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The 2026-27 college basketball season begins with a high-profile matchup as Purdue takes on No. 15 Gonzaga on Monday night in Las Vegas. The game, part of the Hall of Fame Series, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT, TruTV and HBO Max. Purdue Boilermakers ON SI will provide live updates, scores, highlights and analysis throughout the game.
Monday's contest presents a significant early opportunity for both programs. One team will leave Las Vegas with a quality win on its resume to start the season. Purdue leads the all-time series 5-0, with three of those victories coming in the last five years. Gonzaga, under coach Mark Few, will be aiming for its first win over the Boilermakers. Both teams experienced considerable roster turnover in the offseason, adding intrigue to the matchup.
Purdue is expected to stick with the same starting lineup it used in all three exhibition games: Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris and C.J. Cox at guard, Caden Pierce at forward and Daniel Jacobsen at center. Gonzaga will counter with a veteran lineup featuring Davis Fogle, Xaivian Lee and Isiah Harwell at guard, Braden Huff at forward and Massamba Diop at center. The Bulldogs bring size and playmaking ability, and they are known for their transition game.
Key Analysis
The season opener offers a rare early-season test between two premier programs. For Purdue, it's a chance to extend its perfect series record against Gonzaga and make a statement in a new era. For Gonzaga, it's an opportunity to earn a signature win and snap its losing streak against the Boilermakers. With both teams dealing with roster changes, the game will provide an early indication of how each squad stacks up against top-tier competition. The neutral-site setting in Las Vegas adds to the excitement, and college basketball fans are in for a treat as two well-coached teams go head-to-head.