Purdue vs Texas basketball highlights: Boilermakers edge Longhorns in Sweet 16 Texas' dream of advancing from the First Four to the Final Four ended in heartbreak, as Purdue secured a dramatic 79-77 victory over the Longhorns in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 26. The Boilermakers’ win, decided by a last-second tip-in from Trey Kaufman-Renn, propelled them to the Elite Eight, where they will face the winner of Arizona and Arkansas. Kaufman-Renn, who finished with a team-high 20 points and eight rebounds, delivered the game-winning play with 0.7 seconds remaining. He tipped in a missed layup by Braden Smith, breaking a 78-78 tie. The Boilermakers’ victory marked their fourth Sweet 16 appearance in five seasons, following a late-season slump that saw them go 2-4 in their final regular-season games. Coach Matt Painter’s team has since won seven consecutive games, including a Big Ten tournament title. Texas, led by Tramon Mark’s 29 points, struggled to contain Purdue’s dynamic offense. Mark, who made 11 of 15 shots despite an injured ankle, carried the Longhorns for much of the game. However, Purdue’s combination of Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer, who added 18 points, proved too much. The Boilermakers’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and defensive stops was critical, particularly in the final minutes. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading leads throughout. At the final media timeout of regulation, Purdue and Texas were tied at 70 with 3:56 remaining. Texas held a narrow 65-63 lead in the third quarter, but Purdue’s relentless scoring and clutch plays in the final minutes shifted momentum. Injuries also played a role in the outcome. Texas’ Jordan Pope, who had been listed as questionable due to an ankle injury from their second-round win over Gonzaga, was on the court but not among the starters.#texas #purdue #braden_smith #tramon_mark #trey_kaufmanrenn
Trey Kaufman-Renn’s last-second putback gives Purdue victory over Texas, advances to Elite 8 Purdue’s No. 2 seed Boilermakers secured a thrilling 79-77 win over 11th-seeded Texas in the Sweet 16, sending them to the Elite Eight with a dramatic final play. The game remained tightly contested throughout, with Texas closing the gap in the final moments. With 11 seconds remaining, Texas’ Dailyn Swain scored and was fouled, tying the game at 77. Purdue retained possession and turned to guard Braden Smith, who drove to the basket but missed the potential game-winning shot. Fortunately for Purdue, Kaufman-Renn was positioned to grab the rebound and immediately score a putback, giving his team a 78-77 lead with 0.7 seconds left. Texas had no time to respond, as the buzzer sounded, sealing Purdue’s victory. The win marks a significant milestone for Purdue, continuing their strong performance in the NCAA tournament. Kaufman-Renn was instrumental in the victory, finishing with a team-high 20 points. His clutch play in the final seconds underscored his importance to the Boilermakers’ success. The Boilermakers will now face the winner of the matchup between No. 1 Arizona and No. 4 Arkansas in the Elite Eight, with a potential trip to the Final Four on the line. The game’s intensity and last-minute drama highlighted the unpredictability of the tournament. Purdue’s ability to capitalize on critical moments, particularly in the final seconds, proved decisive. While Texas’ efforts to rally were commendable, Purdue’s resilience and execution in high-pressure situations secured their advancement. The result also emphasizes the competitive nature of the tournament, where underdog teams can challenge higher-seeded opponents. As Purdue moves closer to the Final Four, the focus will shift to preparing for their next challenge.#purdue #braden_smith #trey_kaufmanrenn #sweet_16 #dailyn_swain
Purdue basketball advances to the Elite Eight after a thrilling Sweet 16 victory March 26, 2026 Purdue’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 79-77 win over 11-seed Texas in the Sweet 16 round of March Madness, advancing to the Elite Eight. The Boilermakers overcame a shaky 3-point shooting performance to edge out the Longhorns in a tightly contested game at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. A crucial tip-in by Trey Kaufman-Renn sealed the victory after Braden Smith’s drive missed the rim, giving Purdue the lead. Fletcher Loyer led the way for Purdue, hitting four of his first eight 3-point attempts, while the rest of the team struggled from beyond the arc, going 0 for 12. This allowed Texas’ Tramon Mark to thrive, scoring a game-high 29 points on 15 shots. Despite the Longhorns’ hot shooting, Purdue’s defense and clutch plays kept them in the game. The Boilermakers’ senior-laden squad, now 30-8, will face Arizona in the Elite Eight, continuing their seven-game winning streak. All five scorers reached double figures in the victory. Purdue’s next game will be against Arizona in the Elite Eight, set for Saturday, March 28, at 8:49 p.m. ET. The matchup will be broadcast on TBS and truTV, with analysts Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, and sideline reporter Allie LaForce calling the action. Fans can stream the game via Fubo. Tickets for the Purdue vs. Arizona Elite Eight game are available on StubHub, starting at $183. The Boilermakers’ journey to the Elite Eight highlights their resilience, as they continue to build on their Big Ten title success.#texas #purdue #sap_center #braden_smith #trey_kaufman_renn
Purdue Boilermakers Advance to March Madness Second Round The No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers secured their place in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament after defeating No. 15 Queens Royals by a score of 104-71 in the first round. The game, held in St. Louis on Friday night, saw Purdue dominate from the outset, building a 45-33 lead at halftime. Purdue guard Braden Smith made history by becoming the all-time leader in career assists in men’s Division I basketball during the contest. The Boilermakers’ commanding performance extended to a final margin of 33 points, showcasing their strength and depth. With the victory, Purdue will face No. 7 Miami in the Round of 32 on Sunday, March 22. The matchup is set to take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, where the Boilermakers will aim to continue their strong run in the tournament. Purdue’s path to the second round was marked by their No. 2 seed in the West regional, a position that reflects their strong season performance. The team’s next challenge will be against the Hurricanes, who advanced by defeating No. 10 Missouri in their opening game. The 2026 March Madness tournament kicked off on March 17 with the First Four, and the first two rounds will span from March 19 to March 22. The tournament will conclude with the Final Four on April 4 and the National Championship game on April 6. For fans hoping to attend the Purdue-Miami matchup, the Enterprise Center will host the Round of 32 game. While limited tickets remain for the first weekend of the tournament, the Boilermakers’ next game is a key event in the bracket. Purdue’s schedule for the tournament includes their Round of 32 game against Miami, with the exact tip-off time yet to be announced. If the Boilermakers advance further, they would face the Sweet 16 in San Jose, Calif.#miami #braden_smith #enterprise_center #purdue_boilermakers #queens_royals
NCAA Tournament Player Props: Picks for Zuby Ejiofor, Braden Smith & Tarris Reed for Friday On the first full day of NCAA Tournament action, several standout performances emerged, with players like Tyler Tanner, Terence Hill Jr., and Morez Johnson leading the way. For Friday’s games, the focus shifts to a pair of Big East big men who have been dominant throughout the season, along with Braden Smith, whose potential for a historic night may still result in an underperforming stat line. Here’s a breakdown of the key player props for Friday’s first-round matchups. Zuby Ejiofor is set to face Northern Iowa in a matchup that favors his offensive skills. Ejiofor, a First-Team All-Big East selection and recipient of the Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards, has been a consistent scorer, averaging 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. His recent form has been exceptional, with 18 points in each of his past five games and an average of 20.6 points over that stretch. St. John’s, which has won 19 of its last 20 games, enters the tournament with a strong offensive identity. While the team is not known for its three-point shooting, head coach Rick Pitino may prioritize inside scoring, which should benefit Ejiofor. Northern Iowa’s defense ranks third nationally in three-point shooting allowed but struggles against two-pointers, making this a favorable matchup for Ejiofor. The pick leans toward him exceeding 17.5 points. Braden Smith, a consensus First-Team All-American, is poised to make history by becoming the NCAA’s all-time assist leader. However, his prop line for Friday’s game against Queens NC may be too high. Smith averages nine assists per game but has stayed under 10.5 assists in 71% of his games this season.#st_johns #zuby_ejiofor #braden_smith #northern_university #tarris_reed
Purdue Men’s Basketball vs. Queens: Staff Predictions Purdue begins its 2026 NCAA Tournament campaign today, facing Queens in a matchup that highlights the unpredictability of the early rounds. After Duke’s struggles against Siena and Wisconsin’s loss to High Point, the Boilermakers are reminded that no team should be underestimated. The game serves as a wake-up call for higher-seeded teams, especially as Queens brings a fast-paced offensive style and a roster of shooters. Purdue’s focus must be on containing the Royals’ rhythm and asserting dominance from the outset. The staff predicts a decisive Purdue victory, citing the Boilermakers’ superior offensive efficiency and defensive capabilities. Queens, ranked 78th in offensive efficiency, faces a stark contrast against Purdue’s top-ranked KenPom offense and top-40 defense. The Royals’ struggles on defense, particularly their 319th-ranked rating, make them vulnerable to Purdue’s high-level execution. The Boilermakers’ ability to control the tempo and limit turnovers will be critical, as Queens’ reliance on perimeter shooting could be exploited. Staff members emphasize Purdue’s depth and experience, noting that Braden Smith’s playmaking and Omer’s contributions will be pivotal. The team’s focus on ball movement and strategic adjustments, such as closing gaps with quick transitions, should neutralize Queens’ fast breaks. While the Royals may start strong, Purdue’s dominance in key areas—like rebounding and defensive stops—will likely shift momentum in their favor. The predictions lean toward a blowout, with scores ranging from a 20-point win to a 25-point margin. Analysts highlight Purdue’s recent tournament success, particularly their ability to dominate lower-ranked opponents after the FDU loss.#kenpom #purdue_men_s_basketball #queens #braden_smith #omer
