College basketball’s recent titans, Purdue and Auburn, have finalized a two-year series starting this December. The two likely preseason Top 25 teams will meet on Dec. 21, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala., with a return game scheduled for Dec. 20, 2025 in Indianapolis as part of the Indy Classic. Purdue, despite losing Zach Edey, the national player of the year, remains a strong opponent after finishing as the runner-up in the 2023-24 NCAA tournament. Auburn, led by Bruce Pearl, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play against Purdue, acknowledging them as one of the top college basketball programs in the country.
“I am grateful to Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers for agreeing to a two-game series to be played this year in Birmingham and next year in Indianapolis,” Pearl said. “Matt has one of the finest college basketball programs in the country. His kids play hard and play the right way. Purdue is one of the top programs in the Big Ten winning three conference championships and being ranked No. 1 nationally over the last three seasons. … We are excited for our players, because if you want to be the best, you have to play the best.”
Auburn has had successful seasons in recent years, winning more than 20 games six times in the past seven years, with a Final Four appearance in 2018-19 and a 27-8 record last year. The Tigers aim to maintain their competitive edge and bounce back from their upset in the NCAA Tournament last season. Purdue’s Coach Painter emphasized the importance of facing tough competition in the nonconference schedule, highlighting Auburn as one of the top teams in the SEC in the upcoming season.
–Field Level Media