Purdue University’s men’s basketball team is set to headline the Fort Myers Tip-Off, a showcase event that kicks off the college basketball calendar during what the NCAA calls "Feast Week." The Boilermakers will meet DePaul on November 24 before taking on Oklahoma on Thanksgiving, marking a rare convergence of power‑conference opponents in a single, early‑season window.
Coach Matt Painter has long emphasized the value of confronting a diverse slate of opponents to sharpen his squad for the rigors of March. By scheduling games against DePaul and Oklahoma, both of which Purdue has not met in over a decade, Painter hopes to expose his younger roster to contrasting styles and high‑pressure environments.
A Historic Opportunity and a Youthful Test
The upcoming matchups also revive memories of past encounters; Purdue holds a 12‑9 edge over DePaul and a 4‑6 record against Oklahoma, but the last five multi‑team tournaments the Boilermakers have entered have ended in championship victories. Those wins include the Hall of Fame Tip‑Off, the Phil Knight Legacy, the Maui Invitational, the Rady Children’s Invitational and the Baha Mar Championship, where they defeated nine ranked teams, five of them top‑10.
Since the 2021‑22 season Purdue has rattled off 12 straight victories in multi‑team events, a streak that underscores the program’s ability to translate early‑season experiments into postseason success. The Fort Myers Tip‑Off will serve as the latest laboratory, offering freshmen and newcomers a chance to assume new roles while the team gauges its chemistry.
Beyond the on‑court storylines, the tournament will be staged in Florida, providing a warm‑weather backdrop to a cold‑weather preparation. For Purdue, the event is more than a schedule filler; it is a deliberate step in a broader strategy to navigate a demanding Big Ten slate and to secure a favorable seed in the NCAA Tournament.