Boilermakers hope nonconference schedule helps in Big Ten

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) Purdue played a rugged nonconference schedule and lost three of four games.

The question: Has that challenging start made the Boilermakers more battle-tested for No. 2 Michigan State this weekend, or will it negatively affect their confidence?

Purdue (1-3) is the only Big Ten team under .500 heading into conference play, but the Boilermakers played a challenging September schedule. They lost at Marshall and at home to Virginia Tech and Bowling Green.

Coach Darrell Hazell, 5-23 since taking over the Boilermakers in December of 2012, said Tuesday that the September schedule will help in Big Ten play, beginning Saturday on the road.

''You look at the film, and all of a…