Valparaiso pulled off a major college basketball upset on Friday night in West Lafayette, Indiana, handing Purdue an 83-80 loss in double overtime thanks to a dramatic buzzer-beating 3-pointer. The stunning defeat dropped the heavily favored Boilermakers to an 0-2 start for the first time since the 1976-77 season.
Valparaiso pulls off stunning upset over Purdue
The dramatic finish at Mackey Arena unfolded in the final seconds of the second extra period. With the score tied at 80, Valpo guard Justus McNair drained a corner 3-pointer as time expired to secure the victory.
The dramatic game-winner capped off a fierce comeback. Purdue had controlled the early momentum of the matchup, leading by as many as 15 points in the first half. However, Valparaiso fought back and forced the first overtime when Rakim Chaney hit a clutch 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at 70.
Historic struggles and broken streaks for the Boilermakers
Entering the contest, the Boilermakers were 19.5-point favorites against Valparaiso. The defeat snapped multiple historical milestones for the program:
- A 23-game home winning streak during the month of November.
- The program's first home loss against a Missouri Valley Conference opponent since 1978, when they fell to an Indiana State squad led by Larry Bird.
Furthermore, this early-season stumble follows a broader trend of major upsets during opening week, mirroring Oklahoma dropping a game to East Texas A&M as 28.5-point favorites.
Roster transition impacts early season
The early-season struggles for Purdue follow a period of heavy roster turnover. The program is navigating a major transition after the departures of Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer.
That departing trio formed one of the most experienced groups in college basketball, guiding the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight in their final campaign together. Kaufman-Renn is currently playing his sixth college basketball season with Kansas after receiving a preliminary injunction against the NCAA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Valparaiso vs Purdue game?
Valparaiso defeated Purdue 83-80 in double overtime on Friday night.
When was the last time Purdue started a season 0-2?
Purdue's 0-2 start is the program's first since the 1976-77 college basketball season.
Who hit the game-winning shot for Valparaiso?
Valpo guard Justus McNair knocked down a corner 3-pointer as time expired in the second overtime to win the game.