Purdue Ranked 19th in Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason Poll
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In what will likely be the first of many preseason top-25 appearances, the Purdue men’s basketball team is ranked No. 19 in the Blue Ribbon Yearbook’s preseason poll. The yearbook is considered the “Bible” of college basketball preseason magazines.
The Boilermakers have become one of America’s most-consistent programs, ranking in the top 25 in 56 of the last 57 polls, the fourth-most appearances nationally during that span behind just Kansas (57), North Carolina (57) and Villanova (57) while posting the ninth-most wins nationally over the last three years (83).
Purdue will be led by junior guard Carsen Edwards, a preseason first-team All-American by the same yearbook and one of just three returning All-Americans in college basketball (North Carolina’s Luke Maye, Virginia’s Kyle Guy). The guard from Atascocita, Texas, won the Jerry West Award last year as the nation’s top shooting guard, averaging 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while connecting on 97 3-pointers – the second most in school history.
The Boilermakers also return a young, but talented nucleus that learned from one of the best senior classes in school history a year ago. Seniors Ryan Cline and Grady Eifert are ready for more-prominent roles this season, while sophomores Nojel Eastern and Matt Haarms both had strong offseasons and will improve from their freshman seasons. A strong freshman class and junior transfer Evan Boudreaux will provide added depth and experience.
The Boilermakers went 30-7 a year ago and reached their second straight Sweet 16.
Season tickets are available at PurdueSports.com, or by calling 800.49SPORT. The Boilermakers open the regular season Nov. 6, against Fairfield. Their exhibition game will be Nov. 1, against Marian University.