Purdue's disappointing season deepens as the former No. 1 team in the AP poll has lost four games at home, raising concerns despite their NCAA tournament hopes remaining intact. Head Coach Matt Painter attributes these losses to the strength of their opponents, which includes top-ranked teams like Michigan and Iowa State. However, the Boilermakers also suffered defeats to lesser teams like UCLA and Indiana, exacerbating the disappointment for fans. Currently, they hold an 8-6 record in Quadrant 1 play, significantly lower than their competitors like Duke.

By the Numbers
  • Purdue has lost four home games this season, all to ranked opponents.
  • The Boilermakers are only two games above .500 in Quadrant 1 play with 8 Q1 wins.
Yes, But

The criticism of Purdue's home losses is tempered by the fact that they've faced tough competition, as all four defeats came against top-tier teams. Thus, while disappointing, their performance may reflect the competitive nature of their schedule more than a decline in ability.

State of Play
  • Purdue's next game is against Ohio State on Sunday at 1:30 PM ET.
  • The team currently has a record of 22-6 and sits at No. 14 in the CBS Sports Top 25 rankings.
What's Next

Moving forward, Purdue aims to rebound against Ohio State, needing to secure wins to bolster their NCAA tournament positioning. This matchup is critical for restoring momentum and confidence in the Boilermakers as they approach the postseason.

Bottom Line

Purdue's ability to turn around their home misfortunes is essential not just for their confidence but also for their hopes of advancing deep in the NCAA tournament. Disappointing losses, particularly at home, highlight the need for improved consistency as they head toward the tournament.