Arizona and Purdue are set to compete in the Elite Eight, with a Final Four appearance at stake.
Purdue’s coach Matt Painter said, “We know we’re playing a very talented, athletic, skilled, physical team in Arizona. One of the best teams in the country, if not the best team in the country.”
Experience on the Court
Arizona has three freshman starters. Purdue has three starters who have already played in a national championship game.
Purdue guard Braden Smith said, “I think having that experience what it takes to be there before, I think it helps… having a core group of guys that have done it, we’re able to obviously help these guys out. But at the same time they’re also very skilled basketball players and also understand what it takes to win high-level games to get to that point.”
Purdue leaned into that experience against 11-seed Texas, as senior Trey Kaufman-Renn put himself in position to tip in Smith’s miss in the final second to give the Boilermakers their Sweet 16 win.
Arizona’s Path to the Elite Eight
Arizona’s run to the Elite Eight has been less dramatic than Purdue’s. The Wildcats blitzed Arkansas, 109-88, in the Sweet 16 as freshman duo Brayden Burries (23 points) and Koa Peat (21 points) did the heavy lifting.
Predictions for the Game
- Nathan Baird, IndyStar: Arizona 81, Purdue 77
- Sam King, Journal & Courier: Arizona 91, Purdue 88
“If Purdue can keep this game 60, 65, they’ve got a good chance of winning. If this game gets to 70, 80, Arizona is going to Indy. Because Braden Smith is such a great leader, this game is dangerous for Arizona.”
Keys to Victory
To become the third team to join that club, Purdue must rebound and defend at a higher level than it did Thursday night.
Purdue’s record in track meets this season isn’t great. If you’re rooting for Purdue, you hope it got its bad shooting night out of the way against Texas.
Purdue can’t afford any defensive lapses or Arizona might make the Boilermakers have to score 100 to win. Even if Purdue shoots well, it might not matter.
Arizona might be the most complete team in the NCAA Tournament.
Arizona is a monster, but the last time the Boilermakers took the floor against one of those teams — Michigan, in the Big Ten Tournament championship — they won. Purdue’s season always pointed toward some version of this game. Winning may require the best collective performance this group has put together.
Today’s winner is headed to Indianapolis for the Final Four.