3/16/2026 Boilermaker Water Cooler Chat: Revenge Edition
Rants, ravings, and somewhat sensical opinions following the wild, wacky, and wide-wide world of Purdue sports.
I am sitting here, on a Sunday evening, sipping a neat, heavy beverage. A celebratory cocktail, as the Purdue Boilermakers have won 4 games in as many days, to take home their third Big Ten Tournament Title. They beat Michigan, the anointed NCAA super-team. The best team that money can buy. The apple of every talking-head’s eye.
I am not a vengeful person. The good Lord tells me to not hold a grudge, not to be spiteful. The good news, is that, so long as you are ethical, according to the sports gods revenge is not only allowable, but encouraged in college basketball. Perfect.
If I was to sit here and say the name Eugène Sue, you would be lost. I don’t blame you, I would be too (had to google him). He’s an author, by the way. He wrote the “Memoirs of Matilda” which is, apparently, a book. In that book, a very famous quote that you have heard countless times is made famous. In 1846, the soon to be discovered simplified quote was…
“Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
The Purdue Boilermakers went on a revenge tour the last week. Winning 4 games. 4 days. Three of those games were against teams that had beaten Purdue within the last few weeks, but all 4 against squads that made Purdue look foolish at some point in 2026. Northwestern. Nebraska. UCLA. Michigan.
Revenge.
The Games:
Purdue 81, Northwestern 16
The final score does not indicate how much of an ass kicking this game really was. Purdue controlled the game from pillar to post, ending Nick Martinelli’s career in the process.
Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff matched with 19 pts. Cluff had 10 rebounds, TKR with 6. Fletcher Loyer added 14. Braden Poured in 16 assists.
Purdue 74, Nebraska 58
The final score does not indicate how much of an ass kicking this game really was. Purdue controlled the game from pillar to post, ruining Nebraska’s cute little run.
Fletcher Loyer led the way with 19 points, hitting 4 threes in the process. CJ Cox, Oscar Cluff, and TKR all scored in double figures. Braden Smith poured in 10 assists.
Purdue 73, UCLA 66
The final score does not indicate how much of an ass kicking this game really was. Purdue controlled the game from pillar to post, making Mick Cronin get all grumpy-pants in the process.
Oscar Cluff went for 17 points and 14 rebounds. TKR went for 12 & 10. Fletcher Loyer went for 14, hitting 4 threes in the process. Braden Smith poured in 9 assists.
Purdue 80, Michigan 72
The final score does not indicate how much of an ass kicking this game really was. Purdue controlled the game from pillar to post, as the Boilers dominated the vaunted Wolverine front line.
Oscar Cluff scored 21. TKR scored 20. Braden Smith had a double-double, with 14 points and 11 assists.
Photos by Kaleb Hosier
Break It Down:
That is what I’m talking about. Purdue currently sits at 27-8, with a 2 seed. That is a great season, no matter how you slice it.
Purdue has had some struggles, here and there this season. While the social media crybabies were having a collective panic attack, being fake tough-guys on Facebook, those who actually know basketball knew this team was fine. Yes, they struggled on defense, occasionally on offense, but Purdue saw the most oddity-ridden losses this season. A bad break here. A team shooting 30% better than average there. A cold spell. A rando going thermo-nuclear. Purdue has experienced it.
Now Purdue has successfully completed their revenge tour. Killers hunt. Killers inflict their will on both offense and defense. Killers kill.
This is the team that we knew we had all along. They picked a hell of a time to show their face.
From ending a Big Ten Legend’s career, to handing the supposed “historically best team in the Big Ten” a submissive loss, this is alpha stuff. As Yaxel would say, belt to ass. Right?
What Went Well:
- Defense: … moved back in. Purdue showed a nasty grit this week on defense, flummoxing all 4 opponents this week. 66 ppg average against Purdue this week over the 4 games is an impressive number.
- 2: Assists away from the all-time NCAA assist record for Braden Smith. This week Smith averaged 11.5 assists per game. Look for Braden Smith to achieve immortality in the first half in the NCAA tournament.
- Spin cycle: Purdue hunted mismatches against Michigan, particularly by isolating Mara. Both Cluff and TKR had the supposed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in a spin cycle. Even when the switch happened, Braden would take him to the hole or hit him with a mid range jumper. This is the first time, all season, that Mara was the weak point on defense for the Wolverines. Credit to Painter for drawing up the action, and the boys for taking care of business.
Big Man on Campus:
Oscar Cluff was a man amongst boys this week. I could rattle off stats and all that mumbo jumbo, Cluff played like a grown man. Rebounds. Offensive or defensive. Blocking shots. Trying to rip the rim off the backboard. Everything Purdue recruited this young man for, came to fruition this weekend.
A Look Ahead:
This week, Purdue started as the 3rd rated 3 seed, effectively the 11th rated team in the nation. Following the performance in the Big Ten Tournament, Purdue climbed to a 2 seed, effectively the 8th rated team in the nation. That is what a bit of hustle, a stroke of luck, and nasty defensive energy will get you.
The Boilermakers will take their talents to St. Louis where they will play 15 seed, Queens. Queens has never been in the NCAA tournament before, so, that might mean, something? Who knows. After that, Purdue will play the winner of 7 seed Miami, and 10 seed Mizzou. I will be there, so feel free to buy me a Budweiser or an Imo’s Pizza. Looking forward to have a few more moments of covering this team!
Overall, the draw is very favorable for the Boilermakers. There could be a deep run for Purdue, but they have to take care of business. Three 2 game tournaments is what separates Purdue from that elusive NCAA National Championship. 6 to go!
See you in St. Louis!
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