Purdue got the first-round game it wanted. The Boilermakers rolled Queens 104-71, Braden Smith broke the NCAA Division I career assists record, and Matt Painter's team looked every bit like a group capable of getting back to the second weekend.
That is the good news for Purdue. The bad news is what came next. Instead of an underdog just happy to be there, the Boilermakers drew a Miami team that looks a lot more dangerous than a typical No. 7 seed. The Hurricanes are 26-8 on the season and coming off an 80-66 win over Missouri that looked a lot more convincing than the score even suggests.
PUT THEM OUT OF THEIR MISSOURI 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JtYK4k9HbL
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) March 21, 2026
Miami is not built like a fragile underdog
Miami is not some bracket filler that needs to make 15 threes and pray. The Hurricanes average 81.9 points per game, allow 71.0 points, shoot 50% from the field and grab 37.6 rebounds a night. They also have real top-end players in Malik Reneau, Tre Donaldson and Ernest Udeh Jr.
Purdue is better on paper, and that is obvious. The Boilermakers average 82.3 points, give up 70.2 points, and have Smith running the show.
But Miami is still exactly the kind of opponent a No. 2 seed would rather avoid in the Round of 32.
The Missouri game showed why Miami is dangerous
Miami beat Missouri 80-66 while outrebounding the Tigers 46-30 and turning 16 offensive boards into 19 second-chance points. Missouri was supposed to have the crowd edge in St. Louis and the emotional boost of a near-home game.
And none of it mattered once Miami settled in and started winning the physical parts of the game. The Hurricanes took over with an 11-0 run after trailing 54-52 with under eight minutes left, and Missouri never recovered.
Purdue is still a force
The Boilermakers still have the better offense. Smith is averaging 14.3 points and 9.0 assists. Fletcher Loyer is shooting 42.3% from 3-point range.
Purdue also averages only 8.9 turnovers per game.
Why Purdue has reason to worry
Reneau and Donaldson are former Big Ten players who know Purdue's style and have seen the Boilermakers before.
Miami has enough front court size and rebounding to keep Purdue from owning the possession game.
What it all comes down to
Purdue should win this game, but Miami has become the kind of team that can make some noise in the tournament.
If the Boilermakers sleepwalk into this one, that would be a mistake and could open the door for Miami.