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.