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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Trey Kaufman-Renn #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers shoots against the Queens University Royals in the first half during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Poise.
That is the biggest takeaway from this game. Purdue just looked so comfortable and was never rattled throughout. Yes, the Hurricanes got all kinds of second chances, but Purdue was steady at the line going 21 of 22. Braden Smith had a rough game with 8 turnovers, but still had some big assists and salted it away at the line. When it mattered most Trey Kaufman-Renn got the game’s biggest rebound with 39 seconds left and Purdue up 6.
Miami is a really good team. They did what they needed to do to have a chance by getting physical with the Boilers on the glass. What they needed was better three-point shooting. If the Hurricanes don’t go 1 of 11 in the second half from three I am writing a very different article right now.
Some notes:
- I really hope CJ Cox is okay. His three straight threes to end the first half saved us just when Miami was building a bit of a lead. The Canes were up 7, but those three in a row flipped the game. If he is gone it is one of the deeper positions on the team with Gicarri Harris and Omer Mayer to fill in, or even Javk Benter, but Cox has played really well of late and we can’t lose him.
- TKR was dominant early and often. They had no answer for him.
- Another huge game for Fletcher Loyer. He is showing that he will go down firing in this tourney.
- Only five bench points, all from Gicarri. We’re gonna need more in the next round, especially if Cox is out.
- Oscar Cluff: still a difference maker. The big man does all the dirty work really well.
- really concerned we gave up 40 points in the first half. Second half defense was better, but this is a rout if we win the glass.
- We get to face Camden Heide now! If Cox is out we can just take him back, right?
- Three straight Sweet 16s and four in five years. There are two B1G titles, two B1G tourney titles, and four years with a No. 1 ranking. Let’s just appreciate where this program is right now and with another Final Four in six days we will truly be among the elite programs in America right now.
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