Miami can be a problem for Purdue because of two veteran transfers who have already shown they can play well against the Boilermakers. Malik Reneau leads Miami at 19.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while Tre Donaldson puts up 16.5 points and 5.8 assists per game.
Reneau played for Indiana last year and Donaldson was at Michigan prior to Miami.
Malik Reneau has already hurt Purdue before
In his two most recent games against Purdue, Reneau put up 40 points on 17-for-24 shooting.
In Indiana's two 2025 games against Purdue, Reneau scored 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting in a 81-76 loss, then came back with 15 points on 7-for-7 shooting, with six rebounds and four assists, in Indiana's 73-58 win.
Tre Donaldson has been comfortable against Purdue
In Michigan's 75-73 win over Purdue back in 2025, he had 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting, made 2 of 3 from deep and added three rebounds and one assist. In Michigan's 86-68 Big Ten tournament win against Purdue, he scored 13 points, hit 3 of 8 from 3-point range, grabbed four rebounds and handed out five assists.
Across those two games, Donaldson totaled 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists while shooting 9-for-19 from the floor and 5-for-11 from 3.
While it is not as impressive as Reneau, Donaldson is averaging 18.1 points over Miami's last 10 games and both players have certainly improved from last year. So, in theory, they should be more of a threat to Purdue.
No. 7 Miami faces No. 2 Purdue in Round of 32
In those four matchups last year against Purdue, Reneau and Donaldson combined for 65 points on 26-for-43 shooting, with 18 rebounds and 10 assists. In Miami's first-round win over Missouri, Reneau had 24 points and Donaldson added 17. Both guys are playing really good basketball right now and have some momentum after the Round of 64 win.
If the Boilermakers are going to get pushed to the brink Sunday, it will be because Reneau and Donaldson get things going and offer a chance for the supporting cast to step up and push the Canes over the top.