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PROVIDENCE - The fun starts early here at the Amica Mutual Pavilion as No. 4 Purdue takes on No. 12 McNeese State with a berth to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on the line.
Purdue beat up on High Point in the first round on Wednesday, winning 75-64. McNeese State went up huge on Clemson, then held on late to grab the 69-67 victory.
What can we expect in this one? Both coaches preached defense in Friday's press conferences, so it could be an old-fashioned slugfest.
While the Providence Journal doesn't have a horse in the race, it's hard not to take the underdog. They've got the aura - that's Amir "Aura" Khan, McNeese State's viral team manager - and anyone in the ground not wearing gold and black will certainly be rooting for McNeese State. The tournament is more fun when there's total chaos, so we're picking the Cowboys in the upset.
According to Sportsbook Rhode Island, Purdue is a 6.5-point favorite, with the over-under at 142.5 - a dip of two points since 11 a.m.
No changes with either team's starting lineup from Thursday.
Purdue rolling out with: C.J. Cox, G, Fr.; Fletcher Loyer, G, Jr.; Braden Smith, G, Jr.; Caleb Furst, F, Sr.; Trey Kaufman-Renn, F, Jr.
McNeese State throwing out a smaller lineup - Quadir Copeland, G, Jr.; Javhon Garcia, G, Sr.; D.J. Richards, G, Jr.; Joe Charles, F, Sr.; Christian Shumate, F, Sr.
If the Boilermakers' plans were to make every shot they take, it's working brilliantly through the first 4:55. Purdue leads 14-6 after going 6 of 8 from the field. McNeese is trying to make things happen inside, but the Cowboys are really struggling with the Boilermakers' size.
Against Clemson, McNeese State found a way to battle. We'll see if they can make a run here and get back in it and prevents Purdue from running away with it.
The McNeese State's manager went mega-viral in late February and endorsement deals starting coming in prior to the NCAA Tournament - TickPicks, Buffalo Wild Winds and Insomnia.
After the Cowboys win over Clemson, Topps announced it reached a deal with Khan to make trading cards and had an ad on his social media pages for TurboTax.
Saturday the manager rolled out with what may be his biggest, wearing an all-yellow Under Armour jumpsuit with his nickname, "Aura," printed on the back. CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported Khan has 12 deals in all, with Under Armor inking the team manager on Friday night.
Talk about March Madness.
On Thursday, McNeese State did a tremendous job handling a significantly larger Clemson team.
Purdue clearly watched tape and figured out how it avoid the same fate, leading 27-11 with 9:35 left in the first half.
The Boilermakers are showing tremendous patience on offense and while they're working their bigs - notably Trey Kaufman-Renn - they're not just pounding it to the block and turning this game into the 1980s NBA. Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith have looked comfortable running a two-man game and Purdue's ball movement off of it has been impressive. The Boilermakers are 11of 15 from the floor and have eight assists.
Defensively, Purdue is using its size to its advantage. McNeese State is struggling to get inside and can't get anything in the mid-range to drop. The Cowboys have hit 4 of 14 from the field - 2 of 7 on 3-pointers - and need to find a way to counteract the size.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Live updates from 2025 March Madness, Purdue vs. McNeese State
Continue reading...
Purdue beat up on High Point in the first round on Wednesday, winning 75-64. McNeese State went up huge on Clemson, then held on late to grab the 69-67 victory.
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What can we expect in this one? Both coaches preached defense in Friday's press conferences, so it could be an old-fashioned slugfest.
Prediction for the Purdue-McNeese game
While the Providence Journal doesn't have a horse in the race, it's hard not to take the underdog. They've got the aura - that's Amir "Aura" Khan, McNeese State's viral team manager - and anyone in the ground not wearing gold and black will certainly be rooting for McNeese State. The tournament is more fun when there's total chaos, so we're picking the Cowboys in the upset.
What's the line on Purdue-McNeese State basketball?
According to Sportsbook Rhode Island, Purdue is a 6.5-point favorite, with the over-under at 142.5 - a dip of two points since 11 a.m.
Who are the starters for Purdue and McNeese State
No changes with either team's starting lineup from Thursday.
Purdue rolling out with: C.J. Cox, G, Fr.; Fletcher Loyer, G, Jr.; Braden Smith, G, Jr.; Caleb Furst, F, Sr.; Trey Kaufman-Renn, F, Jr.
McNeese State throwing out a smaller lineup - Quadir Copeland, G, Jr.; Javhon Garcia, G, Sr.; D.J. Richards, G, Jr.; Joe Charles, F, Sr.; Christian Shumate, F, Sr.
Purdue starts hot vs. McNeese
If the Boilermakers' plans were to make every shot they take, it's working brilliantly through the first 4:55. Purdue leads 14-6 after going 6 of 8 from the field. McNeese is trying to make things happen inside, but the Cowboys are really struggling with the Boilermakers' size.
Against Clemson, McNeese State found a way to battle. We'll see if they can make a run here and get back in it and prevents Purdue from running away with it.
You must be registered for see images attach
What is Amir Khan wearing?
The McNeese State's manager went mega-viral in late February and endorsement deals starting coming in prior to the NCAA Tournament - TickPicks, Buffalo Wild Winds and Insomnia.
After the Cowboys win over Clemson, Topps announced it reached a deal with Khan to make trading cards and had an ad on his social media pages for TurboTax.
Saturday the manager rolled out with what may be his biggest, wearing an all-yellow Under Armour jumpsuit with his nickname, "Aura," printed on the back. CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported Khan has 12 deals in all, with Under Armor inking the team manager on Friday night.
Talk about March Madness.
You must be registered for see images attach
Bigger is better for Purdue
On Thursday, McNeese State did a tremendous job handling a significantly larger Clemson team.
Purdue clearly watched tape and figured out how it avoid the same fate, leading 27-11 with 9:35 left in the first half.
The Boilermakers are showing tremendous patience on offense and while they're working their bigs - notably Trey Kaufman-Renn - they're not just pounding it to the block and turning this game into the 1980s NBA. Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith have looked comfortable running a two-man game and Purdue's ball movement off of it has been impressive. The Boilermakers are 11of 15 from the floor and have eight assists.
Defensively, Purdue is using its size to its advantage. McNeese State is struggling to get inside and can't get anything in the mid-range to drop. The Cowboys have hit 4 of 14 from the field - 2 of 7 on 3-pointers - and need to find a way to counteract the size.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Live updates from 2025 March Madness, Purdue vs. McNeese State
Continue reading...
