Fri Jan 03 02:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Purdue Boilermakers Begin Big Ten Play in Minneapolis
**MINNEAPOLIS, MN –** The 20th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (9-4, 1-1 Big Ten) kick off their Big Ten conference schedule on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-5, 0-2 Big Ten) in Williams Arena. The game will be televised on FS1.
Coming off a solid 8-3 non-conference record, Purdue seeks its first road win of the season after recent losses to Marquette and Penn State. The Boilermakers will have center Will Berg back from a sprained foot, though his playing time remains uncertain. Guard Myles Colvin will be looking to break out of a recent shooting slump.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is facing a rebuilding year after key players transferred. While they boast veteran Dawson Garcia (averaging 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds), their shooting struggles (30.5% from three-point range and 64.9% from the free-throw line) pose a significant challenge. The Gophers opened their Big Ten schedule with losses to Michigan State and Indiana.
Despite their recent setbacks, Purdue enters the matchup as the favorite, having won six of their last seven meetings against Minnesota, including lopsided victories in their last two trips to Williams Arena. However, Purdue’s defensive rebounding has been a concern, and this game will be a test of their ability to overcome those weaknesses against a Gophers team desperate for a conference win. Braden Smith, meanwhile, is on the verge of reaching 1000 career points. The game presents an opportunity for Purdue to solidify their NCAA tournament hopes and prove their mettle against a struggling but dangerous opponent.
First Piper 