Hammer and Rails - All PostsPurdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2024-03-18T20:00:00-04:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T20:00:00-04:002024-03-18T20:00:00-04:00Purdue Non-Con Tracker: Teams in the Tourney
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<img alt="Syndication: The Tennessean" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D6Y7Mhzd4ko_Fso8sA_TaVcFKYE=/0x72:1740x1232/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216683/usa_today_22800953.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Purdue played several teams that made the NCAA Tournament. Let’s take a look.</p> <p id="yQyIki">Over the course of the regular season and Big Ten Tournament, Purdue played in 33 games. 17 of those games were against teams that made the NCAA Tournament. Here is a recap of those games and some background on the team:</p>
<p id="bhYto3"><strong>Samford Bulldogs (H)</strong><br>NET: 74<br>KenPom: 81<br>Game Score: Purdue 98 - Samford 45<br>NCAAT Seed: 13 Seed in Midwest</p>
<p id="FhoYyg"><strong>Morehead State (H)</strong><br>NET: 106<br>KenPom: 111<br>Game Score: Purdue 87 - Morehead State 57<br>NCAAT Seed: 14 Seed in East</p>
<p id="NtqHNn"><strong>11 Gonzaga (N)</strong><br>NET: 17<br>KenPom: 15<br>Game Score: Purdue 73 - Gonzaga 63<br>NCAAT Seed: 5 Seed in Midwest</p>
<p id="IuXrb8"><strong>7 Tennessee (N)</strong><br>NET: 7<br>KenPom: 7<br>Game Score: Purdue 71 - Tennessee 67<br>NCAAT Seed: 2 Seed in Midwest</p>
<p id="PYkUXo"><strong>4 Marquette (N)</strong><br>NET: 14<br>KenPom: 12<br>Game Score: Purdue 78 - Marquette 75<br>NCAAT Seed: 2 Seed in South</p>
<p id="IAqK0d"><strong>Northwestern (A)</strong><br>NET: 53<br>KenPom: 46<br>Game Score: Purdue 88 - Northwestern 92 (OT)<br>NCAAT Seed: 9 Seed in East</p>
<p id="sgdnSi"><strong>Alabama (N)</strong><br>NET: 9<br>KenPom: 13<br>Game Score: Purdue 92 - Alabama 86<br>NCAAT Seed: 4 Seed in West</p>
<p id="ZUrLhN"><strong>1 Arizona (N)</strong><br>NET: 4<br>KenPom: 6<br>Game Score: Purdue 92 - Arizona 84<br>NCAAT Seed: 2 Seed in West</p>
<p id="4EmILq"><strong>9 Illinois (H)</strong><br>NET: 13<br>KenPom: 10<br>Game Score: Purdue 83 - Illinois 78<br>NCAAT Seed: 3 Seed in East</p>
<p id="DJ5W7N"><strong>Nebraska (A)</strong><br>NET: 33<br>KenPom: 28<br>Game Score: Purdue 72 - Nebraska 88<br>NCAAT Seed: 8 Seed in South</p>
<p id="TkcSqg"><strong>Northwestern (H)</strong><br>NET: 53<br>KenPom: 46<br>Game Score: Purdue 105 - Northwestern 96 (OT)<br>NCAAT Seed: 9 Seed in East</p>
<p id="h4TyJV"><strong>6 Wisconsin (A)</strong><br>NET: 21<br>KenPom: 17<br>Game Score: Purdue 75 - Wisconsin 69<br>NCAAT Seed: 5 Seed in South</p>
<p id="1bDEkF"><strong>Michigan State (H)</strong><br>NET: 24<br>KenPom: 18<br>Game Score: Purdue 80 - Michigan State 74<br>NCAAT Seed: 9 Seed in West</p>
<p id="aVn7AB"><strong>12 Illinois (A)</strong><br>NET: 13<br>KenPom: 10<br>Game Score: Purdue 77 - Illinois 71<br>NCAAT Seed: 3 Seed in East</p>
<p id="BJGFwR"><strong>Wisconsin (H)</strong><br>NET: 21<br>KenPom: 17<br>Game Score: Purdue 78 - Wisconsin 70<br>NCAAT Seed: 5 Seed in South</p>
<p id="qCZOk8"><strong>Michigan State (N)</strong><br>NET: 24<br>KenPom: 18<br>Game Score: Purdue 67 - Michigan State 62<br>NCAAT Seed: 9 Seed in West</p>
<p id="IBMzhJ"><strong>Wisconsin (N)</strong><br>NET: 21<br>KenPom: 17<br>Game Score: Purdue 75 - Wisconsin 76<br>NCAAT Seed: 5 Seed in South</p>
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<p id="V3WBe1"><strong>Recap</strong></p>
<p id="WFeZiP">Purdue has played 17 games against tournament teams and went 14-3. They were 6-0 at home, 6-1 in neutral sites, and 2-2 on the road. It’s also worth noting that Purdue is 1-0 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season, which is where they will play in front of basically a home crowd. Purdue still presents the best resume in the country, winning games against 5 top-4 seeds and 7 top-5 seeds. They have faced tough competition in neutral and road environments and took care of business. The moral of the story: just keep winning as you’ve done all year. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2024/3/18/24105344/purdue-non-con-tracker-teams-in-the-tourneyPURB972024-03-18T16:31:54-04:002024-03-18T16:31:54-04:00Purdue Baseball: Weekend Series Recap
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<p>This week included a single mid-week game against Northern Illinois and a weekend series against Samford.</p> <p id="Oz5Nrs">The BaseBoilers are staying consistent offensively and stay in the win column.</p>
<p id="LxLw8S">On Wednesday, the Boilermakers hosted the Huskies of Northern Illinois University for a one-off game. The home team finished with an expected win, besting the road team 11-1.</p>
<p id="WMfrQo">Purdue started off with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning off of a fielding error that allowed Luke Gaffney to score, but NIU would answer with one one in the fourth inning to tie the game.</p>
<p id="B92KhP">All downhill from there. Purdue would win the game 11-1 featuring a bunch of small ball in addition to big homers from Connor Caskenette, Gaffney, and Logan Sutter. Aaron Suval picked up the win after pitching two innings when it was tied 1-1.</p>
<p id="hhCJpV">Now, to the series against Samford. I had mentioned last week that they always field solid teams and were not a team toward which you should sneeze. This was a strongly fought series that was split 2-2.</p>
<p id="28IVh1">Game one: 5-1 loss. Couper Cornblum knocked in the only run after Samford was already up 5-0. Not much to discuss.</p>
<p id="lDTYe5">Game two: Samford started off with a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Purdue answered in the bottom of the first with the two runs which would prove to be all the Boilers needed to win. Gasser knocked in Cornblum with a single to left field, Caskenette hit a sacrifice fly, it’s 2-1. Final score was 6-1 after home runs from Gill, Caskenette, and Sutter.</p>
<p id="zifsrN">Game three: Chaos. College pitching is chaos. Purdue wins 13-12 in extra innings, but how did we get there after a 5-0 lead in the first that was elevated to 6-0 in the second?</p>
<p id="Mw0nzd">Samford scored two runs in the top of the fourth to make it 6-2, Purdue scores another to answer. It’s 7-2. Experimental pitching begins.</p>
<p id="hJRBMc">Samford scores eight runs in the fifth and are now up 10-8. Purdue answers with four small ball runs in the seventh inning to take the lead. Samford scores two in the eighth. 12-12. We go to extras. Ty Gill sac flies, Boilers win 13-12 in ten innings. I was wiping sweat off my forehead.</p>
<p id="gZB6Z2">Onto the final game of the series: another game that makes me appreciate how hectic college pitching is even if my team loses.</p>
<p id="HIy6uX">Purdue lost this one 11-10. I really don’t even want to go hard on this one due to how heartbreaking it was. Purdue was down big, made a late run, scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but came up just a run short of taking it to extras.</p>
<p id="YfoU3d">Again, Samford’s a good team. They stand at 12-7, your Boilers are 15-6.</p>
<p id="4mvBgK">The Boilermakers will host The University of Illinois-Chicago in a single game on Wednesday before conference play begins against Iowa over the weekend. All games will be broadcast on BTN+.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2024/3/18/24105083/purdue-baseball-weekend-series-recapGarrettShearman2024-03-18T14:00:00-04:002024-03-18T14:00:00-04:00Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Week 19
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship-Wisconsin vs Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uPJnk0uycjCxFuWzDCD5Fg3gPUo=/1x0:4444x2962/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215754/usa_today_22801636.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We are at our last set of power rankings for the season. How did everyone’s season go and what’s next?</p> <h2 id="SjNd78"><strong>Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Week 19</strong></h2>
<p id="bv2twD"><strong>1) Purdue (-)</strong><br><strong>W vs Michigan State, L vs Wisconsin</strong><br><strong>Next up: NCAA Tournament vs Grambling / Montana State (1-seed in Midwest)</strong><br>Purdue’s focus quickly shifted to the NCAA Tournament after losing a heart breaker vs Wisconsin in the BTT semifinals. The extra day of rest could be a silver lining. </p>
<p id="s0IMTF"><strong>2) Illinois (-)</strong><br><strong>W vs Ohio State, W vs Nebraska, W vs Wisconsin</strong><br><strong>Next up: NCAA Tournament vs Morehead State (3-seed in East)</strong><br>Illinois flexed its muscles in the BTT and showed why it is clearly the second best Big Ten team (that’s not a slight, it’s the honest truth). </p>
<p id="nXLzJc"><strong>3) Nebraska (-)</strong><br><strong>W vs Indiana, L vs #13 Illinois</strong><br><strong>Next up: NCAA Tournament vs Texas A&M (8-seed in South)</strong><br>Nebraska decided to drop a hammer down on Indiana and then fell short against Illinois. It just feels like someone is going to get Tominaga’d in the NCAA Tournament. </p>
<p id="DZrZJd"><strong>4) Northwestern (-)</strong><br><strong>L vs Wisconsin</strong><br><strong>Next up: NCAA Tournament vs FAU (9-seed in East)</strong><br>Just like someone will get Tominaga’d, someone might get Boo Buie’d. Unfortunately for the cats, injuries and some lack of depth may prove problematic.</p>
<p id="S77oJ7"><strong>5) Wisconsin ( +4)</strong><br><strong>W vs Maryland, W vs #3 Purdue, L vs #13 Illinois</strong><br><strong>Next up: NCAA Tournament (5-seed in South)</strong><br>Wisconsin had a great BTT run, dismantling Maryland, getting past Northwestern, keeping Purdue from sweeping back-to-back conference championships, then falling just short of the final crown. And of course, Wisconsin pulled one of 4 30-win teams in the nation.</p>
<p id="d3wRsd"><strong>6) Michigan State (+1)</strong><br><strong>W vs Minnesota, L vs #3 Purdue</strong><br><strong>Next up: NCAA Tournament (9-seed in West)</strong><br>I will say that Michigan State barely skated into the tournament as their final stretch was not inspiring by any means. Much like Syracuse in years past, the name on the jersey helped carry this squad into the field. </p>
<p id="HyfACc"><strong>7) Ohio State (+1)</strong><br><strong>W Iowa, L vs #13 Illinois</strong><br><strong>Next up: NIT (1st round vs Cornell)</strong><br>Congrats to Jake Diebler for getting the ‘Interim’ portion of his job title removed. His team played inspired ball and seemingly were a few points away from beating Illinois and making the selection committee think hard about putting them in the Big Dance. </p>
<p id="hyHrpK"><strong>8) Indiana (-2)</strong><br><strong>W vs Penn State, L vs Nebraska</strong><br><strong>Next up: Recruit instead of playing in NIT (because it worked so well before)</strong><br>Sure, let’s make a ‘team’ decision to turn down an opportunity to play postseason basketball so that we can go and focus on recruiting and making future teams better. That is a dumb proposition and the current players deserve better. Hopefully the extra few days will allow the Hoosiers to actually bring in a recruit for next year, considering they have 0 at the moment.</p>
<p id="V6qYez"><strong>9) Iowa (-4)</strong><br><strong>L vs Ohio State</strong><br><strong>Next up: NIT (1st round vs Kansas State)</strong><br>A hot streak near the end of the ear fizzled out and Iowa will look at an NIT berth. Sometimes, seasons just go this way. You can’t have a Luka Garza or Murray twin on your team every year. </p>
<p id="fsUVGy"><strong>10) Penn State (+1)</strong><br><strong>W vs Michigan, L vs Indiana</strong><br><strong>Next up: Try and build off the positives from this season</strong><br>The Nittany Lions won’t get to the NIT but there are definitely things to build on for future years. This team was a pesky bunch and Mike Rhoades should have his team looking forward.</p>
<p id="AoK5Pg"><strong>11) Minnesota (-1)</strong><br><strong>L vs Michigan State</strong><br><strong>Next up: NIT (1st round at Butler)</strong><br>Ben Johnson getting Minnesota to the NIT was a big feat. This program has been at r near the bottom for several years and it is now on the rise. Whether or not Minnesota will fully break through, we’ll see, but the movement is definitely upwards.</p>
<p id="QX1xaj"><strong>12) Maryland (+1)</strong><br><strong>W vs Rutgers, L vs Wisconsin</strong><br><strong>Next up: Try and understand how so much talent underachieved so much</strong><br>I would venture to say that Maryland was the most disappoint team in the Big Ten considering the amount of talent they returned and the pieces they added. Jamir Young had to carry Maryland often and that can only get you so far. Kevin Willard will need to really get his act together or he might end up on the hot seat.</p>
<p id="8hAedV"><strong>13) Rutgers (-1)</strong><br><strong>L vs Maryland</strong><br><strong>Next u: Wait for the new recruiting class to come in</strong><br>No doubt about it, it was a down year for Rutgers but the eyes in Piscataway need to be on next year when the Scarlet Knights will bring in 2 of the top 4 recruits in the nation and 5 top-200 recruits overall. Now, the one caveat is that some teams are much better at handling freshmen stars than others (compare Kentucky to Memphis) but the talent will be bursting in New Jersey. </p>
<p id="BmmGX9"><strong>14) Michigan (-)</strong><br><strong>L vs Penn State</strong><br><strong>Next up: Find a new head coach</strong><br>Michigan will now replace both its football coach and basketball coach for next year. So much flux in Ann Arbor. Maybe a different member of the Fab 5 can come in and be a train-wreck for the program? Jalen Rose or Chris Webber, come on down! </p>
<p id="dUdDOw"></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2024/3/18/24104985/big-ten-basketball-power-rankings-week-19PURB972024-03-18T13:47:45-04:002024-03-18T13:47:45-04:00Purdue Men’s Basketball At #3 in Final AP Poll
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Semifinal-Wisconsin vs Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CGhxOhrhvDxU_ZM1kPICg5h6TgM=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215713/usa_today_22791579.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The polls are worthless at this point. </p> <p id="8KS0Dl">The final AP Poll of the year has been released at Purdue finds themselves at #3 yet again. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">3️⃣ in final AP poll. <a href="https://t.co/G6p0gwOu4g">pic.twitter.com/G6p0gwOu4g</a></p>— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilerBall/status/1769771591238308203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="SwTMx0">It ultimately doesn’t matter by this point. The bracket has been finalized. Purdue knows the path to the Final Four. The AP Poll is an interesting thing to look at, sort of fun to see where everyone lands, but right now it doesn’t matter. </p>
<p id="FvTSwW">Nothing matters now except these next 6 games. Purdue has the chance to go to the Final Four for the first time since 1980 and the fact that they are ranked #3 won’t impact that one way or another. Let’s still take a look at others connected to Purdue who are in the final AP Poll. </p>
<ul>
<li id="YUPI8y">#6 Tennessee - Purdue defeated in Maui</li>
<li id="ZtEI3d">#8 Marquette - Purdue defeated in Maui</li>
<li id="kwIK7N">#9 Arizona - Purdue defeated in Indianapolis </li>
<li id="WcW46x">#10 Illinois - Purdue defeated twice</li>
<li id="zEbCen">#18 Gonzaga - Purdue defeated in Maui</li>
<li id="NKkmSJ">#19 Alabama - Purdue defeated in Toronto</li>
<li id="tnPJzF">#23 Wisconsin - Purdue defeated twice and lost in semi-finals of BTT</li>
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<p id="xRUjwZ">Nebraska is also receiving votes. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2024/3/18/24105017/purdue-mens-basketball-at-3-in-final-ap-polljumboheroes2024-03-18T09:00:00-04:002024-03-18T09:00:00-04:00Quick Glance At The Midwest Bracket
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<img alt="Syndication: Journal Sentinel" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hjJnRlRHjSLVLHQbmF7F8LZzQF8=/0x193:5760x4033/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214911/usa_today_22444758.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>It’s redemption time for the Boilers </p> <p id="hYGhQv">The teams have been drawn, the brackets have been set, and the game times announced. It’s finally time for the madness. Purdue got the #1 seed in the Midwest which looks a little like Maui Invitational 2.0. I was a little surprised to see them as the third number one seed, but location is what matters most and we got the Midwest. Purdue will get Indy for the first two rounds and Detroit for the second weekend if they make it. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Midwest Region <a href="https://t.co/c44mnu5ezU">pic.twitter.com/c44mnu5ezU</a></p>— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1769491729105748370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="UuQfti">Now I am usually one for being a little pessimistic when I see the bracket come out, but I feel like Purdue got one of the easier draws from the top seeds. Now obviously anything can happen (I mean this is Purdue and we know how this can go) and you have to take it one game at a time, but besides Tennessee, we avoided majority of the teams I didn’t want to see. </p>
<p id="wzjz2q">Top seeds in the Midwest are #1 Purdue, #2 Tennessee, #3 Creighton and #4 Kansas. First up, Purdue gets the winner of Montana St./Grambling, tip-off is set for 7:25 on Friday. If they win, they will face off against the winner of TCU/Utah St. They could then potentially see Kansas or Gonzaga for the Sweet 16. At the bottom of the bracket, #2 Tennessee goes against a familiar foe, 15 seed Saint Peters for the first round. Go Peacocks? We could see another Purdue/Tennessee matchup for the elite 8 game; social media brace yourselves. At this point, I don’t care who it is. Just win!</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2024/3/18/24104441/quick-glance-at-the-midwest-bracketGamedayGabi2024-03-18T06:15:05-04:002024-03-18T06:15:05-04:00Boiler Alert- A First Look at the Bracket
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Semifinal-Wisconsin vs Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1SCvti9wbTJ4TirTXYUX3kIlrdo=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214607/usa_today_22791566.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Plus, is it the hope that kills you? Maybe not. </p> <p id="7pILzd">Whelp, it’s finally time. There’s no other games. Just time to win or go home. Purdue vs. (insert winner of play-in-game here). Sort of stinks to not know exactly who Purdue will play on Friday but Purdue at least knows their path to the Final Four and it’s filled with familiar foes. There are plenty of teams in Purdue’s bracket that you’ll recognize either as opponents from earlier in the season or teams that have vanquished Purdue in the past. Ryan and I go through all of them and talk about what to look for in the Midwest region.</p>
<p id="EQxC8h">Also, we take a look at who else from the Big Ten made it into the Big Dance and which of them could make deep runs this season. All this, plus a rant about why Purdue deserves this, who I want this Final Four for, and why Zach Edey gets all the hate that he does. </p>
<div id="dxND5T"><div style="max-width: 660px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 175px; position: relative;"><iframe src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boiler-alert-purdue-bracket-reveal/id1089675633?i=1000649536576" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></div>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2024/3/18/24104440/boiler-alert-a-first-look-at-the-bracketjumboheroesPURB972024-03-17T19:45:00-04:002024-03-17T19:45:00-04:00First Look: Montana St & Grambling St.
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Semifinal-Wisconsin vs Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NwfSbWSR28rHU5oMPJaFZAuTTX4=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214062/usa_today_22789914.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Purdue’s first round opponent will either be the Bobcats or Tigers in Indianapolis</p> <p id="4elljQ"> The <a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com">Purdue Boilermakers</a> will play the Montana State Bobcats or the Grambling State Tigers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday. Here is some quick information on the Bobcats and Tigers to get you started.</p>
<h3 id="pW0Dlq"><strong>Montana State Bobcats (17-17 / 9-9)</strong></h3>
<p id="Z75nTk"><strong>Big Sky Tournament Champions</strong><br><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Matt Logie | 1st season: 17-17<br><strong>NCAA Tourney Appearances</strong>: 1951, 1986, 1996, 2022, 2023, 2024 (have never advanced past Round of 64)<br><strong>Net Ranking</strong>: 208th | Q1: 0-1, Q2: 1-2, Q3: 4-6, Q4: 10-7<br><strong>Kenpom</strong>: 213th | Offense: 103.3 (234th) | Defense: 107.2 (198th)<br><strong>Offensive Stats</strong>: 75.1 ppg (130th) | 36.7% 3pt (36th) | 30.6 reb (354th) | 13.1 ast (181st)<br><strong>Defensive Stats</strong>: 74.1 ppg (251st) | 8.2 stl (41st) | 2.4 blk (323rd)<br><strong>Leading Scorer</strong>: Robert Ford | Guard | 6’ 180 | 15.9 pts, 7.6 reb, 3 ast, 2.9 stl, 42.6% 3pt (78/183)<br><strong>Common Opponents</strong>: No common opponents</p>
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ne7VZ6U3NFgFXliykDnqlcFDyvM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25341457/usa_today_22768248.jpg">
<cite>Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<h3 id="fDM1jC"><strong>Grambling State Tigers (20-14 / 14-4)</strong></h3>
<p id="NCUtCf"><strong>SWAC Regular Season & Conference Tournament Champions</strong><br><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Donte Jackson | 7th Season | 119 - 101 | 3x Regular Season Champions | 1x Conference Champions<br><strong>NCAA Tourney Appearances</strong>: 2024<br><strong>Net Ranking</strong>: 279th | Q1: 0-6, Q2: 0-6, Q3: 0-2, Q4: 17-6<br><strong>Kenpom</strong>: 267th | Offense: 99.3 (297th) | Defense: 107.1 (197th)<br><strong>Offensive Stats</strong>: 67.6 ppg (321st) | 33.9% 3pt (187th) | 32.2 reb (331st | 9.8 ast (357th)<br><strong>Defensive Stats</strong>: 69 ppg (90th) | 7.4 stl (86th) | 3.1 blk (226th)<br><strong>Leading Scorer</strong>: Dozier Kintavious | 13.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.1 stl, 33.3% 3pt (37/111)<br><strong>Common Opponents</strong>: No common opponents</p>
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<img alt="Syndication: The Ames Tribune" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qHY6SMts-gg8VkrxqmF6tRT2W20=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25341479/usa_today_21935195.jpg">
<cite>Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK</cite>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2024/3/17/24103839/first-look-montana-st-grambling-stJedWilkinson2024-03-17T18:24:50-04:002024-03-17T18:24:50-04:002024 March Madness - #1 Seed Purdue to Face #16 Seed Montana State/Grambling State
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Semifinal-Wisconsin vs Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1LKfDHgm-36dVdOU98Di4PwKiH8=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213829/usa_today_22789875.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Now we know who will face in round one. </p> <p id="yauDfz">After an incredible regular season, and Big Ten Tournament, that saw Purdue finish 29-4, win a stacked Maui Invitational, win the Big Ten by 3 games, and put together one of the best resumes we’ve ever seen in college basketball, they were rewarded with a #1 seed in the Midwest region of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Just moments ago their opponent was announced on the CBS Selection Show. Purdue will face the winner of the play-in game of Montana State and Grambling State from the Big Sky/SWAC in the first round in Indianapolis. The game will be played on Friday though exact times have not yet been announced. Assuming the networks follow previous practice they will be announced later tonight or early tomorrow. </p>
<p id="hbtAY4">It was exactly one year ago today that Purdue lost in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament to FDU as just the second #1 seed to lose to a #16 seed. It’s somewhat fitting that Purdue’s road to redemption, their road to the Final Four, their road to the National Championship, should begin today. Almost beautiful in a way that Purdue was forced to sit on this feeling, this emotional blow, this devastation for an entire year before knowing what the path in front of them would be. </p>
<p id="6XacGt">Well, now we know. Purdue has a path from Indianapolis, to Detroit, to Phoenix. That’s the path. It’s right there in front of them. Fairly or not legacies are made in March. Legacies are made in a single elimination tournament renowned for buzzer beaters, upsets, and Cinderellas. For Purdue, and Matt Painter especially, to get the monkey off their backs they have to succeed in March. For most people, myself included, that means a Final Four. This team has all the tools in place to do it. A two time National Player of the Year, a star point guard who is a finalist for those same National Player of the Year awards, numerous shooters who have raised Purdue’s three point percentage, and the best 6th man in the Big Ten. The time is now for Purdue to take the next step and starting on Friday against the winner of the play-in game of Montana State and Grambling State they’ll start that journey. </p>
<p id="92y1ZW">We will have much more on the site in the coming days about Purdue’s opponent, Purdue’s region, and what we think about all things March Madness. It all starts Friday. <br><br>Also, if you’re interested in putting your bracket up against fellow H&R writers and readers <a href="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-2024/group?id=c15a8ed5-c90e-4347-b2c3-fcfaf3e3eabf">follow the link that Ryan set up right here</a>. </p>
<p id="7JJI7a"><em>Edited to add tipoff times have now been announced:</em></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Purdue will play 7:25 PM. <a href="https://t.co/0R6BxmVvn9">https://t.co/0R6BxmVvn9</a></p>— Hammer and Rails (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/status/1769520132919800013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2024/3/17/24104062/2024-march-madness-1-seed-purdue-to-face-16-seed-montana-state-grambling-statejumboheroes