Purdue’s non-conference streak has become absurd

Purdue now has the fourth-longest regular season non-conference winning streak in history. It may also have the most impressive, with all due respect to Syracuse’s 52-game winning streak of the same kind.

That’s because, with Friday’s 87-78 upset of then-No. 2 Alabama earned the Boilers their ninth win of their 39-game streak over a ranked opponent, tying Syracuse.

Of the nine, seven opponents have been ranked in the Top 10 by the AP Poll. That’s where Purdue really sets itself apart. The three teams with longest streaks in their history – Illinois, North Carolina and Syracuse – have just six Top 10 wins combined.

The chances of Purdue’s success are staggering. According to historical betting data from Odds Shark, the Boilers’ chance to win all seven of those Top 10 matchups was half a percentage point — there have been No. 16 seeds with much better shots (Purdue should know).

How has Purdue done it? What is its secret? That may have to do with the program’s defining trait of the past half-decade: Purdue has been a national leader in continuity, taking just two transfers over the past four seasons in veteran guards David Jenkins and Lance Jones.

“I think since I’ve been here, our older players have always done a good job of preparing the younger guys from the ground up,” junior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn said Monday. “I think a lot of times, especially with the transfer portal, you have teams that are going and trying to come together.”

The flip side of the impressive wins in giving Purdue its streak so far is an avoidance of the upsets that have ended other schools’ runs. Kaufman-Renn said that was due to coach Matt Painter and his staff’s insistence that their players “respect everyone.”

“I’ve never seen a program that emphasizes that as much as Purdue does,” he said.

As Purdue continues to make history for its non-conference play, Purdue’s lone senior, Caleb Furst, can’t help but notice. He’s thought about it: “A little bit, for sure,” he said. “Obviously it’s a streak I hope to continue.”

But as impressive as it is, teams aren’t hanging banners for fall success. And that’s where Painter is coming from when he talks about his team’s run over the last four years.

“The streak is cool,” he said. “But it’s more of a streak this year is what we’re trying to work on.”

If Purdue is to continue its streak, the one in the record books and four games old this season, it would need another impressive win: The Boilers play at No. 14 Marquette on Tuesday.

“We have to play better than we did against Alabama if we expect to beat Marquette on the road,” Painter said. It starts with his veterans.

“You’ve got to get the guys that have been there before to not just talk about winning on the road,” Painter said. “Like, show them how you win on the road. Show the physical and mental toughness.”