All articles tagged with #purdue
Florida's 7'9 center Olivier Rioux, the tallest player in March Madness history, has entered the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons with the Gators, with Purdue, Florida Atlantic and Arizona State listed as potential destinations for more playing time and development.
At halftime of Purdue vs. Arizona, Charles Barkley criticized Arizona's first-half effort, pointing to Purdue’s edge on the boards and Arizona’s shooting struggles. Purdue closed the half strong with strong defense and multi-shot opportunities, while Arizona’s Bradley and Krivas have to elevate their play for a comeback. The Wildcats need to win the paint and curb Purdue’s pace if they want to stay competitive in the game.
Arizona defeated Purdue 79-64 in the Elite Eight in San Jose to reach its first Final Four in 25 years, with coach Tommy Lloyd cutting down the nets and Koa Peat fueling the second-half surge as Purdue’s night ended with Braden Smith walking off in defeat.
Arizona trailed Purdue by seven at halftime but exploded for a 48-26 second half to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. Coach Tommy Lloyd emphasized a player-led locker room and effective halftime adjustments, while players praised defense on Purdue’s guards, the team’s togetherness, and the support from a passionate Tucson crowd as they prepare for Indiana. Koa Peat and other Wildcats were highlighted for delivering in key moments as Arizona cemented its historic run.
Arizona erased a seven-point halftime deficit and pulled away in the second half to defeat Purdue 79-64, earning a long-awaited Final Four berth for the first time since 2001. Freshman Koa Peat led the effort with 20 points as Arizona controlled the paint and sealed the win, setting up a possible showdown with Michigan or Tennessee in Indianapolis. Purdue’s trio of seniors—Loyer, Smith, and Kaufman-Renn—also wrote a memorable chapter, ending their era as they exit the tournament.
Purdue faces KenPom No. 1 Arizona in a high-stakes showdown that should favor Purdue’s experience if they can slow the pace and control the boards. The piece outlines Arizona’s young, talented roster, Purdue’s veteran rotation led by Braden Smith, and suggests a grind-it-out game that pairs Purdue’s set defense with limiting fast-breaks, trading 2-pointers for Purdue’s 3s, to keep the game within reach and potentially pull off an upset.
Eight teams remain in the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament, ranked by national championship odds from No. 1 to No. 8: Michigan, Arizona, Duke, Illinois, Purdue, UConn, Iowa, and Tennessee. The Elite Eight matchups are Illinois vs Iowa and Arizona vs Purdue in one region, and Michigan vs Tennessee and Duke vs UConn in the other. The piece highlights Michigan’s ceiling, Arizona’s balance and dominance, and notes Duke’s injuries, Illinois’ peak form, Purdue’s high-powered offense, UConn’s strong coaching with some inconsistency, Iowa’s grind-heavy style led by Stirtz, and Tennessee’s rebounding toughness as factors shaping the title race.
A Purdue expert argues the Boilermakers must slow the game to counter Arizona’s offense, relying on a veteran core—Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn—to guide them. After a clunky 4-for-20 from three against Texas, Purdue’s improved defense and pace control give them a real chance to advance, with a predicted final score of 78-75 in favor of Purdue, signaling a potential return to the Final Four driven by experience and efficient ball movement.
Purdue edged Texas 79-77 on Trey Kaufman-Renn’s last-second tip-in to reach the Elite Eight, capping a dramatic Sweet 16 run; Arizona routed Arkansas 109-88 to advance to the regional final; Houston was held to 65-55 by Illinois in a disappointing exit for the top-seeded Cougars; the piece also highlights standout performances, cheers/jeers, and previews Friday’s schedule.
In a clutch Sweet 16 finish, Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn rose to tip in Braden Smith’s miss with less than a second left, giving the Boilers a 79–77 win over Texas and sending them to the Elite Eight behind a veteran core that has powered the program through a long March run.
Purdue escaped Texas 79-77 in the Sweet 16 when Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in Braden Smith's miss with 0.7 seconds left, sending the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight to face Arizona. Kaufman-Renn finished with 20 points, Loyer 18, Smith 16, while Texas' Jordan Pope poured in 29. Purdue won with 22 second-chance points and despite a cold night from three (only Loyer hit multiple threes), and the win gave Purdue's senior class a school-record 117 victories over four seasons.
Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in Braden Smith's miss with 0.7 seconds left to lift No. 2 Purdue to a 79-77 win over No. 11 Texas in the Sweet 16, advancing the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight against Arizona or Arkansas; Texas star Tramon Mark scored 29 despite a painful left-foot limp.
Purdue edged Texas 79-77 on Trey Kaufman-Renn’s game-winning tip-in, while Iowa overcame Nebraska 77-71; Illinois downed Houston 65-55, and Arizona routed Arkansas 109-88. The four winners advance to the Elite Eight, with full recaps available.
Purdue held off Texas 79-77 on a late tip-in by Trey Kaufman-Renn after Braden Smith’s near-miss, sending the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons. Loyer started hot for Purdue with 18 points amid a cold shooting night from deep (4-of-20 as a team), while Texas’ Tramon Mark exploded for 29 points. CJ Cox contributed 10 points and eight rebounds after a game-time decision, and Purdue’s defense clamped down late to secure the win as Cluff fouled out with 11 seconds remaining. Purdue will face the winner of Arizona-Arkansas in the upcoming Elite Eight.
Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in Braden Smith’s miss with 0.7 seconds left to lift Purdue to a 79-77 win over Texas in the Sweet 16, sending the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight against top-seeded Arizona; Texas star Tramon Mark scored 29 in a valiant late bid.