Purdue basketball has never been ranked No. 1, but it's had some close calls

Matthew VanTryon, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read

Purdue fans hoped the Boilermakers might reach the top spot in the AP poll for the first time in program history Monday, but it came in at No. 2 (with nine first-place votes).

Here are other times Purdue had been within reach of the top spot.

Purdue reaches No. 3 for a month in 2018

Purdue forward Vincent Edwards (12) looks to make a play defended by Butler guard Henry Baddley (20) in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Little Caesars Arena.
Purdue forward Vincent Edwards (12) looks to make a play defended by Butler guard Henry Baddley (20) in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Little Caesars Arena.

The Boilermakers were ranked the No. 3 team in the country for four weeks in 2018, beginning Jan. 15 when they were 17-2. They stayed at the No. 3 spot through Feb. 5 (when they were 23-2). No. 1 Villanova lost on Feb. 7 but Purdue started a three-game losing streak the same day, falling to No. 14 Ohio State, No. 4 Michigan State and Wisconsin. The three losses came by a combined eight points.

They finished the season ranked No. 11 (28-6).

More: No letdown as Purdue basketball crushes Omaha

Purdue has brief appearance at No. 3 in 2010

Purdue reached No. 3 in the AP poll on Feb. 22, 2010, when it was 23-3. A loss to Michigan State the following week sent them down to No. 7. They ended the season at No. 10 (27-5).

More: Purdue basketball sophomore Mason Gillis working his way back into rotation

Purdue reaches No. 4 in 1996

The Boilermakers finished the 1995-1996 season ranked No. 4 in the country (25-4), after having not been ranked midway through the season. The team won 21 of 23 games from Dec. 16-March 2.

Purdue is No. 2 in 1987 preseason, falls and bounces back

Purdue coach Gene Keady celebrates the 1988 Big Ten championship with, from left, Troy Lewis, Todd Mitchell and Everette Stephens.
Purdue coach Gene Keady celebrates the 1988 Big Ten championship with, from left, Troy Lewis, Todd Mitchell and Everette Stephens.

There were high expectations for the Boilermakers heading into the 1987-1988 season, when they were ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll. A loss to Iowa State in the second game of the season dropped them to No. 11 the following week. Purdue was sixth when the top four teams -- Arizona, UNLV, BYU and Duke -- all lost, moving Temple from fifth to first and Purdue to No. 2. But Temple finished the regular season on a 15-game winning streak and Purdue finished at No. 3. The Boilermakers finished the season 29-4.

Purdue starts 1969 season at No. 3, but quickly falls

The Boilermakers began the 1969 season at No. 3 in the poll, but a loss at Ohio in the second game of the season dropped them to No. 14. Their last appearance in the poll that season came at No. 17 on Dec. 29. They finished the season 18-6.

Follow IndyStar trending sports reporter Matthew VanTryon on Twitter @MVanTryon and email him story ideas at matthew.vantryon@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball has never been No. 1 in AP poll, but has been close