This Saturday, February 4^th, the number one Purdue Boilermakers will travel to Bloomington to take on their rival Indiana Hoosiers.  The Hoosiers are currently ranked 21^st in the country.  This highly anticipated matchup could have big implications on the Big Ten title race.

Coming into the 2022-2023 basketball season, the Hoosiers were heavy favorites to win the Big Ten.  The Boilermakers on the other hand were unranked and were expected to take a step back after losing star guard Jaden Ivey to the NBA.

As the season has gone so far, Purdue is currently 22-1, and have won 9 games in a row. They have a record of 11-1 in the Big Ten.  The Hoosiers sit at 15-7 overall, and 6-5 in the league.

“This is just a really big-time game.  The anticipation is crazy,” said sophomore Joe Susong.

All eyes will be on the matchup between Purdue’s Zach Edey and Indiana’s Trayce Jackson Davis.  Edey, a 7’4” junior center from Canada, is averaging 22 points and 13 rebounds a game.  Jackson Davis on the other hand is averaging nearly 19 points and 11 rebounds a contest.  The two are the front runners for National Player of the Year in 2023.

“That’s a big-time matchup.  Edey uses his size and footwork better than anyone in the country and Trayce uses his quickness and athleticism super well,” said senior Korbyn Sloggett.

Other than the two big men, there will be an interesting matchup between the freshman guards of Purdue and Indiana.  Purdue’s Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer will be up agains IU’s Jalen Hood-Schifino.  It will be interesting to see how the inexperienced guards of Purdue will play into this game with such a hostile environment.

“I think they’ll have to figure it out as the game goes along.  It will be fun to watch,” said senior Beau Burgin.