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
