Days before Penn State’s third court storm of 2024, Mike Rhoades noted how he felt Purdue doesn’t get enough credit for its physicality.
When the Boilermakers arrived at the Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday night, they brought their hard-nosed approach with them. In a whistle-heavy game, the two teams combined for 41 fouls, and the visitors forced 16 Nittany Lion turnovers.
Purdue’s problem was that Penn State wasn’t rattled, and instead brought its own sense of aggression to the court. The blue and white fought through contact and made 28 free throws, while also pressuring ball handlers and notching 14 steals en route to its 81-70 victory.