The Indiana Pacers' Gainbridge Fieldhouse will welcome a marquee nonconference matchup on December 19, as the Purdue Boilermakers take on the Colorado Buffaloes. The game is part of Purdue's carefully curated slate that pits them against some of the nation's most respected programs.
What makes the contest especially compelling is the personal connection between the two teams' rosters. Purdue's forward Daniel Jacobsen will square off against his younger brother, Eric Jacobsen, a freshman who has already made an impact for Colorado. The Jacobsen brothers grew up playing together in the Midwest, and their reunion on the hardwood adds a narrative layer that fans are eager to follow.
A Family Affair on the Court
Purdue's nonconference agenda reads like a road trip across the college basketball landscape. In addition to the Indiana showdown, the Boilermakers will travel to face Gonzaga in Las Vegas on November 2, test themselves against Tennessee at Mackey Arena on December 12, and later meet Iowa State in a home‑and‑home series. Each opponent finished among the top 100 of the final NET rankings, underscoring the team's commitment to tough competition.
Colorado, under the guidance of coach Tad Boyle, brings a seasoned campaign to the court. Boyle, a veteran with six NCAA tournament appearances and five NIT bids in his 16‑year tenure, has built a program that consistently contends for postseason berths. His leadership will be tested against a Purdue squad that aims to sharpen its résumé ahead of Big Ten play.
The Indy Classic itself emerged from the dissolution of the Crossroads Classic, which once featured Indiana University, Butler, and Notre Dame. By launching the tournament in the 2022‑23 season, Purdue helped create a new tradition that now showcases a blend of regional pride and national ambition.