Purdue basketball is all set to make its much-anticipated annual visit to Indianapolis on Saturday, December 14. This event marks an important chapter in the team's season as they take on Texas A&M in the Indy Classic. The No. 11 Boilermakers, with a record of 8-2 and 1-1 in the Big Ten, have had a challenging weekend of conference play. They faced a tough loss to Penn State but managed to fend off a challenge from Maryland. One of Purdue's notable strengths is their shooting ability, making 40.8% of their 3-pointers, which ranks ninth in the nation. They are also willing to take their time on the shot clock, averaging 53.4 shots per game, although they are ranked 333 out of 364 in this regard. However, the Boilers are not overly dominant in terms of steals and blocks, averaging just 5.0 steals per game (ranked 323) and 2.2 blocks per game (ranked 304), resulting in relatively few fast break opportunities.

Texas A&M's Winning Streak and Game Characteristics

The No. 18 Aggies, on the other hand, have been on a winning streak, having won four consecutive games against power conference opponents such as Creighton, Rutgers, Wake Forest, and rival Texas Tech. Texas A&M may not have a great shooting percentage overall, standing at 41.2% and ranked 273rd, but they excel in rebounding. They lead the nation in offensive rebounds with 14.5 per game and convert 42.4% of their missed shots into offensive rebounds, both ranking first. This gives them a significant advantage in the rebound margin, with a +9.2 per game.