Purdue, a #2 seed with a senior-laden roster and All-American Braden Smith chasing NCAA history, opens its March Madness run against Queens, a first-time tournament participant whose high-scoring offense could pose a threat. The contrast between Purdue’s veteran poise and Queens’ fearless debut sets the stage for a compelling West Region first-rounder.
The NCAA Tournament’s first round in St. Louis features a stark dichotomy: a Purdue program steeped in recent tournament success and a Queens University squad making its historic debut. For the Boilermakers, this is another step in a quest for redemption after last year’s national runner-up finish; for the Royals, it’s a chance to announce themselves on the biggest stage.
Purdue (27-8) enters the NCAA Tournament as a #2 seed in the West Region, a fact confirmed by Field Level Media. This marks the ninth consecutive year the Boilermakers are a top-four seed, underscoring the program’s sustained excellence under coach Matt Painter. Painter, two wins shy of 500 at Purdue, has built a legacy defined by March consistency: 24-16 in the NCAA Tournament, including an Elite Eight in 2019 and the 2024 national championship game.
The Boilermakers’ offense is the most efficient in the nation, powered by a trio of fifth-year seniors: Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Collectively, they’ve amassed 115 wins, and Smith’s next assist will tie Bobby Hurley for the NCAA’s all-time lead (1,076). Smith is the only player in history with at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists and 500 rebounds, a detail confirmed by Field Level Media. His ability to facilitate and score makes Purdue’s offense nearly unstoppable when he’s at his best.
Purdue’s recent surge includes a Big Ten tournament championship, where Smith earned MVP honors and the Boilermakers beat Michigan to erase doubts from a late-season slide that saw four losses in the final six regular-season games. “It’s a great sign,” Painter said. “There’s a lot of teams — and we’ve been one of those teams before — that have just played great and then all of a sudden get into tourney time and not play as well. It’s a little bit of a mix, like you’ve got to keep working towards getting better.” That mindset will be crucial against a Queens team that plays with fearless energy.
Queens (21-13) earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth by winning the Atlantic Sun tournament in overtime, as reported by Field Level Media. The Royals’ high-scoring offense averages 84.9 points per game and makes over 10 three-pointers per game, but their defense allows more than 82 points. This offensive firepower, led by several double-figure scorers, could keep them competitive if they get hot from deep.
Head coach Grant Leonard, a Milwaukee native who worked his way up from high school coaching, has embraced the underdog role with trademark flair. His loud sweaters have become a tournament talking point, from a “Believe” shirt inspired by Ted Lasso to a planned St. Patrick’s Day theme. “What’s there to be afraid of?” Leonard asked. That confidence trickles down to his players, six of whom average double figures, per Field Level Media.
Queens’ key contributors include:
- Nasir Mann: 13.4 points per game
- Chris Ashby: erupted for 10 three-pointers in the Atlantic Sun championship and 11 in a January game against Bellarmine
The matchup to watch: Queens’ three-point barrage versus Purdue’s disciplined, veteran defense. The Boilermakers’ experience in tight tournament games should help them adjust, but a cold shooting night from Purdue and a hot one from Queens could fuel an upset. Still, Purdue’s overall talent and Smith’s historic quest give them a significant edge. Expect a high-scoring affair where every three-pointer and turnover will loom large.
For the Boilermakers, this game is about building momentum toward a deeper run. For Queens, it’s about seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The clash of March mode versus debutante excitement will be on full display in St. Louis.
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