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Purdue Advances, Faces UCLA After Consecutive Tournament Wins

PUBLISHED Mar 12, 2026, 10:04 AM ET

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Chicago, Purdue advanced through the Big Ten Tournament this week, defeating Northwestern 81-68 in the third round and Nebraska 74-58 in the quarterfinals to reach a semifinal matchup with UCLA on Saturday. Senior guard Braden Smith recorded 16 assists to move into second on the NCAA career list with 1,045 assists. Fletcher Loyer and big men Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn provided interior scoring and rebounding. Northwestern's Arrinten Page missed tournament action due to illness. Game times and television coverage were announced by conference broadcasters. Official box scores accompanied all game reports. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Regular season: Purdue beat Northwestern 70-66 in Evanston earlier in the season.
Late regular-season decline: Purdue closed with multiple losses, creating postseason urgency.
Third round (Big Ten Tournament): Purdue defeated Northwestern 81-68; Braden Smith posted 16 assists.
Quarterfinals (March 13, 2026): Purdue beat Nebraska 74-58 to reach the semifinals.
Semifinal setup: Purdue prepared to face UCLA, with reports of opponent injury concerns.

News Intelligence

Purdue's advancement in the Big Ten Tournament is a testament to teamwork and resilience. It's a reminder that even after a late-season slump, a team can bounce back. If you're a Purdue fan, it's time to rally. If you're a basketball fan, it's a great story to follow.

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Who Benefited

Purdue University’s basketball program, senior guard Braden Smith, and frontcourt players benefited from tournament wins through improved records, national attention, and strengthened NCAA positioning.

Who Impacted

Northwestern and Nebraska saw their Big Ten Tournament runs end with losses; individual players dealing with illness or injury, such as Arrinten Page and UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau, faced reduced postseason availability.

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