WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The No. 1-ranked Purdue Boilermakers face its first test as the nation's top-ranked team when it travels East to face Rutgers at 7 p.m. ET, at Jersey Mike's Arena. The Boilermakers are looking to snap a three-game skid to Rutgers and are looking to win at Rutgers for the first time since Feb. 3, 2018. The three-game losing streak to Rutgers is the third-longest active losing streak to a Big Ten opponent.
The Boilermakers are 8-0 for the first time since the 2015-16 season, while Rutgers enters the contest with a 4-4 record.
The contest will be televised on BTN with Brandon Gaudin and Robbie Hummel on the call. On the radio waves, Rob Blackman and Bobby Riddell will be courtside on the 22-station Purdue Radio Network and online on the Varsity Sports Network (app). Live stats will be provided on PurdueStats.com and updates will be provided on Purdue's official Twitter account (@BoilerBall).
THE NOTES TO KNOW
1) Purdue is 8-0 for just the third time under head coach Matt Painter. A win over Rutgers would give Purdue just its fifth 9-0 start since 1940, joining the 1992-93, 1993-94, 2009-10 and 2015-16 seasons. The best start in school history is 14-0 (1993-94 and 2009-10).
2) Purdue's No. 1 ranking is its first in school history. Purdue had been ranked in 379 previous AP Top 25 polls without a No. 1 ranking -- the second-most appearances in the country (Maryland - 423).
3) Purdue enters Thursday's contest as one of 12 unbeatens left in the country. Minnesota (pending Wednesday's MSU game) is one of them.
4) Purdue has outscored its opponents by 77 points at the free throw line, the top total in the country (Portland, Providence are +73). Over the last three games, Purdue has outscored foes by 37 points at the free throw line, being whistled for just 32 fouls to opponents' 60.
5) Purdue is 1-of-2 teams nationally to shoot at least 50.0 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from 3-point range and 75.0 percent from the free throw line (Colorado State).
6) Eight of Purdue's 10 regulars shoot at least 40 percent from 3-point range (Thompson - .609; Morton, Gillis, Williams - .500; Stefanovic - .460; Furst - .455; Newman - .405; Ivey - .400).
7) Purdue has trailed for just 27 minutes, 10 seconds this season. If you throw out Villanova, Purdue has trailed for just 7 minutes, 16 seconds.
8) Matt Painter (363) needs one win to tie Branch McCracken and Bo Ryan (364) for sixth on the list for overall career wins by Big Ten coaches. He needs one win to tie Jud Heathcote (182) for seventh on the list for career wins in Big Ten games only.
The Boilermakers are 8-0 for the first time since the 2015-16 season, while Rutgers enters the contest with a 4-4 record.
The contest will be televised on BTN with Brandon Gaudin and Robbie Hummel on the call. On the radio waves, Rob Blackman and Bobby Riddell will be courtside on the 22-station Purdue Radio Network and online on the Varsity Sports Network (app). Live stats will be provided on PurdueStats.com and updates will be provided on Purdue's official Twitter account (@BoilerBall).
THE NOTES TO KNOW
1) Purdue is 8-0 for just the third time under head coach Matt Painter. A win over Rutgers would give Purdue just its fifth 9-0 start since 1940, joining the 1992-93, 1993-94, 2009-10 and 2015-16 seasons. The best start in school history is 14-0 (1993-94 and 2009-10).
2) Purdue's No. 1 ranking is its first in school history. Purdue had been ranked in 379 previous AP Top 25 polls without a No. 1 ranking -- the second-most appearances in the country (Maryland - 423).
3) Purdue enters Thursday's contest as one of 12 unbeatens left in the country. Minnesota (pending Wednesday's MSU game) is one of them.
4) Purdue has outscored its opponents by 77 points at the free throw line, the top total in the country (Portland, Providence are +73). Over the last three games, Purdue has outscored foes by 37 points at the free throw line, being whistled for just 32 fouls to opponents' 60.
5) Purdue is 1-of-2 teams nationally to shoot at least 50.0 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from 3-point range and 75.0 percent from the free throw line (Colorado State).
6) Eight of Purdue's 10 regulars shoot at least 40 percent from 3-point range (Thompson - .609; Morton, Gillis, Williams - .500; Stefanovic - .460; Furst - .455; Newman - .405; Ivey - .400).
7) Purdue has trailed for just 27 minutes, 10 seconds this season. If you throw out Villanova, Purdue has trailed for just 7 minutes, 16 seconds.
8) Matt Painter (363) needs one win to tie Branch McCracken and Bo Ryan (364) for sixth on the list for overall career wins by Big Ten coaches. He needs one win to tie Jud Heathcote (182) for seventh on the list for career wins in Big Ten games only.