Men's Basketball Poll

#22 Purdue Boilermakers

Overall Record

24-12

Last Game

vs Illinois L 80-88

Conference Record

13-7

Next Game

-

Houston's L.J. Cryer celebrates his team's victory over Tennessee in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Houston defense thrives on bringing out the ugly during latest March Madness run

The Houston Cougars like mixing it up — and turning things ugly. Their hard-nosed defense has been a staple throughout coach Kelvin Sampson’s 11-year tenure, and it served them well again in Indianapolis against two teams with much larger fan bases, Purdue and Tennessee.

Purdue's Braden Smith (3) looks to the basket as Houston's Mylik Wilson (8) defends during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Houston and Tennessee will match elite defenses in their bids to reach the Final Four

Auburn center Dylan Cardwell celebrates a win against Michigan after the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Top-seeded Auburn rallies in 2nd half to beat Michigan

Houston's Milos Uzan (7) scores past Purdue's C.J. Cox (0) with less than a second left during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Milos Uzan’s late bucket on inbound play sends Houston into Elite Eight with 62-60 win over Purdue

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots for three in front of Connecticut forward Alex Karaban (11) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Numbers to know for each of the 16 teams remaining in March Madness

More News

Houston Cougars face the Purdue Boilermakers in Sweet 16

Houston Cougars and Purdue Boilermakers square off in Sweet 16

Michigan head coach Dusty May directs his team against Texas A&M during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dusty May saves faltering Michigan program and returns Wolverines to prominence with Sweet 16 berth

Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) drives to the basket against McNeese State guard T'Johnn Brown, left, during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Coach Matt Painter’s ability to adapt game plans has Purdue returning to Sweet 16

McNeese State head coach Will Wade signals to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

NC State officially announces hiring of McNeese’s Will Wade as new Wolfpack men’s basketball coach

Houston guard Milos Uzan (7) dives for a loose ball against Gonzaga forward Emmanuel Innocenti during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Wichita, Kan. (AP Photo/Travis Heying)

No. 1 seed Houston holds off Gonzaga comeback

Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) reacts after hitting a three-pointer against Gonzaga during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Wichita, Kan. (AP Photo/Travis Heying)

No. 1 seed Houston holds off Gonzaga comeback, beats No. 8 seed Bulldogs 81-76 to reach Sweet 16

McNeese State head coach Will Wade questions a call during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

McNeese’s Will Wade signs a 6-year deal to become NC State coach, AP source says

Purdue forward Caleb Furst (1) celebrates on a dunk against McNeese State during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Purdue returns to Sweet 16 with 76-62 win over McNeese in March Madness

Purdue Boilermakers square off against the McNeese Cowboys in second round

McNeese State forward Christian Shumate (24) celebrates during the second half against Clemson in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

McNeese’s Will Wade calls his team ‘selfish’ in the best possible way. Purdue up next for Cowboys

SIU Edwardsville guard Declan Dillon, looks to pass around Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) during the first half of a first round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Wichita, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Houston-Gonzaga set for Final Four-style showdown in the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend

Purdue and McNeese play in second round of NCAA Tournament

McNeese State guard Brandon Murray (23) takes a shot over Clemson defenders during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

No. 12 seed McNeese holds off Clemson to earn first March Madness victory

Maryland center Derik Queen (25) reacts to a basket against the Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Maryland’s March Madness hopes rest with the ‘Crab Five’

Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) drives to the basket against High Point during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Kaufman-Renn scores 21 to help Purdue hold off High Point in the NCAA Tournament

Purdue plays High Point in first round of NCAA Tournament

Purdue Boilermakers face High Point Panthers in opening round of NCAA Tournament

Auburn forward Johni Broome (4) shoots a layup against LSU forward Corey Chest (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest, File)

Johni Broome of Auburn, Cooper Flagg of Duke unanimous picks to lead the AP All-America team

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp celebrates after winning an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona for the championship in the Big 12 Conference tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Houston a top seed for 3rd straight year, looks to make deeper run after 2 Sweet 16 losses in a row

Michigan Wolverines play in Big Ten Tournament against the Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, center right, drives into Southern California forward Josh Cohen (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Trey Kaufman-Renn scores 30 and No. 20 Purdue beats USC 76-71 in Big Ten Tournament

Purdue squares off against USC in Big Ten Tournament

Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) celebrates after a basket against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Braden Smith, Spartans’ Tom Izzo win top awards in Big Ten’s voting for conference honors

Purdue's Braden Smith looks to pass during an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Friday, March 7, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Purdue’s Braden Smith is AP’s Big Ten player of the year, Izzo is top coach, Tonje newcomer of year

Purdue's Camden Heide battles for a rebound with Illinois' Ben Humrichous during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, March 7, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Illinois rallies to beat No. 18 Purdue 88-80

Illinois' Will Riley, right, advances the ball against Purdue's Fletcher Loyer, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, March 7, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Jakucionis’ 3-pointer completes Illinois’ rally for 88-80 win over No. 18 Purdue

Illinois hosts No. 18 Purdue following Loyer’s 23-point game

No. 18 Purdue visits Illinois following Smith’s 23-point performance

Texas A&M forward Pharrel Payne, left, and guard CJ Wilcher, right, block a shot attempt by Auburn guard Chad Baker-Mazara, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

No. 1 Auburn falls to No. 22 Texas A&M