It is hard to believe, but Tuesday’s game is the first ranked vs. ranked game involving Purdue since… That Night in Louisville. If you’re looking at regular season you have to go back to February 12, 2019 when #12 Purdue lost at #24 Maryland. It is a bit of a surprise that this is a ranked vs. ranked matchup considering that Wisconsin started the year at No. 7 and Purdue had nine teams in the Big Ten alone that were ahead of them based on who received votes.
It has been a long journey for both teams. The Badgers won a share of the Big Ten last season and had dreams of a repeat, but have faltered.