Liam Murphy placed headphones over his ears and leaned back in a United Center locker last Sunday.
Finally, after three schools in six years, Purdue basketball’s senior transfer is going to the NCAA Tournament.
March Madness was almost a given when Murphy, who spent three seasons at Columbia before playing at North Florida last season, but Sunday, March 15’s Big Ten Tournament championship win over Michigan solidified what it was that initially drew him to Purdue.
“I haven’t won a championship in college,” Murphy said. “This is my sixth year, my fifth year playing. I haven’t held up a trophy in a long time. Confetti falling from the roof was pretty cool.”
The Staten Island native joined Purdue as one of college basketball’s top 3-point shooters but has had a limited role this season with the emergence of redshirt freshman Jack Benter, who like Murphy will play in his first NCAA Tournament.
“I’m really excited because it’s kind of a dream come true,” Benter said. “I’ve always wanted to play in March Madness. To go play in it is really special.”
Benter and Murphy are among five Boilermakers who could see their first NCAA Tournament action this weekend. Daniel Jacobsen likely would have last season had he not suffered a broken tibia in the season’s second game.
“This is something you grow up wanting to do your whole life,” Jacobsen said.
Unlike most everyone else on the roster, aside from Australian center Oscar Cluff, Purdue freshman Omer Mayer didn’t grow up watching the NCAA Tournament.
In Israel, there’s knowledge of March Madness, but viewing it is essentially seeing highlight plays on social media.
Still, Mayer is no stranger to what the Boilermakers are about to endure.
Last summer, Mayer averaged 20 points, five rebounds, 4.3 assists and two steals per game in four games playing for Israel in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland. Mayer averaged 17.9 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 11 FIBA games overall.
“I love pressure. When I think pressure, I am performing the best personally. …” Mayer said. “This is what I live for, those moments, tournaments, pressure. That’s what I love to do. I am glad I have the chance and opportunity here to be a part of that.”
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Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
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This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball is no stranger to March Madness, but some of its players are
Reporting by Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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