Yesterday it was announced that both of Purdue’s 2022 men’s basketball commitments would take part in the most prestigious in-season tournament in the state, with a possible matchup against each other in the championship game. Fletcher Loyer’s Homestead and Braden Smith’s Westfield were both invited to the Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle, played in late December at the near 10,000 seat New Castle Fieldhouse.
This is the 45th edition of the tournament. For the longest time it was the only allowed in-season tournament and the only way teams could play more than 20 regular season games, but like exempt tournaments at the NCAA level, there are now dozens around the state during the holidays.