logo
March Madness 2025: No. 5 Purdue makes easy work of No. 12 McNeese in the first half to advance to Sweet 16

March Madness 2025: No. 5 Purdue makes easy work of No. 12 McNeese in the first half to advance to Sweet 16

Yahoo22-03-2025

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 as 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 are now two wins away from another Final Four appearance.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cowboys' Micah Parsons on latest contract talk, if he will attend training camp without new deal
Cowboys' Micah Parsons on latest contract talk, if he will attend training camp without new deal

New York Times

time17 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Cowboys' Micah Parsons on latest contract talk, if he will attend training camp without new deal

FRISCO, Texas — After not participating in the three weeks of organized team activities, Dallas Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons was in attendance for the first day of minicamp on Tuesday. However, Parsons did not take part in drills. He said he was dealing with back tightness from recent training with cornerback Trevon Diggs. At one point, Parsons spent roughly 30 minutes talking with Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones. According to the four-time Pro Bowler, his contract situation was never discussed. Micah Parsons was at today's minicamp practice but he did not participate. He spent about 30 minutes talking with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 10, 2025 The conversation was more about Parsons' offseason, his training, travel and Jones' appreciation for Parsons showing leadership by being at The Star on Tuesday. 'I'm pretty hopeful,' Parsons said of getting a new contract before training camp starts in late July. 'I understand that it's up to (Jones). He gives the green light on everything. Hopefully something is done by next month.' Advertisement For that to happen, Jones and Parsons' agent, David Mulugheta, have to communicate. That has not yet happened. Parsons believes Jones is the one who needs to make that call. 'That's what it kind of comes down to,' Parsons said. 'He gives the green light. He's the owner. He's pretty much what it takes to get anything done anywhere around here. It's up to him. 'But I'm going to still keep playing football. I'm going to keep showing up and preparing like any other year.' Why can't the call come from Parsons? 'Nah,' he responded. 'Next question.' Micah Parsons — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 10, 2025 Parsons is in the final year of his rookie contract. His next deal is expected to make him the NFL's highest-paid defensive end. Cleveland's Myles Garrett currently holds that title after signing a four-year, $160 million extension in March. Other top pass rushers seeking new deals, like Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt and Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson, did not attend their minicamps on Tuesday. 'Some people like to take their time more than others,' Parsons said. 'You can't rush the process. (Jones) wants the deal to go as cleanly as possible. I want the deal to go as cleanly as possible. It's just about getting it done as cleanly and quickly as possible.' Even if a contract isn't finalized by the time the Cowboys depart for training camp in California, Parsons said he will be in attendance. Recently, Cowboys star players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and former right guard Zack Martin didn't attend the start of training camp while trying to get new contracts. 'I got my house,' Parsons said. 'It's already set and done so I'll be in Oxnard. Me, my kids, my family, we'll be there.' On the practice field? 'Yeah, I'll be out there,' he said. Practicing? 'We'll see,' Parsons responded. 'Time will tell.' Advertisement Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has praised Parsons for how he has handled his contract situation. A mostly new coaching staff in Dallas puts even more pressure on the Cowboys to get something done so their best defensive player is practicing and can hit the ground running when the season starts. 'I think it's important (to be here),' said Parsons, who was wearing a play-call wrist band. 'Just building the knowledge of the defense, understanding what (new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus) and them are trying to do. Very dynamic scheme. I'm pretty excited about it, just going through a couple of installs and a couple of plays with the guys.' The relationship between Parsons and Schottenheimer was recently on display, via a popular social media trend, calling the head coach to wish him 'goodnight.' We're winning something with Brian Schottenheimer — MartinTalkCowboys (@DAK_4_MVP) June 8, 2025 'I was really kinda pissed off at my kids to be honest with you,' Schottenheimer said. 'I called my son, Sutton, and said, 'Bud, you got to look out for Dad. I don't know these things.' I just thought he missed me. I literally was like, 'That's cool man. The guy reached out to check in and see what's going on.' Then I saw it and I was like, 'Damn, I fell for it.' So I got on my kids, my daughter, I was like, 'I don't do much of that social media stuff.' But he got me pretty good.' Why didn't Parsons try the same prank on Jones? 'Truth be told, I might have called him,' Parsons joked. 'He didn't answer.' (Photo of Micah Parsons: Perry Knotts / Getty Images)

Micah Parsons will attend Cowboys training camp with or without a contract extension: 'I'll be out there'
Micah Parsons will attend Cowboys training camp with or without a contract extension: 'I'll be out there'

Yahoo

time23 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Micah Parsons will attend Cowboys training camp with or without a contract extension: 'I'll be out there'

Micah Parsons confirmed that he would attend the Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, California in August, even if he and the team do not reach a new contractual agreement. The statement comes as the pass rusher attempts to negotiate a new deal in Dallas. On Tuesday, Parsons was present at the Cowboys mandatory minicamp and told media members, 'I'll be out there.' Advertisement Parsons did not clarify if he would be participating in the Oxnard camps despite guaranteeing his presence. He also did not participate in drills on Tuesday despite addressing the press. According to The Athletic's Jon Machota, Parsons mentioned a lengthy meeting with team owner Jerry Jones in which his contract was not discussed. The Cowboys' minicamp runs through Thursday, meaning Parsons may get an answer about his contract over the next 48 hours. Before Tuesday, Parsons made a social media statement that had fans wondering if he was foreshadowing a training camp holdout. 'Even though the contract is not done, I have teammates and a playbook!' Parsons posted on X. 'I'm preparing as if I will be on the field the first week of camp! But it's in the owner's hands. I'm ready to win a Super Bowl." Advertisement Parsons is currently under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract that pays him $24 million in 2025. In his fourth year with America's Team, the 26-year-old tallied 30 solo and 13 assisted tackles with 12 sacks. Unfortunately, after three straight 12-5 seasons, the Cowboys had a tragic 7-10 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The brutal ending led to the Cowboys firing coach Mike McCarthy after five seasons. The head coach was replaced by Brian Schottenheimer, who assured Parsons his contractual limbo would be sorted. After Parsons called his new coach for a TikTok video, Schottenheimer commended Parsons' attitude over the situation. 'I know this is weird for everybody, but look, you're handling everything the right way, bro,' Schottenheimer told Parsons. 'This thing is going to get worked out.'

NCAA implements coach's challenge in men's CBB to 'enhance the flow of the game'
NCAA implements coach's challenge in men's CBB to 'enhance the flow of the game'

USA Today

time32 minutes ago

  • USA Today

NCAA implements coach's challenge in men's CBB to 'enhance the flow of the game'

NCAA implements coach's challenge in men's CBB to 'enhance the flow of the game' Show Caption Hide Caption Duke, Auburn, Houston players talk NCAA age limit before Final Four Men's Final Four players weigh in on if college basketball should have an age limit If there were a defining image of the 2024-25 men's college basketball season, it wasn't a buzzer-beater, a stunning upset or even the Final Four itself, when Florida completed a frantic comeback to defeat Houston in an instant classic of an NCAA championship game. It was officials gathering around a monitor to review a call at a late stage in the game. Two months after the season ended, the powers that be in the sport are looking to remedy the issue. REQUIRED READING: The 2025 NBA draft deadline has passed. Who are the college basketball winners and losers? The NCAA's playing rules oversight panel approved several changes on June 10 that will aim to 'help enhance the flow of the game,' the organization announced Tuesday. Most notable among them is the introduction of a coach's challenge, which can be used at any point during a game to review out-of-bounds calls, basket interference and goaltending, and whether a secondary defender was in the restricted arc area underneath the basket. Teams must have a timeout in order to use a challenge. If the challenge is successful, the team will be permitted one additional video review request for the rest of the game, including overtime. If the contested call isn't overturned, a team can't bring forth a challenge for the rest of the game. The NBA has employed a similar challenge system since 2019. Referee-initiated video reviews on out-of-bounds calls in the final minutes of games were a constant source of frustration for fans in recent years, with the deliberations regularly interrupting close, exciting games and extending the game well beyond its allotted broadcast window. Even with the coach's challenge, officials can still decide to turn to instant replay for timing mistakes, scoring errors, shot-clock violations, flagrant fouls and whether a shot is a 2-pointer or a 3-pointer, among other things. They can also initiate reviews for restricted-arc plays and goaltending/basket interference in the final two minutes of a game and overtime. REQUIRED READING: ESPN signs Dick Vitale to multi-year extension, creates annual event in his honor The advent of the coach's challenge was one of several measures that was approved Tuesday. The continuous motion rule has been tweaked so that a player driving with the ball who has absorbed contact can complete their step and attempt a field goal, another step that brings the college rules closer to their NBA counterparts. Players are currently only awarded free throws if they're fouled while shooting. Under new rules, officials will also have the option to call a Flagrant 1 foul if a player has been contacted in the groin. Previously, they could only rule it a common foul or a Flagrant 2 foul, the latter of which results in an ejection. Perhaps the biggest change is one the NCAA ultimately didn't implement. In its release, the organization noted that the NCAA men's basketball committee had conversations and 'positive momentum' to move men's games from halves to quarters. While there are logistical challenges — namely, how media timeouts would be structured during a game — the committee has recommended that Division I conferences form a joint working group to offer feedback on the potential halves-to-quarters move. Halves are largely a relic of the men's college game, as women's college basketball, the NBA and international basketball all use quarters.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store