Kentucky Upsets Purdue; Purdue Football Struggles

No. 9 Kentucky upset No. 1 Purdue 78-65 in an exhibition at Rupp Arena, a non‑counting game in which Kentucky shot 49.2% to Purdue’s 38.6% and dominated the boards and key areas — second‑chance points 14‑4, fast‑break points 15‑5 and bench scoring 34‑18. Freshman Jasper Johnson led Kentucky with 15 points, three Wildcats finished in double figures, and 10 players logged meaningful minutes; coach Mark Pope tempered the hype while Purdue coach Matt Painter called it a useful “quiz,” citing transition defense, rebounding and a 3‑for‑17 mark from three as concerns. Separately, Purdue’s football program is mired in a rebuild under first‑year coach Barry Odom, entering play 2‑6 overall and 0‑5 in Big Ten games and carrying a 14‑game conference losing streak. The Boilermakers lost 27‑24 at home to Rutgers after a late Ryan Browne fumble set up the game‑winning field goal, and Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis and KJ Duff had big passing games that exposed Purdue’s secondary. Odom praised his players’ effort but acknowledged turnover margin (minus‑11, worst in the Big Ten), talent lost to the transfer portal and depth issues as major obstacles, especially ahead of a matchup with a Michigan defense that excels at forcing turnovers.