Purdue Basketball: Ranked Or Not?

what will purdue basketball be ranked

Purdue's basketball team has seen a lot of success in recent years, with a 39-game win streak as of November 2024. They have a strong track record in the NCAA Tournament, with 35 appearances and 3 Final Fours. In the 2024-25 season, they were ranked as high as #1 by The Athletic, and they were also ranked in the top 25 in the 2025-26 preseason. With a talented roster and successful coach, Purdue's basketball team is a force to be reckoned with and will likely continue to be ranked highly in the future.

Characteristics Values
Purdue Basketball's Rank in 2024 No. 1
Purdue Basketball's Rank in 2025 Top 25
Number of NCAA Tournament Appearances 35
Number of NCAA Final Four Appearances 3
Number of NCAA Championships 0
Number of Big Ten Conference Championships 26
Number of Western Conference Championships 2
Number of Wins 1966
Number of Losses 1073

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Purdue's ranking in the 2025-26 season

Purdue's men's basketball team has had a strong few seasons, with a 39-game win streak as of November 2024. They were ranked No. 1 in the 2024-25 season by The Athletic, and were described as a dangerous team with as much returning experience and perimeter firepower as anybody in the sport next season by FOX Sports.

Purdue's ranking for the 2025-26 season is yet to be determined, but they have been included in early rankings by FOX Sports, who placed them in the Top 25 alongside Houston and Louisville. The team is expected to have a lot of returning experience, with Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer returning to the court, and the addition of transfers Blake Buchanan, Eric Mulder, and Mason Williams.

The team's success in the 2025-26 season will depend on a variety of factors, including the performance of their returning and new players, the strategies employed by their coach, and the strength of their opponents. However, based on their performance in recent seasons and the expected returning experience of their players, it is likely that Purdue will be ranked highly in the 2025-26 season.

The Boilermakers' success in the 2024-25 season, including their impressive win streak, has set a strong foundation for the team to build on in the 2025-26 season. With a mix of returning players and new additions, Purdue is expected to be a competitive force in college basketball once again.

While it is too early to predict exact rankings, Purdue's men's basketball team is definitely one to watch in the 2025-26 season, and they are expected to be in the running for a top spot.

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Zach Edey's performance

During his time at Purdue, Edey put up impressive numbers, with one notable performance against Michigan, where he scored 35 points and had 15 rebounds. This was the first time a D-I player had achieved this in the 2024 season and the first time in five years that a player had done so with a 75% field goal percentage. Edey's ability to score in the paint was a key weapon for Purdue, and his teammates were able to get him the ball in good positions, particularly from the middle of the floor.

Edey's performance at Purdue led to him being a highly-rated prospect, and he was even tipped as a favourite to win the NBA's Rookie of the Year award by his Grizzlies teammate, Ja Morant. However, Edey's statistics have since been trending downwards, and he has had to adapt to a new style of play. The Grizzlies' offensive strategy focuses on constant movement, 3-pointers, and pick-and-roll plays, which is a shift from Edey's traditional back-to-the-basket playing style. Despite this, the Grizzlies remain confident in Edey's abilities, with coach Taylor Jenkins praising his ability to play in space and be comfortable on the perimeter.

Edey has shown glimpses of his potential with the Grizzlies, particularly in a win over the Charlotte Hornets, where he contributed seven points and six rebounds in just 19 minutes. In another game, Edey showcased his versatility by recording nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in 30 minutes. While his offensive output has been inconsistent, Edey's rebounding and overall presence are still highly valued by the Grizzlies, who recognise that their success is closely tied to his development.

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Purdue's winning streak

Purdue's men's basketball team has had a strong few seasons, with the 2024-25 season seeing them ranked as high as number one in the Associated Press poll. This was due in part to a historic winning streak of 39 consecutive victories in the regular season against out-of-conference opponents, including nine wins over top-10 opponents. Purdue's Zach Edey had an impressive season, with 35 points and 15 rebounds in one game, and four 30-points-and-15-rebounds performances in total.

The 2025-26 season is also looking promising for Purdue, with the team featuring in John Fanta's way-too-early top 25 rankings. The team has a lot of returning experience and perimeter firepower, with Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer returning to the team. The addition of players like Blake Buchanan, Eric Mulder, and Mason Williams also means that Purdue could be a dangerous team next season.

Purdue's women's basketball team has also seen success, with the 2024-25 season marking the team's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017. The team has a strong foundation with a core of young players, including Jayla Smith, who was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and Madison Layden, who was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year.

Overall, Purdue's basketball teams, both men's and women's, are looking strong and have had recent success, with the men's team particularly standing out with its impressive winning streak and high rankings.

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Roster continuity

The Boilermakers' success can be attributed to the continuity of their roster, with key players returning and new recruits joining the team. For the 2025-26 season, Purdue is expected to have as much returning experience and perimeter firepower as any other team in college basketball. This includes the presence of Braden Smith, a finalist for the Naismith Award, and his backcourt partner, Fletcher Loyer. Additionally, Tamin Lipsey is expected to return, along with new recruits Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson, who provide long, versatile options for the team.

The Boilermakers' ability to maintain a consistent core of players has contributed to their strong performance on the court. Their victory over Alabama showcased their offensive capabilities, scoring 87 points, and their defensive prowess, limiting their opponents' shooting percentage. Purdue's success in the 2024-25 season, coupled with their roster continuity, positions them as a top-ranked team heading into the 2025-26 season.

The team's head coach, Matt Painter, plays a crucial role in fostering this continuity. Despite the departure of star player Zach Edey, Coach Painter expressed confidence in junior Trey Kaufman-Renn, predicting a great year for him. Painter's ability to develop players and create a cohesive unit contributes to the team's success and consistent ranking as a top program.

In conclusion, roster continuity is a significant strength for the Purdue Boilermakers. By retaining key players, adding talented recruits, and being steered by a capable coach, the team has established a culture of success and maintained a high ranking in college basketball. This continuity has allowed them to develop a strong on-court dynamic, execute effective offensive and defensive strategies, and consistently perform at a high level.

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Purdue's ranking in the AP Poll

Purdue's men's basketball team has had a successful few seasons, with the 2023-24 season marking the ninth week in the last three seasons that Purdue has been ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 Poll. This achievement is tied with Gonzaga for the most in the country during that period. Notably, prior to the 2021-22 season, Purdue had never been ranked No. 1.

In the 2021-22 season, Purdue started with an 8-0 record, followed by a 13-0 start in the 2022-23 season, and a 6-0 start in the 2023-24 season. Their impressive performance continued into the 2024-25 season, where they were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll on November 11, 2024. This ranking was based on their strong wins, with six victories over teams in the Top 25 and five of those against the top 11.

Purdue's success in men's college basketball is further highlighted by their performance against Michigan, where Zach Edey's exceptional play led to a 35-point and 15-rebound game. Edey's performance was a standout, as it was the first time such a feat had been achieved in D-I that season and the first time in five years that it was accomplished with 75% FG.

Overall, Purdue's men's basketball team has a strong history in the AP Poll, with 24 preseason rankings, 26 final rankings, and a total of 449 weeks of being ranked. Their consistent appearances in the poll demonstrate their competitiveness and success in men's college basketball.

Frequently asked questions

Purdue has been ranked as high as #1 in the NCAA men's basketball rankings. In 2024, Purdue made a huge jump in the rankings, and in 2025, they were ranked in the top 3.

Purdue is in the Big Ten conference.

Purdue has been ranked in the AP Poll a total of 449 weeks.

Purdue basketball has had 26 Regular Season Conference Championships, 2 Tournament Conference Championships, and 35 NCAA Tournament appearances.

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