WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Indiana Sports Corporation has announced that Purdue will play Colorado in the fifth annual Indy Classic, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The event will be played Saturday, Dec. 19, in Indianapolis as part of a college basketball doubleheader. The other game will pit Butler against Georgia Tech. Game times and television designations will be announced at a later date.
The announcement completes Purdue’s non-conference schedule. In addition to Colorado, the Boilermakers will face Gonzaga in the season opener, DePaul and Oklahoma in Fort Myers, Iowa State on the road and Tennessee in Mackey Arena. In addition, Purdue will take on Connecticut in an exhibition game as well as strong mid-major programs in Illinois State, Ohio, Lipscomb, Oakland, Cal Baptist and Valparaiso.
Led by longtime and highly-respected head coach Tad Boyle, Colorado finished last season with a 17-16 overall record and 70th in the final KenPom ratings. The contest gives Purdue its eighth non-conference game against a team ranked in the top 100 of the final 2026 NET rankings.
During Boyle’s 16 seasons at Colorado, he has led the Buffaloes to six NCAA Tournament appearances as well as five trips to the NIT. During his time at Colorado, the Buffaloes have posted 329 victories, averaging over 20 wins a season.
Both Boyle and head coach Matt Painter are active on the NABC Board of Directors and with USA Basketball.
In addition, the game will be a reunion of sorts for the Jacobsen family, as Purdue’s Daniel will face younger brother Eric, who signed with the Buffaloes in the spring.
The all-time series with Colorado is tied at one win apiece, with Colorado winning the last meeting, 67-66, in December of 1988.