sixteen following a loss to South Carolina. The Yellow Jackets are led by former Purdue head coach Nell Fortner, who roamed the sidelines in West Lafayette for the 1996-97 season before taking over USA Basketball ahead of the gold-medal campaign at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
Tip time and broadcast assignments will be announced later. Purdue has two final games left to announce as a part of a St. Pete Showcase in Florida during the week of Thanksgiving.
2021 Big Ten/ACC Women's Basketball Challenge
Wednesday, Dec. 1
North Carolina at Minnesota
Nebraska at Wake Forest
Ohio State at Syracuse
Georgia Tech at Purdue
Virginia Tech at Wisconsin
Thursday, Dec. 2
Florida State at Illinois
NC State at Indiana
Miami at Maryland
Michigan at Louisville
Notre Dame at Michigan State
Northwestern at Clemson
Penn State at Boston College
Wednesday, Dec. 1 OR Thursday, Dec. 2
Iowa at Duke
Rutgers at Pittsburgh
Stay up to date on all the latest scores, stats and stories surrounding Purdue women's basketball this season by following the team on Twitter (@PurdueWBB), Instagram (@PurdueWBB) and Facebook (/PurdueWBB).