A&M is ranked 18th in the USA Today Coaches Poll and 17th in the Associated Press Top 25, while Purdue is ranked 11th in both the coaches poll and the AP poll. The Boilermakers entered the game 8-2 and were one of the premier offensive teams in the country.

Texas A&M (9-2) earned its most significant win of the year after defeating No. 11 Purdue 70-66 in the Indy Classic. While the matchup is listed as a neutral site game, this felt like an NCAA Tournament atmosphere surrounded by 90% Purdue fans.

Zhuric Phelps and Pharrel Payne each scored 16 points to lead No. 17 Texas A&M past No. 11 Purdue 70-66 in the first of two games at the Indy Classic.