No. 2 Purdue travels to face No. 8 Alabama on Thursday night in a marquee college basketball matchup at Coleman Coliseum. Both teams enter undefeated at 2-0, with Purdue boasting the nation's top adjusted offensive efficiency and Alabama ranking second in adjusted tempo. The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Purdue, fresh off dominant wins over Evansville by 29 points and Oakland by 10 points, dropped one spot to No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25 poll despite starting the season at No. 1. The Boilermakers have been efficient on offense, ranking No. 1 in adjusted efficiency per KenPom, including making 13 three-pointers in each of their first two games. Key to their success could be the season debut of preseason All-American Trey Kaufman-Renn, who missed the opening games due to a sore hip. Last season, Kaufman-Renn scored 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished four assists in Purdue's 87-78 victory over Alabama in West Lafayette.
Alabama, meanwhile, climbed seven spots to No. 8 in the AP poll after a 29-point win over North Dakota and a thrilling 103-96 road victory over preseason No. 5 St. John's. The Crimson Tide average nearly 100 points per game and lead the nation in tempo under coach Nate Oats, with three-pointers accounting for at least 46 percent of their shot attempts in each of his six seasons. Guard Labaron Philon has emerged as a star, scoring 25 points against St. John's and 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting during last year's loss at Purdue. Alabama also ranks No. 2 in adjusted tempo this season, setting up a stylistic clash with Purdue, which sits 324th out of 365 Division I teams in that category.
This marks the third straight season the teams have met, following Purdue's 92-86 win in Toronto the year prior. Oddsmakers list Alabama as a 2.5-point home favorite. Purdue's coach Matt Painter has emphasized the Boilermakers' depth and star power, while Alabama aims to dictate a fast pace led by guards like Philon and Aden Holloway. Analysts predict a close contest, with one projection favoring Purdue 80-76.