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In anticipation of the Sweet Sixteen beginning tomorrow night, I thought I would share some connections between the programs competing against each other, and some memories of my favorite Regional Semifinal contests involving each school. Let's start with the first game on Thursday night, #2 Purdue vs. #11 Texas. Make the jump to read some connections, memories, and a final prediction for the Boilermakers versus the Longhorns.
Game #49: (2) Purdue vs. (11) Texas, 6:10 p.m. (CT) on CBS
How Each Team Got Here!
Texas has advanced to the Sweet Sixteen all the way from the First Four, where it beat N.C. State. The Longhorns then outlasted BYU star freshman AJ Dybantsa in the first round before upsetting Gonzaga in the second round. Texas is winning a bunch of close games, which always bodes well during the NCAA Tournament. As for Purdue, the Boilermakers handled Queens (NC) in the first round, where Braden Smith became the NCAA's all-time leader in assists. After trailing by two points at halftime, the Boilermakers took care of Miami (FL) in the second half of its second-round victory.
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Texas' Ideal Path to the Final Four
- Upset Purdue.
- Avoid #1 Arizona.
- Shoot down #4 Alabama.
Purdue's Ideal Path to the Final Four
- Take care of business against Texas.
- Avoid #1 Arizona.
- Outlast #4 Alabama.
NCAA Tournament History and Memories of Purdue versus Texas
When I think of Purdue and Texas facing off in the NCAA Tourney, I first think of an absolutely boring first-round game between the schools during the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Somewhere I have this game on VHS, though I can't find it on YouTube. I believe this game between #2 Purdue and #7 Texas was the last game of the Friday night session during the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Led by Brian Cardinal, Purdue hung on to beat Texas by four points before beating Miami (FL) and then losing to Temple in the Sweet Sixteen. I totally forgot that both teams played in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Now that game is coming back to me as Chris Beard was the Head Coach of Texas. I believe that was his first season of his short tenure at Texas. Anyways, Purdue would advance past the Longhorns before getting upset by St. Peter's in the Sweet Sixteen. Apparently, Texas upset Purdue back in the second round of the 1990 NCAA Tournament, with a 73-72 victory against the #2 Boilermakers. Texas was a #10 seed that season coached by Tom Penders, a very underrated coach in the nineties.
When I think of Purdue and Texas facing off in the NCAA Tourney, I first think of an absolutely boring first-round game between the schools during the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Somewhere I have this game on VHS, though I can't find it on YouTube. I believe this game between #2 Purdue and #7 Texas was the last game of the Friday night session during the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Led by Brian Cardinal, Purdue hung on to beat Texas by four points before beating Miami (FL) and then losing to Temple in the Sweet Sixteen. I totally forgot that both teams played in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Now that game is coming back to me as Chris Beard was the Head Coach of Texas. I believe that was his first season of his short tenure at Texas. Anyways, Purdue would advance past the Longhorns before getting upset by St. Peter's in the Sweet Sixteen. Apparently, Texas upset Purdue back in the second round of the 1990 NCAA Tournament, with a 73-72 victory against the #2 Boilermakers. Texas was a #10 seed that season coached by Tom Penders, a very underrated coach in the nineties.
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Did you know that Purdue has reached 7 of the last 9 Sweet Sixteens?
The Boilermakers are 2-4 in those Sweet Sixteen games. The two years Purdue hasn't reached the Sweet Sixteen were the results of massive first-round upsets to #13 Arkansas Little Rock (2021) and #16 Fairleigh Dickinson (2023). Of course, Purdue responded the following year with a Sweet Sixteen victory against Gonzaga before advancing all the way to the title game, where it lost to UCONN. Last season, Purdue nearly upset Houston in the Sweet Sixteen, thanks to a late Cam Heide three that tied the game. Unfortunately, the Boilermakers fell asleep on the ensuing inbound play, resulting in a Milos Uzan game-winning layup for the Cougars. By the way, Heide transferred from Purdue to Texas last offseason. He now starts for the Longhorns and hit a huge three to knock off Gonzaga in the second round on Saturday. Heide is most remembered at Purdue for one of the greatest put-back dunks in recent NCAA Tournament history, during the 2024 National Championship game (see 5:24 of the first video).
The Boilermakers are 2-4 in those Sweet Sixteen games. The two years Purdue hasn't reached the Sweet Sixteen were the results of massive first-round upsets to #13 Arkansas Little Rock (2021) and #16 Fairleigh Dickinson (2023). Of course, Purdue responded the following year with a Sweet Sixteen victory against Gonzaga before advancing all the way to the title game, where it lost to UCONN. Last season, Purdue nearly upset Houston in the Sweet Sixteen, thanks to a late Cam Heide three that tied the game. Unfortunately, the Boilermakers fell asleep on the ensuing inbound play, resulting in a Milos Uzan game-winning layup for the Cougars. By the way, Heide transferred from Purdue to Texas last offseason. He now starts for the Longhorns and hit a huge three to knock off Gonzaga in the second round on Saturday. Heide is most remembered at Purdue for one of the greatest put-back dunks in recent NCAA Tournament history, during the 2024 National Championship game (see 5:24 of the first video).
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Underrated/Memorable Sweet 16 Game- Purdue Upsets Tennessee in 2019!
During the 2019 NCAA Tournament, #3 Purdue upset #2 Tennessee by five points in overtime! I vividly remember Tennessee forward Admiral Schofield and Purdue guard Carsen Edwards going back and forth on offense in this game. Behind the hot shooting of Edwards, Purdue would seemingly be Final Four bound before a shocking overtime loss to Virginia in the Elite Eight.
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Can Sean Miller Get Texas to the Sweet Sixteen on a Consistent Basis?
As for Texas, the Longhorns are making its first Sweet Sixteen appearance since the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Coached then by Beard, Texas defeated Xavier, who was then coached by the Longhorns' current Head Coach Sean Miller. The Longhorns were then upset by Miami (FL) in the Elite Eight.
At the beginning of this century, the Longhorns were a Sweet Sixteen staple, making 5 appearances in 7 seasons from 2002-2008 under Head Coach Rick Barnes. Since 2008, Texas has made just two Sweet Sixteens, including this year's surprising run.
As for Texas, the Longhorns are making its first Sweet Sixteen appearance since the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Coached then by Beard, Texas defeated Xavier, who was then coached by the Longhorns' current Head Coach Sean Miller. The Longhorns were then upset by Miami (FL) in the Elite Eight.
At the beginning of this century, the Longhorns were a Sweet Sixteen staple, making 5 appearances in 7 seasons from 2002-2008 under Head Coach Rick Barnes. Since 2008, Texas has made just two Sweet Sixteens, including this year's surprising run.
Did you know that Texas played in a Sweet Sixteen classic 20 years ago?
During the 2006 NCAA Tournament, Texas survived an amazing West Virginia team with a buzzer-beating three by Kenton Paulino. This game still stings for me as I fell in love with those John Beilein teams featuring Mike Gansey, Kevin Pittsnoggle and Joe Herber. After surviving the Mountaineers, the Longhorns would get upset by LSU in an Elite Eight game that went overtime.
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Underrated/Memorable Sweet Sixteen Game - Texas Beats UCONN in 2003!
Led by star point guard T.J. Ford, the Longhorns advanced to the 2003 Final Four, which along the way included a tight Sweet Sixteen game against Emeka Okafor, Ben Gordon and a UCONN team that would win the national title the following season. I remember rooting for the UCONN upset, though this loss left me confident that the Huskies would be the team to beat the following season. This Sweet Sixteen game was played in San Antonio, meaning Texas had a huge home-court advantage against the Huskies.
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2026 Sweet Sixteen Prediction: Purdue defeats Texas by 8-12 points
The Longhorns have had a great First Four run to the Sweet Sixteen during Sean Miller's first season as Head Coach. With versatile forwards Tramon Mark and Dailyn Swain, and emerging center Matas Vokietaitis, the Longhorns have the size to give Purdue's frontline of Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff some problems. Of course, Heide playing against his former Purdue teammates figures to be an intriguing story line. Ultimately, Purdue is the more talented, experienced and cohesive team with point guard Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Kaufman-Renn trying to end their illustrious careers with a second Final Four appearance in two seasons. The Boilermakers were preseason #1 for a reason and have been playing its best basketball at the most important time of the season. Of all the Sweet Sixteen games, this one most feels like a lock. Purdue advances to the Elite Eight.
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