The home stretch is here. Just 9 Big Ten games remain before we get into postseason play. That’s where the rubber really meets the road. Purdue had a very rough three game stretch that might have put them out of the Big Ten race. I wanted to check in with the staff about the end of the season. I asked: There are 9 games left in conference play, what will be Purdue’s record over those final 9 games, and which ones do you think would be losses?

For those that don’t know, below is the remaining conference slate for the Boilermakers.

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Ledman:

After the victory over Maryland we saw the Purdue offense we hoped we would see each and every game. Understanding that Maryland is not a good team I’m not sure how much we can take away from that game as far as Purdue being back. Looking at the schedule, and the flaws that we’ve seen out of both the Purdue offense and the Purdue defense it’s easy for me to see Purdue losing at least 3 of those games. That would be at Nebraska, Michigan, and Michigan State. Those are the cream of the crop of the remaining schedule. My worst case scenario here is 6-3. I think Purdue will ultimately pull off two of those games and they will be 8-1 down the stretch. That will put Purdue’s Big Ten record at 16-4. It could be enough for Purdue to sneak into the Big Ten title picture but they need a lot of help to do so.

Travis:

Depends on which Purdue shows up. I am dead serious when I say this team is fully capable of running the table there. As we saw during the recent 3 game losing streak Purdue can play terrible and still be within a possession or two at the end of games, so I still have faith.

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To be a realist I don’t think anything less than 8-1 gets a sre of the conference, and that may be a stretch with the way Michigan and Illinois are playing right now. I tihnk the most likely loss is either at Nebraska or home against Michigan. The Wolverines have been awfully good and Nebraska showed that their ranking is not a fluke with the way the played MIchigan and Illinois last week. The game at Iowa is concerning, as is the home game against Michigan State. The only wins I am certain of are Oregon and at Northwestern, buti feel good about Wisconsin in Mackey at the end. Hopefully there is still something to play for in that one.

I am shaken that Purdue has been mortal at home. Not only did it lose to Iowa State and Illinois, it lost by looking bad and not taking advantage of the big game atmosphere. The only season in the last decade where Purdue lost more than two games at home was the COVID shortened 2019-20 season, where it lost to Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Penn State, and Rutgers. It’s already dropped two before February, so I am worried.

Ryan:

8-1. Purdue has 4 games left on the road this season (Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio State, and Northwestern) and I honestly think the Boilermakers will go 4-0 in those games. That leaves the 5 games in Mackey, a much harder slate. Purdue plays 3 straight at home against Michigan, Indiana, and Michigan State and while I’m glad they are all at home, that’s two national powers and your biggest rival who already beat you this year. I think Purdue splits the games against the Michigan schools while beating Indiana as well as Wisconsin and Oregon at home.

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By my math, Purdue would finish the season 16-4 in B1G play, meaning that Illinois and Michigan would each need to drop 3 of their last 9 games while Nebraska and Michigan State would need to drop 2 each (we always are looking out for another B1G Championship). A lofty proposition but if Purdue plays up to their potential, it’s entirely possible.

Casey:

8-1. I think it’s either of the Michigan games, but I’m leaning towards the Spartans. I still can’t get over the feeling that I don’t think this team can pretend non elimination games are do or die. The seniors have seen too much. Because of the extremes of their march experiences, the from the seasons catalogued in their memories, it can’t fake that a game in February actually means anything.

But I think there will be pride to play and a shot at the big ten still on the line. Don’t think either Michigan team will stay perfect going forward and I think Purdue matches up with both of them and Nebraska better than it did Illinois.

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Kyle:

Rolling with 7-2.

That is nothing to scoff at, either, just a five loss season is one of the best in the history of Purdue Hoops and will set them up nice for post season play.

The UCLA loss is looking much improved, IU is getting better as well.

There shouldn’t be a bad loss that we have, but it is more than people thought.

Drew:

I think 7-2 sounds about right. I would be surprised if Purdue lost more than 3 games or went undefeated down the stretch.

They split with the Michigan teams and drop a head scratcher at some point. They secure a top 3 seed in the tournament and hope the matchups are favorable.

This is still a team with legit National Championship aspirations.