SAN JOSE, Calif. − After the 2024 NCAA Tournament final game concluded and UConn celebrated a national championship by beating Purdue basketball, Boilermaker fans already created a destiny ending for three starters on that team.
In 2026, March Madness ends in Indianapolis, and what a fitting end it would be for Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith, three players from Indiana going to school 70 miles from Lucas Oil Stadium.
In the way is a juggernaut Arizona team that has made a mockery of most teams in its path this season, trying to reach its first Final Four since 2001.
It’s a classic battle of what’s left of the old school development of players with a transfer sprinkled into the rotation versus a team of high-profile freshmen and three senior transfers. Both have been effective this season to get Purdue and Arizona, respectively, to the Elite Eight.
Purdue basketball vs Arizona news, live updates
Purdue 23, Arizona 21, 7:48 H1
Arizona used a 9-2 run with its inside force to go ahead 19-13. Purdue storms back while the Wildcats missed four straight shots and had two turnovers in a seven possession stretch. Two Gicarri Harris 3-pointers put Purdue back in front.
Purdue 10, Arizona 9, 15:25 H1
Braden Smith comes out shot hunting. The Purdue point guard has 8 points on 3-for-4 shooting. After going 0-for-7 from 3-point range the previous two games, Smith is 2-for-2 to start the Elite 8.
Purdue starters are Braden Smith, CJ Cox, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff. Arizona starters will be Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries, Ivan Kharchenkov, Koa Peat and Motiejus Krivas.
When does Purdue basketball play in Elite Eight?
Purdue plays Arizona at 8:49 p.m. EST.
What channel is Purdue vs Arizona game on?
The game will be broadcast on TBS and TruTV. Brian Anderson will call the play by play and Jim Jackson is the color analyst. Allie LaForce is the sideline reporter.
Stream Purdue vs Arizona with free trial from Fubo
Purdue vs Arizona prediction
Purdue’s record in track meets this season isn’t great. Purdue can’t afford any defensive lapse or Arizona might make the Boilermakers have to score 100 to win. If you’re rooting for Purdue, you hope it got its bad shooting night out of the way against Texas. Even if Purdue shoots well, it might not matter. Arizona might be the most complete team in the NCAA Tournament. Arizona 91, Purdue 88
Purdue vs Arizona odds
Odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday afternoon.
Purdue injury updates
Purdue guard CJ Cox was questionable for Thursday’s Sweet 16 against Texas with a hyperextended right knee. He started and played 31 minutes. Cox scored 10 points, including two free throws with 19.4 seconds left to put the Boilermakers up by three.
Purdue vs Arizona basketball history
Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith combined for 53 points and nine 3-pointers when Purdue defeated No. 1-ranked Arizona in Indianapolis on Dec. 16, 2023. That’s the most recent meeting in a series played 13 times. It also made Matt Painter 3-0 as Boilermaker coach against the Wildcats.
Purdue leads the all-time series 8-5, with a 5-3 advantage on neutral courts, including all three victories under Painter. Purdue won the only NCAA Tournament matchup 72-63 in the 2007 first round.
Purdue vs Texas recap, highlights from Sweet 16
It was 40 minutes condensed into 11 seconds, concluding with Trey Kaufman-Renn’s putback of a Braden Smith miss with seven-tenths of a second remaining that gave the Boilermakers a 79-77 victory at SAP Center. Kaufman-Renn finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Fletcher Loyer scored 18 points, going 4 of 8 from 3-point range. The rest of Purdue was 0-for-12 from beyond the arc. Braden Smith had 16 points and 5 assists, while Oscar Cluff had 11 points and 6 rebounds and CJ Cox rounded out the starters’ scoring with 10 points.
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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.
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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 Arizona Elite 8 live updates, odds and bracket predictions
Reporting by Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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