SAN JOSE, Calif. — Purdue basketball will play in its seventh Sweet 16 in the past nine NCAA Tournaments this week against an unexpected 2026 March Madness darling.
The No. 2 Boilermakers (29-8) are at SAP Center in California to face No. 11 Texas (21-14) in a West Regional semifinal. Purdue waltzed through its first two rounds by double digits, while Texas had to play its way out of the First Four before knocking out two teams picked by many to still be alive in the Sweet 16.
Purdue had no trouble cruising by Queens in the opening round before needing a strong second half to hold off Miami in the second round. Texas beat North Carolina State, BYU and Gonzaga by a combined 16 points. Former Boiler Cam Heide sealed the upset over No. 3 Gonzaga with a late 3-pointer.
That matchup links two coaches with similar NCAA Tournament pedigrees. Purdue’s Matt Painter won his 525th career game and 500th at Purdue when the Boilermakers beat Miami on Sunday. Texas coach Sean Miller has 508 career wins in stops at Xavier (twice), Arizona and with the Longhorns, where he’s in his first season. Miller’s Xavier team knocked Purdue out of the 2008 NCAA Tournament’s second round. Purdue defeated Miller’s Xavier team in a 2023 regular season matchup. Painter is 24-16 in the NCAA Tournament and Miller is 24-10, though two of those wins were vacated from Arizona’s 2016-17 NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
The Journal & Courier is providing live updates throughout the week in the buildup for Purdue vs. Texas.
Purdue basketball vs Texas news, live updates
Purdue 79, Texas 77, Final
Braden Smith missed a short runner from the baseline that Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in with 0.7 of a second remaining.
Purdue 70, Texas 70, 3:56 H2
The duo of Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff are helping Purdue overcome a 4-for-19 3-point performance. Tramon Mark is carrying Texas with 29 points.
Texas 59, Purdue 58 10:20 H2
Braden Smith gave Purdue a three-point lead after a jumper followed by a steal and layup. Tramon Marks, who is 9-for-11, answered with a corner 3-pointer to tie the score. An earlier two-point shot by Texas was changed to a 3-pointer, giving the Longhorns the lead.
Texas 49, Purdue 45, 15:37 H2
The Longhorns get an early 14-6 jolt in the second half. Former Boilermaker Camden Heide’s 3-pointer, his first make of the night, gives Texas a four-point lead. Purdue is 3-for-8 to start the second half.
Purdue 39, Texas 35, Half
Fletcher Loyer made two 3-pointers on Purdue’s first two possessions and near the end of the half scored seven points in the span of 58 seconds to give him a game-high 13 points. Trey Kaufman-Renn has 12 on 6 of 6 shooting.
Two of Loyer’s points came from the free throw line after a flagrant foul against Texas center Matas Vookietaitis.
Purdue 28, Texas 25, 6:45 H1
Trey Kaufman-Renn has made five straight shots and has 10 points for the Boilermakers, who have the highlight of the first half, a one-handed dunk by Gicarri Harris through traffic.
Texas 20, Purdue 18, 10:48, H1
The Longhorns made seven straight shots, including three consecutive 3-pointers to take early control of a game that didn’t have a media timeout until midway through the first half. Tramon Mark has 10 early points for Texas.
Purdue starting lineup vs Texas
Purdue will use the same starting lineup it has since the season’s third game. Braden Smith, CJ Cox, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff will start for the Boilermakers.
Texas will start Jordan Pope, Dailyn Swan, Camden Heide, Matas Vokietaitis and Tramon Mark. Senior guard Jordan Pope, a usual starter, was listed as questionable entering the game. He was not listed as a starter, but was announced during starting lineup intros in place of named replacement starter Simeon Wilcher.
When does Purdue basketball play in Sweet 16?
The Boilermakers and Longhorns will tipoff at 7:10 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 26. It will be 4:10 p.m. PT on the West Coast before the other West Regional semifinal between Arkansas and Arizona.
What channel is Purdue vs Texas game on?
The Boilermakers and Longhorns will air on CBS during the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. No TV designation has been revealed for a potential Elite Eight game.
Jim Jackson and Brian Anderson will be on the broadcast with Allie LaForce as the sideline reporter.
Stream Purdue vs Texas free with a trial from Fubo
Purdue vs Texas prediction
Texas has had a luxury of facing injury-hampered teams to get to the Sweet 16. If C.J. Cox is good to go, Purdue is fine. But even if Cox can’t, Purdue will still dance on. Purdue 84, Texas 73
Purdue vs Texas odds
Odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday afternoon.
Purdue injury updates
Starting guard CJ Cox left Purdue’s Round of 32 victory over Miami with 17:04 remaining after getting fouled on a fastbreak.
“He hyperextended his knee, so we’ll kind of see how treatment goes and everything to see what his status is,” Painter said after Sunday’s win in St. Louis.
Cox had his right knee wrapped after the game and echoed Painter’s news of a hyperextension. Cox claimed he could’ve returned in the Miami game if needed. Cox participated in practice during a 15-minute window media members were allowed to watch on Wednesday. He will start against Texas.
During an open locker room availability, Cox rode an exercise bike while conducting interviews. Cox said he did not participate in contact portions of a Tuesday practice and had been doing mostly “rehab stuff.”
Cox averages 8.5 points and shoots 38.4% from 3-point range while also being viewed as the Boilermakers’ best defender. He’s started all 37 games this season.
Purdue vs Texas basketball history
Purdue and Texas have played six times previously, with the Longhorns winning four times. Purdue won the most recent meeting 81-71 in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. This will be the fourth time the Boilers have faced Texas in the NCAA Tournament.
Purdue vs Miami recap, highlights from Round 2
Fletcher Loyer led all scorers with 24 points, making 6 of 7 field goals, including all four 3-point attempts, and going 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Before leaving with an injury, Cox scored 11 points, including three straight 3-pointers to close the first half in a 79-69 victory. Trey Kaufman-Renn added 19 points and 9 rebounds.
Purdue vs Queens recap, highlights from Round 1
Braden Smith became the NCAA’s all-time leader in assists, passing former Duke guard Bobby Hurley for the record early in the first half.
Kaufman-Renn provided 25 points and nine rebounds in a 104-71 victory, while Smith scored a game-high 26 to go with eight assists. Loyer chipped in 14 points.
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 vs Texas live updates, odds and bracket predictions
Reporting by Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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