Purdue Calls on Fans to 'Black Out Mackey' for Rivalry Clash vs. Indiana

Purdue is calling on its fans to "black out Mackey" for Friday's in-state rivalry clash with Indiana. The Boilermakers swept the Hoosiers last season.
Purdue's Paint Crew cheers as the Boilermaker starters are announced
Purdue's Paint Crew cheers as the Boilermaker starters are announced / Zach Piatt / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Purdue wants to create an elite environment for Friday's game against Indiana in West Lafayette. The basketball program is calling for fans to "black out Mackey" for the in-state rivalry clash between the Boilermakers and Hoosiers.

On Wednesday morning, Purdue's social media team sent out a message calling for a "Blackout" for the big game. The Boilers also "blacked out" Mackey during last year's meeting with the Hoosiers.

Purdue defeated Indiana 79-59 at Mackey Arena last year, sweeping the season series. The Boilermakers have won 15 of the last 19 meetings with the Hoosiers.

Purdue enters this matchup having won eight of its last nine games. Indiana, on the other hand, dropped both of its contests last week, falling to Northwestern and Maryland.

But coach Matt Painter expects Indiana to play with a lot of focus and energy when it enters the building Friday night.

"Always understand you're going to get their best effort. But you always prepare for somebody's best. Don't look at them and say, 'This guy is streaky.' ... Always take guys at their best," he said on Purdue Basketball Live.

"When you look at (Oumar) Ballo, you look at (Malik) Reneau, and (Mackenzie) Mgbako, they're very, very talented guys. Look at them at their best. Sometimes, when you're piecing a team together, you don't get everybody's best ... Those guys on their front line, they're tough to deal with. They have good guards — (Myles) Rice is a good player, Trey Galloway is a good two-way player, Luke Goode has really helped them."

Tipoff between Purdue and Indiana is set for 8 p.m. ET and the game airs on FOX.

Related stories on Purdue basketball

PAINTER TALKS IU MATCHUP: No. 10 Purdue hosts Indiana on Friday at Mackey Arena. Matt Painter says he expects the Hoosiers to give the Boilermakers their best shot. CLICK HERE

PAINTER EVALUATES PURDUE: Through the first half of the Big Ten schedule, Purdue is 8-2 and in position to compete for a Big Ten title. Matt Painter evaluated where his team stands. CLICK HERE

PAINTER TALKS DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT: Purdue's defense has improved tremendously over the last month. Coach Matt Painter explained why the Boilermakers have been more successful recently. CLICK HERE

PURDUE-IU A 'MUST WATCH' GAME: One of the greatest rivalries in college basketball gets renewed on Friday, when Indiana travels to play Purdue at Mackey Arena. CLICK HERE


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