The Texas Longhorns have beaten some tough teams in their latest NCAA Tournament run. They’ll face another in the Sweet 16.
No. 2-seeded Purdue is next on the Longhorns’ schedule. The Boilermakers booked their spot in the Sweet 16 after posting impressive victories over Queens (N.C.) and Miami (FL). Here are five things to know about Purdue ahead of Thursday night’s matchup:
Purdue has a history-making point guard
For Texas to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament, the team will have to key in on Purdue’s Braden Smith. The point guard has been pivotal to the Boilermakers’ success over the last four seasons, setting the tone with well-placed passes.
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In Purdue’s first-round win over Queens, Smith became the NCAA’s all-time leader in assists. He surpassed Bobby Hurley’s previous mark of 1,076 assists. Smith now sits at 1,091 assists going into the Sweet 16 showdown. The Purdue playmaker is currently averaging eight assists per game in the NCAA Tournament.
Led by one of the nation’s top coaches
Matt Painter is no stranger to this stage. He has led Purdue to the NCAA Tournament 17 times throughout his 21-season tenure at the school. Painter has made Purdue a Sweet 16 fixture for three consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
Since taking over as Purdue’s head coach in 2005, Painter has posted a 500-223 record as the program’s leader. He notably played at Purdue from 1989-93.
Came into the season with high expectations
Everyone expected Purdue to be a problem this season. The Associated Press listed the Boilermakers as the country’s top team ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. While Purdue didn’t finish the regular season at No. 1, the team wasn’t too far off. The AP ranked the Boilermakers at No. 8 before March Madness began.
Because of its strong campaign, Purdue (-6.5) is favored over Texas going into the Sweet 16.
The Longhorns and Boilermakers faced off in the NCAA Tournament a few years ago
Texas and Purdue met in the 2022 NCAA Tournament’s second round. While Purdue only held a five-point lead at halftime of that showdown, the Longhorns couldn’t catch up in the second half. The Boilermakers won the matchup 81-71.
Purdue was ultimately eliminated from that tournament by No. 15-seed Saint Peter’s in the Sweet 16.
Purdue will see a familiar face in a Texas uniform
Before he landed at Texas, Longhorns forward Camden Heide spent the first two years of his collegiate career at Purdue. He appeared in 75 games for the Boilermakers, averaging 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds.
Heide became a hero in Texas’ second-round upset of Gonzaga when he drilled a 3-pointer from the right corner with 14.7 seconds left in regulation. The shot was pivotal as the Longhorns secured their Sweet 16 ticket. Thursday will provide an interesting reunion between Heide and the Boilermakers.