Purdue Boilermakers Basketball Tickets

In the 2016-17 season, the Purdue Boilermakers finished their second consecutive year locked into the AP Top 25 NCAA men’s basketball team rankings. They had an overall strong season led by head Coach Matt Painter, winning their twenty-third Big Ten Conference regular season championship. The Boilermakers finished the season with a 27-8 overall record and 14-4 conference record. One key player in the 2016-2017 was forward Caleb Swanigan, who led the team with a top statistical season in both Purdue and NCAA history. He averaged 18.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3 assists. In the NBA draft on June 22, Swanigan was selected 26 by the Portland Trailblazers. Not only is he the first sophomore in Purdue’s history to be drafted, he is also Purdue’s 48th NBA draft selection and the sixth player taken during the Painter era.

Purdue recruited several incoming freshmen for the 2017-2018 season that will help fill Swanigan’s shoes. One to look out for is four-star guard Nojel Eastern, 6’6” and 210 lbs. from Evanston, IL. Eastern has as much potential as any player no Purdue’s roster, and will help make an immediate impact in the upcoming season. Boilermaker’s basketball has a strong following and deep fan base, starting with Purdue’s student section the Paint Crew. With 2,800 members, the Paint Crew students fill the lower bowl of Mackey Arena decked in Boilermaker basketball gear and enthusiasm for the team. Purdue has a strong rivalry with Indiana and is the most frequently-played rivalry in all Big Ten squads. Purdue’s basketball culture is proud, aggressive, and full of school spirit.