We very nearly got to see this game twice last season. If not for an overtime loss to Tennessee in the Bahamas Purdue would have played Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis. We also would have played them in the Elite Eight had we beaten Texas Tech. Both games would have followed a memorable 79-76 loss to the Wildcats early in the 2016-17 season. That Gavitt Games contest in Mackey Arena is one of only four games Purdue has lost at home in the past four seasons, and it is the lone non-conference game.
Playing the Wildcats in march is obviously scary.