Purdue entered this season as the clear favorite to finally win the big dance. They were one victory away from a championship in 2024, with Zach Edey carrying them every step of the way. But those days are gone. This is Braden Smith’s team now. And under Matt Painter, Purdue has already checked off something you almost never see from the Boilermakers. What are we talking about? Purdue’s long, frustrating history of stumbling in its Big Ten road opener.

Ever since the conference started scheduling league games in December, those early road tests have haunted the Boilermakers. Over the last seven years, Purdue has gone just 1–6 in Big Ten road games played in December, with the only win coming against Nebraska during the 2022–23 season. But the Boilermakers finally broke the curse this seas

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