Purdue Basketball Faces Illinois State Searching for First Win

Purdue basketball is searching for its first win of the season when it hosts Illinois State at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Monday, Nov. 9, with a 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off. The Boilermakers enter at 0-2 after a double-overtime loss to Valparaiso, while the Redbirds are 1-1.

A rocky start for the Boilermakers

Purdue opened the season against a Gonzaga team that a preview described as the 15th-ranked side in the country. The Boilermakers then lost in double overtime to Valparaiso at home, a result that has left them with their first 0-2 start since the 1976-77 season, according to Hammer and Rails.

Daniel Jacobsen has led the team early, averaging 25.0 points and 8.5 rebounds, according to IndyStar. C.J. Cox has added 12.0 points and 7.5 rebounds. Caden Pierce, Omer Mayer and Gicarri Harris have also started.

The bigger question for coach Matt Painter is how minutes will be distributed. Hammer and Rails noted that Mayer's playing time shrank in the Valparaiso game and that he only reached the floor in the second overtime after Antione West Jr. fouled out. Enzo Shahrvin did not play after a difficult game against Gonzaga.

What Illinois State brings

Illinois State is the second favorite to win the Missouri Valley Conference in the preseason poll, according to IndyStar. Johnny Kinzinger has been the Redbirds' main scoring threat, averaging 23.0 points with 68% shooting from three. Malik Messina-Moore (17.0 points, 53.8% from three) and Nick Allen (10.0 points) add to the offense.

Illinois State fell to Saint Mary's in overtime, its only loss against a Division I opponent so far. Hammer and Rails pointed out that the Redbirds' other win came against Central State, a Division II program, and that the margin in that game was 100-55. The site also said the early statistics should be read with that in mind.

Hammer and Rails also noted that Illinois State ranks 114th on KenPom, while Purdue has dropped to 41st after starting the year at 23rd. The Redbirds rank sixth nationally in three-point percentage, while Purdue ranks 345th in that category.

Key matchups and Purdue's need to adjust

Hammer and Rails described Jacobsen as holding a size advantage inside, particularly when Nick Allen is off the floor. Illinois State's scoring has leaned heavily on the perimeter, with 45.9% of its points coming from three-pointers, according to the same preview.

Purdue has scored just 19.7% of its points from deep through two games. The preview framed Monday's game as a must-win for a team that needs to show it can handle a lesser opponent.

What we know so far

Purdue must find a different rhythm after two losses, from its perimeter shooting to its rotation. Illinois State arrives with a strong shooting start and a chance to test that defense at home. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at Mackey Arena, with radio coverage on 96.5 FM in Lafayette and SiriusXM Channel 271. Final results and lineup details will be confirmed after the game.