Last time you heard from me I was crying on my dorm room floor over Purdue’s heartbreaking loss in the Elite 8 to Virginia. Virginia went on to win the National Championship and apparently I’m not over that loss, praying for the day of a March Madness rematch.
Here we are in June and the Big Ten/ACC Challenge slate for the winter was just announced. The yearly challenge is headlined by Duke visiting Michigan State, Michigan traveling to Louisville, Florida State going into Assembly Hall, and the reigning National Champs going on the road to the toughest venue in college basketball, Mackey Arena, for a rematch with the Boilermakers.
The History Written
The Cavaliers and the Boilermakers played an all-time classic in March and it will go down as one of the most entertaining games of all time. Carsen Edwards dropped 42 points and had Purdue on the verge of their first Final Four since 1980. As you could guess, Purdue lost the game and is looking for revenge in Mackey this December.
This March Madness rematch will be the most anticipated game in West Lafayette since #1 Villanova came to Mackey in 2016. Usually Purdue gets the weaker end of the ACC. It’s not very often that a team of Virginia’s caliber comes to our house. Purdue also hasn’t played a defending national champ since that Nova game. Although this game won’t feature Carsen Edwards, Kyle Guy, or Ty Jerome, but Mamadi Diakite will be back to remind the Boilers of their season’s tragic ending. De’andre Hunter will also be back making the Cavaliers deadly once again.
The Boilers lost three starters including their two leading scorers. However, they are bringing in a talented class of freshman and with growth from Nojel Eastern, Aaron Wheeler, Trevion Williams, and Matt Haarms, the Boilers are looking to shock their doubters again.
Mackey Arena is going to be rocking once again for this game. It’s going to be a must attend for any college basketball fan. If you’ve never been to Mackey you’re missing out and this would be a great first. It may be June but basketball never sleeps in Indiana. Let the countdown begin. Boiler up!