Purdue Drops to No. 8 in Latest AP College Basketball Top 25 Poll

A 68-65 road loss to Michigan State on Saturday caused Purdue basketball to fall to No. 8 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Boilermakers have a 24-5 overall record and are 13-5 in the Big Ten.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Following a 68-65 loss to Michigan State on Saturday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan, Purdue fell to No. 8 in this week's Associated Press College Basketball Top 25 poll. 

It's the lowest national ranking of the season for the Boilermakers, who sit at 24-5 and 13-5 in the Big Ten Conference. 

This week's AP Top 25 ranking. pic.twitter.com/QJpEmqIn39

— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) February 28, 2022

Gonzaga remained the No. 1 team in the nation, followed by Arizona. But after seven of the top 10 teams in the country lost last week, there's been a shakeup in the rest of the rankings. 

Purdue was among five Big Ten teams ranked and still the highest-rated team in the conference. The team's next opponent, Wisconsin, moved to No. 10. The other league teams in the top 25 included No. 20 Illinois, No. 23 Ohio State and No. 24 Iowa. Michigan State also received votes. 

Against the Spartans, the Boilermakers struggled to control the basketball, turning it over 17 times while only making one 3-pointer for the game. 

Sophomore center Zach Edey led the way with a career-high 25 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome a late 3-pointer by Michigan State junior guard Tyson Walker to go up by three in the final seconds. 

Purdue shot 52% from the field, but only attempted 48 shot attempts — a season-low. The team is scheduled to play Wisconsin at the Kohl Center on Tuesday starting at 9 p.m. ET.

AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Feb. 28

Here is the Week 17 Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll, with Big Ten teams in bold.

1. Gonzaga (24-3)
2. Arizona (25-3)
3. Baylor (24-3)
4. Duke (25-4)
5. Auburn (25-4)
6. Kansas (23-5)
7. Kentucky (23-6)
8. Purdue (24-5) 
9. Providence (24-3)
10. Wisconsin (23-5)
11. Villanova (21-7)
12. Texas Tech (22-7)
13. Tennessee (21-7)
14. Arkansas (23-6)
15. Houston (24-4)
16. USC (25-4)
17. UCLA (21-6)
18. UConn (21-7)
19. Saint Mary’s (24-6)
20. Illinois (20-8)
21. Texas (21-8) 
22. Murray State (28-2)
23. Ohio State (18-8)
24. Iowa (20-8)
25. Alabama (19-10)

Others receiving votes: 

Boise State 56, Davidson 20, Colorado State 19, South Dakota State 12, Notre Dame 9, LSU 7, Michigan State 6, San Diego State 5, Marquette 4, Iowa State 4, North Texas 3, Vermont 2, Northern Iowa 1

Stories Related to Purdue Basketball

• BIG TEN ROUNDUP: Maryland graduate guard Fatts Russell scored 27 points to lead the team to a 75-60 win over Ohio State on Sunday. The Terrapins have won three of their last four games. On the same day, Illinois beat Michigan in a shootout, keeping its Big Ten title hopes alive. CLICK HERE 
• PURDUE AMONG SEVEN TOP-10 TEAMS TO LOSE SATURDAY: Seven of the top 10 college basketball teams in the Associated Press poll were defeated Saturday, including No. 4 Purdue. It was the first time that many top 10 programs fell on the same day, which included every team in the top six. CLICK HERE 
• TURNOVERS DERAIL PURDUE AGAINST MICHIGAN STATE: Purdue basketball turned the ball over 17 times in its loss to Michigan State on Saturday at the Breslin Center. Zach Edey scored a career-high 25 points, but the Boilermakers couldn't muster enough opportunities to come out with a win. CLICK HERE
• MATT PAINTER ON TOM IZZO TYING BOB KNIGHT'S RECORD: Michigan State basketball head coach Tom Izzo earned his 662nd win with the program in a 68-65 victory over Purdue on Saturday. Boilermakers coach Matt Painter acknowledged the accomplishment after the game. CLICK HERE 

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