Purdue University's men's basketball program has released its non‑conference schedule for the 2026‑27 season, a slate that deliberately seeks out high‑profile opponents and mid‑major programs with strong résumé‑building potential.
A demanding non‑conference slate
The schedule features marquee matchups against Gonzaga, DePaul, Oklahoma, Iowa State and Tennessee, each of which brings a distinct style and a chance to test the Boilermakers early in the year.
In addition to those powerhouses, Purdue will also face Valparaiso, Illinois State, Ohio, Lipscomb, Oakland and California Baptist, teams that have recently made noise in the NCAA Tournament and are positioned to climb the NET rankings.
Mid‑major contenders on the rise
Valparaiso, under Roger Powell, is a team on the rise in the Missouri Valley Conference; Illinois State, led by Ryan Pedon, last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 1998 and now aims to return; Ohio, which upset Virginia 13‑4 in 2021, seeks to recapture that magic; Lipscomb, coached by Kevin Carroll, won 19 games last season and played at Vanderbilt and Duke; Oakland, back at Mackey Arena after a second‑game loss, looks to improve; and California Baptist, in its ninth Division I year, comes off its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Purdue hopes that the tougher slate of buy games will add up in March, giving the Boilermakers a stronger case when the NCAA Tournament selection committee evaluates at‑large bids.