When Maryland and Purdue met at Mackey Arena in early December, neither team was ranked and both teams were trying to find themselves in what was, for each, its second Big Ten game of the season.
The Terps needed to indoctrinate five freshmen into what it was like to play in the Big Ten, especially on the road. The Boilermakers were figuring how to surround star junior guard Carsen Edwards with four new starters.
Purdue won, 62-60.
No. 24 Maryland and No. 12 Purdue meet again Tuesday night at Xfinity Center, and the Terps come into the matchup having done better than many predicted and the Boilermakers have become the Big Ten’s hottest team.