Purdue Upsets Alabama at Mackey Arena

In a major nonconference college basketball matchup, No. 13 Purdue upset No. 2 Alabama with an 87-78 victory at Mackey Arena, extending their nonconference winning streak to 39 games. Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn led the game with 26 points, while Braden Smith added a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists. The Boilermakers overcame a six-point deficit in the second half with a crucial 13-0 run that included three consecutive three-pointers by freshman C.J. Cox. Alabama struggled defensively, allowing Purdue to shoot 49% from the field, despite strong performances from Labaron Philon and Mark Sears. Sears, a preseason All-American, had a challenging night, finishing with 15 points on 5 of 15 shooting. This victory marks a significant test for Purdue following the departure of Zach Edey, as they prepare for upcoming games against other ranked opponents like Marquette and Auburn.