Purdue fans are getting used to this exhilarating ride as the Boilermakers march back into the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year, following a 79-69 triumph over No. 7 seed Miami (Fla.).
Fletcher Loyer was the star of the show, dropping 24 points, while Trey Kaufman-Renn contributed significantly with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Braden Smith had a rollercoaster of a game. He tallied 12 points and eight assists but also matched a career-high with eight turnovers, struggling with his shot at 3-of-12 from the field. Yet, Smith showed resilience, nailing four crucial free throws in the final minute to fend off Miami's late surge and seal the deal for Purdue.
Adding to the excitement, Smith reached a milestone by becoming the NCAA's all-time assist leader on Friday. Meanwhile, Sunday’s victory marked a significant achievement for Matt Painter, as he notched his 500th win in a 21-season coaching career at Purdue.
The Boilermakers were on fire from beyond the arc, shooting a sizzling 57% (8-of-14) and an impressive 53% (25-of-47) overall from the field.
On the other side, Miami was powered by Malik Reneau, who put up 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists. The Hurricanes wrapped up their season with a 26-9 record under the guidance of first-year head coach Jai Lucas.
Next up for Purdue is a showdown with No. 11 seed Texas, promising more thrilling action in their quest for glory.