Feb 1, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermaker mascot Pete looks on in the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

In the 215th meeting in history, the Indiana Hoosiers will host the No. 16 Purdue Boilermakers on Thursday. We have the preview, statistics, analysis, and places to watch.

Rivalry week. One that resonates with fans all across the state of Indiana. Students, players, coaches, alumni, and fans from both Indiana and Purdue will have their eyes glued to the television. The Boilermakers will take the quick trip two hours south of West Lafayette.

The type of hate that is instilled in your blood, the minute you step foot on campus. It’s the type of rivalry that goes on 365 days a year, every year. The site of black and gold makes Indiana want to puke and the mentioning of Bobby Knight is enough to set Purdue fans off.

Normally Indiana has the luxury of sitting back and poking fun at Purdue basketball. Recently that has not been the case, especially this season. The Hoosiers have been floundering while the Boilermakers have quietly made their case as one of the best teams in the country.

Indiana is coming off a string of games in which there has been plenty of ups and downs. The Hoosiers have lost three of their last four games, including Sunday’s matchup against No. 7 Wisconsin. Thankfully for Indiana, their best scoring weapon will be returning to the floor. James Blackmon Jr. (17.6 ppg) will be a key asset in helping the Hoosier pull off an upset at Assembly Hall.

Purdue has arguably one of the best players in the country in Caleb Swanigan. The sure favorite to win Big Ten Player of the Year, Swanigan is averaging 19.1 points per game (2nd in Big Ten), 12.1 rebounds per game (1st in Big Ten) and shooting 54-percent from the field. Purdue is coming off two key wins including a 73-72 victory over No. 21 Maryland less than a week ago. The Boilermakers are winners of five of the last six games and continue to play consistently dominant basketball.

Here are some key statistics compiled comparing both teams courtesy of the Big Ten Conference.

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS (19-5, 8-3), Tied for 2nd in the Big Ten Conference 2nd Big Ten Conference Team Statistics and Position–Scoring: 82.2 (1st) Defense: 66.7 (6th) FG%: 48.6% (2nd) 3 Pt. FG%: 42.3% (1st) 3 Pt. FG% Defense: 32.8 (T5th)

Projected Starting Lineup

P.J. Thompson (G): 7.5 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.4 RPG, 46.9 FG%

Dakota Mathias (G): 10.3 PPG, 4.0 APG, 3.7 RPG, 49.4 FG%

Carsen Edwards (G): 10.9 PPG, 1.9 APG, 2.9 RPG, 39. 3 FG%

Vince Edwards (F): 11.3 PPG, 3.4 APG, 5.0 RPG, 45.7 FG%

Caleb Swanigan (F): 19.1 PPG, 2.8 APG, 12.1 RPG, 54.7 FG%

Off The Bench

Isaac Haas (C): 13.1 PPG, 0.7 APG, 5.1 RPG, 59.1 FG%

INDIANA HOOSIERS (15-9, 5-6), Tied for 8th in the Big Ten Conference 8th Big Ten Conference Statistics and Position —Scoring: 82.0 (2nd) Defense: 71.6 (12th) FG%: 49.1% (1st) 3 Pt. FG%: 38.8 (T2nd) 3 Pt. FG% Defense: 32.7% (4th)

4th best rebounding team +8 rebounding margin.

Projected Starting Lineup

Josh Newkirk (G): 8.5 PPG, 3.4 APG, 2.8 RPG, 43.4 FG%

James Blackmon Jr. (G): 17.6 PPG, 1.8 APG, 4.9 RPG, 49.4 FG%

Robert Johnson (G): 14.3 PPG, 2.2 APG, 4.3 RPG, 48.7 FG%

Juwan Morgan (F): 6.5 PPG, 1.2 APG, 5.2 RPG, 54.7 FG%

Thomas Bryant (C): 13.1 PPG, 1.3 APG, 7.1 RPG, 55.4 FG%

Off The Bench

De’Ron Davis (F): 6.0 PPG, 0.9 APG, 3.2 RPG, 52.3 FG%

Guards could be difference makers…

The return of Indiana’s best shooter and leader in points per game is huge. The Hoosiers have had nice outings from Josh Newkirk and Robert Johnson in Blackmon’s absence. James Blackmon Jr. has been the player the team has been leaning on, even more so after O.G. Anunoby’s season ending injury. Let’s hope Blackmon, who is the best three point shooter in the Big Ten, gets cooking early from beyond the arc.

Josh Newkirk has been excellent over the past two games. With the absence of Blackmon, Newkirk had 27 points against Penn State and 22 points against Wisconsin this past week. The Josh Newkirk we have all been waiting for has seemed to arrive just in time for the start of Indiana’s most important stretch of games. If Newkirk can find a way to continue scoring, adding Blackmon to the lineup can only benefit them offensively.

Purdue is the best shooting three-point team in the Big Ten. One would assume that the Boilermakers will be firing from beyond the arc early and often tonight. Indiana is going to have to do the same if they want to stay close.

Must win for Indiana?

Certainly people will look at this game as far more important to Indiana’s season than it is to Purdue. Sure, this game is important to Indiana. Must win? Not necessarily. Even if Indiana loses tonight it’s not the end-all be-all for the Hoosiers. They have games three games against the top teams in the Big Ten remaining (Purdue, Maryland, Northwestern).

In the same light, Indiana could help themselves out with a win at home against a Top-25 team. Knowing it will be tough to win on the road in West Lafayette in a few weeks, this win would give Indiana a split at the very least.

Home court advantage…

Purdue has only won one of their last six games at Assembly Hall. The Boilermakers have not been successful of late winning in Bloomington and that could play to the advantage of Tom Crean and the Hoosiers. Indiana has been statistically great at home and Assembly Hall provides the atmosphere like none other in the Big Ten.

“You are going to be on the road in one of the best environments in the Big Ten. You have to bring your A Game.” – Isaac Haas, Purdue, on playing at Assembly Hall

Game information…

When: Thursday, February 9th, 7:00PM ET

Television: ESPN 2

Radio: : IU RADIO NETWORK; SIRIUS 81, XM 81, INTERNET 81

Odds: Indiana +2.5