March Madness 2025: No. 5 Purdue makes easy work of No. 12 McNeese to advance to Sweet 16
Purdue is heading to the Sweet 16 again.
The No. 4 Boilermakers jumped out to a big lead over No. 12 McNeese in the first half on the way to a 76-62 win. It wasn't nearly as pretty in the second half, but Purdue built itself so much of a cushion in the first 20 minutes that its struggles in the final 20 minutes didn't matter.
Purdue led 38-20 at the break as McNeese struggled on both ends of the floor. The Cowboys shot just 31% from the field, got out-rebounded by 10 and Purdue players consistently got great looks behind the arc and by the basket. For a brief moment, it looked like the Cowboys were going to score fewer than 20 points in the half a game after Clemson had just 13 against McNeese on Thursday.
The second half wasn't much better, even if Purdue did all it could to give McNeese a chance to get back into the game. The Boilermakers went over six minutes without a field goal until a layup by Trey Kaufman-Renn with 9:49 to go. But McNeese had cut just three points from Purdue's lead during that span thanks to a crucial set of technical fouls.
With the Cowboys trailing 48-28, Christian Shumate got called for a foul in the paint on Kaufman-Renn. That led to McNeese coach Will Wade getting a technical ahead of the TV timeout and Shumate got a technical himself as he walked to the bench.
Purdue made five of the ensuing six free throws to push the lead to 25 and effectively end the game. Kaufman-Renn finished with a game-high 22 points and 15 rebounds.
McNeese's loss means No. 11 Drake is the only double-digit seed remaining in the men's NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs play No. 3 Texas Tech later Saturday for the chance to go to the Sweet 16. After all 16 top-four seeds won their first-round games for the first time since 2017, there's a very strong chance there will be no double-digit seeds advancing past the first weekend of the 2025 tournament.
The game is the last one for Wade as McNeese's coach. The ex-LSU coach is set to be announced as the new NC State coach in the coming days after the school fired Kevin Keatts at the end of the season. The Wolfpack made a coaching change just a year after a surprise run to the Final Four.
Wade was transparent about his conversations with NC State before the NCAA tournament and they clearly were no distraction against Clemson. But the Cowboys simply didn't have the defensive intensity on Saturday that they did in the first round.
Purdue, meanwhile, is back in the Sweet 16 for the second straight season after becoming just the second No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in 2023. The Boilermakers bounced back to make it to the national title game in 2024, and they are now two wins away from another Final Four appearance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys Insider Says Miles Sanders Bidding For Starting Role at OTAs
Cowboys Insider Says Miles Sanders Bidding For Starting Role at OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys' running back battle is going to be one of the most-watched situations in Oxnard when training camp begins. Advertisement But we might already have a clubhouse leader. And yes, we know it's OTAs, and there are still plenty of padded practices to take place, but Miles Sanders, by all reports, is impressing. As part of a running back room that includes Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue (who was injured in practice on Tuesday), and Deuce Vaughn, it has been Sanders who has impressed. "I don't know why anybody would be surprised with Miles' ability,' head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. 'I mean having been in the division and played against Miles when he was in Philadelphia you talk about a guy that's a home run threat. A guy that's got incredible ability to hurt you running, catching the ball out of the back field, all that stuff very smart, very bright.' Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams At AT&T StadiumTony Fisher So Sanders is making Schottenheimer take notice, and as it turns out, the Cowboys head coach isn't the only one speaking glowingly of Miles' ability on the practice field. Advertisement Our own Mike Fisher, who got a front row seat to OTAs on Tuesday, and like Schotty, was left impressed by the veteran running back ... again. "Miles Sanders did it again today," Fish said on The Fish Report. "He's got burst, all the things that I say about him when he was with the Eagles, you're watching Miles Sanders, and you're on the edge of your seat holding your breath every time he touches the ball. He does that at practice. He did it last week, and he did it again today. If they [Cowboys] had to make cuts to 53 today, they're not cutting Sanders. No way.' That is quite the endorsement from both Schotty and Fish. Yes, we know it's the Underwear Olympics, and offensive players get a little more leeway to play with than defenders, but it does appear that if a game were played today, Sanders might just start. Advertisement At a position that many think could go down to the wire when it comes to the final make-up of it, Miles is taking his chance. And everyone is noticing. Related: Cowboys Legend Reveals 'Totally Different Vibe' Under Schottenheimer Related: Cowboys' Schottenheimer Won't Shy Away From Super Bowl Prediction This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys Ex Amari Cooper Might Be 'Done' Barring Major Training Camp Change
Cowboys Ex Amari Cooper Might Be 'Done' Barring Major Training Camp Change originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - It's a weird thing to note about a guy who has been to the Pro Bowl five times, but the track record says it's true: The acquisitions of Amari Cooper, every time, never quite work out very well. Advertisement The Amari move of 2019? Nope, it didn't work out the way the Dallas Cowboys envisioned. Close, but no cigar. His time in Cleveland, where Dallas trade-dumped him? Nope, because the Browns eventually turned around and did the same with him in moving him to Buffalo. And that 2024 midseason Amari trade? That didn't work out the way the Bills has envisioned it, either, with the big-name never really taking off in Joe Brady's offense. Granted, Cooper came in midseason and then had an injury, which isn't ideal when you are coming to a new team, as Amari was playing catch-up the entire time. So he's a free agent. And has been for months. Advertisement Teams that might've had an interest - including the teams that know him best - have gone in the other direction. The Cowboys had a need at wideout and so they traded for George Pickens. The Bills had a need at wideout and so they signed Joshua Palmer. ... and then they signed Elijah Moore, who used to play third fiddle to Amari in Cleveland. USA Today has been among the outlets not understanding what's happening here, recently writing, "He offers a veteran presence and consistency for a team searching for a proven player to add to their receiving room." That's what some in the media and some NFL fans think. Advertisement But as Amari turns 31 this month, the NFL is telling you - and him - their truth. Consider this telling review from one of his own former coaches from earlier this offseason. "Amari is done. That's not me talking," NFL insider Matthew Berry of NBC Sports posted on X. "That's from an offensive coach of a former team of his I spoke to at the combine." Is that true? Dallas is aware of what we at the time called "shrinkage,'' when Amari simply didn't come up big enough in big moments. Buffalo had to think about the production that Amari gave them last year as Cooper totaled just 297 yards and two touchdowns from 20 receptions in eight regular-season games and had six games for 41 yards in three playoff outings. ... in a postseason during which he was essentially benched. Advertisement When we add this fact, that in six of his Bills games, while playing with MVP QB Josh Allen, he had 12 or fewer yards? We're not saying Amari Cooper is done. But pending some team maybe calling him as a training camp move due to roster injury? The NFL is sort of saying Amari Cooper is done. Related: Josh Allen Making An Impact at Bills OTAs Despite Absence Related: Cowboys' Pickens Makes Official Jersey Number Change This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys Offer One-Word George Pickens Scouting Report From OTAs
Cowboys Offer One-Word George Pickens Scouting Report From OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. New players always want to make a good first impression, and for Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens, he was coming to The Star with a fiery reputation. Advertisement But as he chases a new contract at season's end, one thing has been crystal clear since he entered the building - he's here to work. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has praised George's "intentionality" in the classroom, picking up the scheme and system quickly, and then his play on the practice field with a sublime toe-tap touchdown grab at OTAs all point to a player who is dialed in and loving his new surroundings. "Outstanding," Cowboys' COO Jones said of Pickens. "He's just been outstanding, it's great to see him, his interactions with CeeDee in the receiving room, and with Dak and the quarterbacks, and in general. He's thrilled to be here, and we're thrilled to have him here." George Pickens At AttBy Tony Fisher With CeeDee Lamb finally getting his running mate, Dak Prescott now has what can easily be described as a formidable tandem to work with. Advertisement But before George can be a weapon for Dak, he must dot his I's and cross his T's which is perhaps why it has been so refreshing to see the receiver at OTAs, and not just going through the motions, but making plays and being intentional with how he is approaching his chance with the Cowboys. With Lamb and Pickens as a one-two punch, the Cowboys offense has the chance to do some damage this season, in what is a far cry from the unit Dak had to work with last season. Yes, the talent is there from Pickens, but it is his work ethic and willingness to embrace the Schottenheimer way that have stood out. It is early, but Pickens, despite all the narratives surrounding him, hasn't put a foot wrong, so it's no wonder Stephen is rather happy with his latest acquisition. Advertisement Related: Cowboys Schotty Prompts Green Dot Debate with LB Praise Related: Schottenheimer Reaches Out to Cowboys Legends To 'Celebrate Tradition' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
