3/27/2026 Boilermaker Water Cooler Chat: Friday Edition
Rants, ravings, and somewhat sensical opinions following the wild, wacky, and wide-wide world of Purdue sports.
I lift a lot of weights. I do -some- cardio. I walk. I jog occasionally. I work in the yard. I nearly die watching Purdue Basketball. You know, as we do here in Indiana. Right? … RIght?
The Sweet 16 Game:
#2 Purdue 79, #11 Texas 77
The trendy “upset”pick of Texas couldn’t quite pull through, despite putting a scare in the Boilermakers. A last second tip in provided me the opportunity to write this article tonight, instead of the regularly scheduled Monday article.
TKR hit the game winner, capping off a team-high 20 pts & 8 rebounds. Fletcher Loyer scored 18, drilling 4 three pointers in the process. Braden Smith scored 16 and dished out 5 assists. Oscar Cluff and CJ Cox scored 11 & 10 respectively.
This game came down to the offensive glass. While the totals of offensive rebounds were the same for the game (12 vs 12), the game winner came off of a TKR tip. With .7 seconds left, Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in a Braden Smith missed layup to end the game, and send Purdue to the Elite 8.
Break it Down:
Just win, baby. Every team that makes their way to the Final 4, survives a game like this, and I have to give it to Purdue… they toughed this one out. When Texas was hitting their circus shots, Purdue didn’t budge. When the officials refused to call a flagrant foul on one team, but rather, both teams… Purdue didn’t flinch. When hooks and holds were confused with touch fouls and no calls, Purdue handled their business.
Purdue has now played to seed. They sit as the #2 seed in the West, taking on #1 seed Arizona on Saturday. Yep, Purdue will be the underdog, but hell… they are now in position to reach their second Final 4 in the last 3 years. I will take that opportunity any chance that I can get. Photos by Bowen Arrow Photography
What Went Well:
- 5: All 5 starters for Purdue ended up in double digits. When you have that balanced scoring, Purdue will be tough to beat.
- 1> -8: Purdue won the rebounding battle against Texas, after losing the battle to Miami in St. Louis. This held the Boilermakers where they needed to be.
- 50%: From three for Fletcher Loyer, as he went 4/8 from deep. He looked nasty, hunting his shot and looking to score all game.
- 4: Turnovers against this suddenly respectful Texas defense, is an excellent total.
Opportunities for Improvement:
- 20%: From three. Ouchtown. The good news is that Purdue averages somewhere near 40%… so water should find level.
- Officiating: This game went from a nice, flowy, sundress of a basketball game in the first half… to a rusty metal codpiece in the second half. Whether or not it be a review of an elbow to CJ Cox’s head (called a double foul) to a hook and hold (called a double foul) do anything else (investigated as to whether or not it could be called a double foul), these officials copped out in the second half. Too scared to call the right game (as to affect the outcome) the ended up making this game closer than it had every right to be.
One Last thing:
Camden Heide, former Purdue Boilermaker, is a current member of the Texas Longhorns, after transferring out from the Purdue program this past offseason. As Boilermaker, I always enjoyed Heide. Tall. Athletic. Played good defense, and hit clutch shots. The perfect role player. He probably would have played a huge role in the 2025-26 Purdue Basketball team, but, alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Really loved his time in West Lafayette.
Also, I see the transfer portal players as I do my ex girlfriends. Sometimes you end on good terms. Sometimes you end on not so good terms. Either way, I don’t wish any ill will against you. I also don’t wish you luck. Go ahead and live your best life, as far away from me as possible. I am happy that Camden Heide enjoyed himself and his NIL check in Austin. I am glad that he was a starter. Averaged 5.9 points per game. Huge fan of Camden Heide, and everything he did for Purdue Sports. Much more than everything that I ever did.
Anyways, I was not a huge fan of the several hook & hold situations, flagrant fouls, elbows, and screen blow ups, employed by Heide against TKR. I will chalk it up to his intensity, to passion, and to his will to win. He was always a tough, gritty individual. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to see the patented Heide Heroics, nor the patented Heide Highlight Dunk… as he fouled out with several minutes to go. Unfortunately, for him, falling short of the Elite 8.
None the less, what is best for Camden is what is best for everyone. Glad the transfer worked out for Heide.
A Look Ahead:
Purdue has played to seed, as they will take on #1 seed Arizona in the Elite 8 on Saturday. Pressure is off at this point. Time to play loose, go ahead and make history!
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