WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA — Well, it’s official.

Right now, Purdue University’s men’s basketball team, which includes West Brighton resident Liam Murphy, is the nation’s preseason No. 1.

Many off-season polls had the Boilermakers as the top-ranked team, but the Associated Press made it official Monday after announcing the Big Ten powerhouse was sitting atop its pre-season rankings.

It’s the first time Purdue has been ranked No. 1 prior to the start of the season.

The Boilermakers received 35 of 61 first-place votes for the 2025-26 top spot. Head coach Matt Painter’s troops beat out Houston and defending National Champion Florida, who are currently right behind Purdue at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

“We are obviously excited to get the season going and being ranked No. 1 in the preseason is a great indicator of what we feel this team can accomplish,’’ Painter told the AP.

“But the goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the year,’’ added Painter, who is a Purdue alum. “We’re thrilled that people think this highly of our team, but there is a long ways to go and a lot of work to do to reach that goal in April.”

Previously, the Boilermakers preseason high was No. 2 under legendary head coach Gene Keady prior to the 1987-88 season.

The Boilermakers reached the Sweet 16 last season, one year after advancing to the National Championship game.

In addition to returning highly touted players like Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer, the Boilermakers have the 6-foot-8 Murphy — a former Jaques Award winner and St. Peter’s product — on its roster.

The Advance/SILive.com has been following Murphy in a series called “Murph’s March to Madness” since he announced he’d be transferring to Purdue last April.

For a look at why Staten Island should be excited about Murphy attending Purdue, please click here.

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