Through the first weekend of March Madness, Purdue has continued to show why they’re one of the best teams in college basketball.
On Sunday, the No. 2-seeded Boilermakers punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 with a hard-fought 79–69 win over the Miami Hurricanes, surviving a late push in a game that swung wildly in St. Louis.
For stretches, Purdue looked in full control. Then came Miami’s surge, trimming an 11-point deficit down to a single-possession game in the final minute.
But behind clutch free throws and steady execution, the Boilermakers slammed the door shut.
Fletcher Loyer led the charge with 24 points, while Trey Kaufman-Renn added 19 in a balanced offensive effort that once again showcased Purdue’s efficiency under pressure.
That result alone would be headline-worthy. But the bigger story came moments after the final buzzer.
Purdue is heading to its third straight Sweet 16, tying the longest such streak in program history.
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Purdue’s last two NCAA Tournament runs set the foundation for this current streak.
In 2024, the Boilermakers, led by National Player of the Year Zach Edey (40 points, 16 rebounds vs. Tennessee), powered to the national championship game, beating Gonzaga, Tennessee, and NC State, before falling to UConn.
The following season, Purdue retooled and returned to the Sweet 16 as a No. 4 seed, defeating High Point and McNeese before a heartbreaking 62–60 loss to Houston on a last-second play.
Across both runs, Braden Smith’s playmaking and Edey’s dominance defined Purdue’s identity in March.
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Even with Edey now in the NBA, this current Purdue team entered the tournament battle-tested.
A 28–8 record, a Big Ten Tournament title, and one of the most efficient offenses in the country made them a legitimate contender from day one.
Everything starts with Smith, the engine of the offense, orchestrating with precision. Around him, shooters like Loyer and versatile forwards like Kaufman-Renn give Purdue a multi-layered attack that can beat teams inside or out.
Through two tournament games, that formula has held, dismantling Queens University 104-71 in Round 1 only to show a composed, resilient win over Miami two days later.
Now comes the next test, and it won’t be easy.
Purdue advances to the West Region semifinals, and waiting for them is a red-hot Texas Longhorns squad fresh off a stunning upset of Gonzaga.
Texas, playing with house money and riding momentum, may be the underdog, but they’re far from a team Matt Painter and his Boilermakers can afford to overlook.
