Boilermakers to play first game in California since Dec. 2001.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION — GAME 07
[13] Purdue (5-1) vs. North Carolina State (5-0)
3 p.m. ET, Noon PT | San Diego, California
LionTree Arena (4,000)
TELEVISION: FS1 (Cory Provus, Robbie Hummel)
RADIO: Purdue Global Radio Network (Rob Blackman, Bobby Riddell)
THE NOTES TO KNOW
• The No. 13-ranked Purdue men’s basketball team heads to the Golden State and San Diego in search of its fourth straight “Feast Week” tournament title in the Rady Children’s Invitational, beginning Thanksgiving Day. The Boilermakers open with North Carolina State on Thursday, then will face either BYU or Ole Miss in Friday’s action at LionTree Arena.
• Thursday’s game marks a rematch from last year’s Final Four, as Purdue advanced to its first National Championship game appearance since 1969 with a 63-50 decision over the Wolfpack in Glendale, Arizona. Fletcher Loyer had 11 points and two assists, while Braden Smith had 3 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in the victory.
• Purdue has traveled west in each of its last two “Feast Week” Tournaments, both ending in massive success. Two years ago, a relatively-unknown Purdue squad defeated West Virginia, No. 6 Gonzaga and No. 8 Duke en route to the Phil Knight Legacy title in Portland. Last season, Purdue traveled further west to Honolulu and defeated No. 11 Gonzaga, No. 7 Tennessee and No. 4 Marquette to win the Maui Invitational.
• A year ago, Purdue had the same starting lineup for all 39 games and the year before Purdue had four different starting lineups in 35 games. This year already in six games, Purdue has started three different lineups.
• As of Monday, Purdue was 1-of-5 teams nationally to have played two top-15 ranked teams (Texas A&M-Commerce, Kansas City, Baylor, Jackson St.).
• Turnovers tell the story for Purdue. Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Purdue is 48-3 when it forces at least 10 turnovers in a game and when Purdue has single-digit turnovers in that span, the Boilermakers are 33-2.
• Purdue ranks 10th nationally in 3-point percentage (.430), one year after ranking second nationally. Since the start of last season, Purdue is shooting 40.7 percent from long distance, averaging 8.2 made 3-pointers per game.
• Purdue has yet to allow an opponent a 10-0 run or larger, while having three runs of 10-0 or larger themselves. Since the start of last season, Purdue is 23-0 in games that it has had a run or 10-0 or larger and has won 54 of its last 55 games with a 10-0 run or better.
• Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have started all 80 games during their careers at Purdue. The Boilermakers are 68-12 since their arrival in West Lafayette and the duo has combined for 1,754 points, 674 assists and 240 career 3-pointers.
• Braden Smith dished out his 500th career assist in the win over Marshall and already ranks 13th among active players in assists. He is second nationally in assists per game (6.26), just behind Texas Tech’s Elijah Hawkins (6.39). Smith is the first player in almost 40 years to have career averages of 11 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds with at least 80 games played (LAST: Michael Anderson, Drexel – 1985-88).
• As of Monday, Braden Smith was the only player nationally to have at least 70 points, 50 assists and 30 rebounds so far this season. Based on a 36-game season, Smith is on pace for 440 points, 336 assists and 190 rebounds. Only one player in NCAA history has had at least 425 points, 325 assists and 175 rebounds in a season (Murray State’s Ja Morant — 2018-19).
• Trey Kaufman-Renn is one of five players nationally to average at least 17.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 2.5 APG while shooting 60 percent from the field.
• Purdue has been ranked in 42 straight AP Top 25 polls, the sixth-longest active streak in the country and the third longest in school history.
• Purdue is looking to become the first team to win three straight outright Big Ten titles since the Boilermakers did it in 1994-96. Ohio State also accomplished the feat in 1960-62 as the only programs to record an outright “threepeat”.
• Purdue, Duke, Gonzaga and Houston are the only programs in America to have made at least a Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final Four in the last five NCAA Tournaments. Purdue reached the Sweet 16 in 2022, the Elite 8 in 2019 and the Final Four in 2024.