WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. | Florida A&M men's basketball travel to West Lafayette for the second time in program history as they look to upset the number one team in the nation Thursday, December 29, at 5 p.m.
 
The Rattlers will play Purdue for the second time in program history, as they lost to the 7th-ranked Boilermakers in 1997. This will also be the second time the Rattlers play the number one team in the nation as they lost to the 1999 National Champions and number one ranked Duke in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Where you can watch
 
Watch: Fox Sports
 
Coaches in the game
 
Robert McCullum
FAMU Record, Conference Record: 56-96, 44-34 (6th Season)
Career Record: 140-217 (13th Season)
 
Matt Painter
Purdue Record: 396-192 (18th Season)
Career Record: 421-197 (19th Season)
 
Scouting the Rattlers
• Jaylen Bates leads the Rattlers in scoring (10.9 PPG) after scoring a career-high 21 points at Kentucky. Jordan Tillmon (10 PPG), Dimingus Stevens (8.3 PPG), and Byron Smith (8 PPG) are behind Bates, as the Rattlers have four averaging 8+ PPG.
• Bates leads the Rattlers in rebounds, averaging 6.9 RPG and double-doubles with two (both in wins).
• The Rattlers' strength this season has been crashing the offensive glass (11.4 ORPG) and forcing turnovers (14.5 PG)
 
Scouting the Boilermakers
• The number one ranked Boilermakers are coming off their 12th win after defeating New Orleans 74-53.
• The Boilermakers' success goes through the play of Zach Edey (#15) Edey leads the team in scoring (22.6 PPG), rebounding (13.9 RPG), and blocks (2 BPG).
• Zach Edey isn't just the Boilermakers' best player, but one of the best in the nation as he leads the nation in rebounds per game (13.9) and offensive rebounds per game (5.55), second in double-doubles (9), and fifth in points per game (22.6).
• As a team, the Boilermakers are outrebounding their opponents by 12.2 rebounds per game (leads the nation)
 
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