Auburn Men’s Basketball is set to face the Purdue Boilermakers this upcoming regular season on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
The contest will mark the first game of a two-year series between Auburn and Purdue as the schools will face off again as part of the Fourth Annual Indy Classic on Dec. 20, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“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,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said in a released statement. “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.”
With the matchup against Purdue announced, Auburn will play at least two teams next season coming off a Final Four — Alabama as the other — making it the seventh time in program history the Tigers have done that.
With defending national champion UConn in the field at the Maui Invitational alongside Auburn, the Tigers could potentially play three final four teams from a year ago — a potential first for the program.
“We are excited to be part of an outstanding two-year series with Auburn, beginning in December in Birmingham, then returning to Indianapolis in 2025,” Painter said in a released statement. “We strive to make our non-conference schedule very competitive, and Auburn will be one of the top teams in the SEC this coming season.”
The two schools have crossed paths three times prior with Purdue leading the all-time series 2-1. The last meeting between Auburn and Purdue took place during the 2016 season in the championship game of the Cancun Challenge with Purdue winning that game, 96-71.
Prior to that, the Boilermakers and Tigers met in postseason play with a Purdue win (79-61) during the 2001 NIT Tournament and an Auburn win (59-58) in the first round of the 1985 NCAA Tournament.
“We are excited about playing in Birmingham, which will serve as an NCAA Regional site. With a quality opponent like Purdue, I would anticipate us selling out Legacy Arena," Pearl said. "I know the Auburn Family will step up and meet that challenge. We are excited for our players because if you want to be the best, you have to play the best.”
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Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @patrickabingham
