Arizona to face Big Ten powerhouse in neutral-site showdown in 2023-24 season
Arizona has added another major name to its 2023-24 nonconference schedule.
The Wildcats announced on Monday they’ll head to Indianapolis in December to take on Big Ten champion Purdue. In what will be the second annual Indy Classic, the Boilermakers and Wildcats will face off on Dec. 16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse — home of the Indiana Pacers. Tip time and TV info will be revealed at a later date.
Cats are headed to Indy 🔥
More: https://t.co/ZxT7fL6240 pic.twitter.com/yTfmAQxTT9
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) June 12, 2023
Purdue is likely a preseason top 5 team next year. Coach Matt Painter’s group won both the regular season and conference tournament titles in the Big Ten last season, and they return the catalyst of that championship team. National Player of the Year Zach Edey tested the NBA Draft waters, but decided to return.
The 7-foot-4 Edey averaged 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds a game last year.
Arizona will look to win another Pac-12 title in Year 3 under Tommy Lloyd, and it returns a collection of talent that includes Oumar Ballo, Pelle Larsson, and dynamic guard Kylan Boswell. Lloyd hit the portal hard for reinforcements this offseason, landing transfer commitments from Keshad Johnson (San Diego State), Jaden Bradley (Alabama), and Caleb Love (North Carolina).
The meeting in December will be the 13th all-time between the two programs, though just the second since the 2006-07 season. Purdue leads the series 7-5 and has won each of the last two games.
So far, Arizona has also finalized nonconference matchups next season against Duke, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.