Photo gallery: 3/28/26 No. 1 Arizona 79, No. 2 Purdue 64
SAN JOSE, Calif — Purdue claims NCAA Tournament elimination after losing to No. 1-seed Arizona in Elite Eight matchup. With that, the program says goodbye to a possible return back to Indianapolis for the Final Four.
After defeating the No. 11-seed Texas Longhorns on Thursday, the Boilermakers continued their stay in San Jose. Despite celebration for the victory, the No. 1-seed Arizona Wildcats were awaiting on the horizon and waiting to become Purdue’s biggest threat yet.
Senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn shoots during Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Kaufman-Renn finished with 10 points, going 5-for-15 from the field.
Senior guard Braden Smith shoots during Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Smith finished with 13 points, going 4-for-15 from the field.
Senior center Oscar Cluff shoots a free throw during Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Cluff went 6-for-8 from the line.
Senior center Oscar Cluff dribbles into Arizona junior center Motiejus Krivas during Saturday's Elite Eight game at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Cluff finished with 10 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Gicarri Harris celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Harris went 2-for-4 from deep, finishing with 8 points.
Senior guard Braden Smith dribbles during Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Smith finished with seven assists.
Senior guard Braden Smith lays on the floor after drawing an offensive foul against Arizona during Saturday's Elite Eight game at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Purdue lost 79-64, marking Smith's final collegiate basketball game.
Senior center Oscar Cluff defends Arizona junior center Motiejus Krivas during Saturday's Elite Eight game at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Cluff finished with two blocks.
Senior center Oscar Cluff shoots during Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Cluff led the Boilermakers with 14 points.
Sophomore center Daniel Jacobsen defends Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat as Peat shoots during Saturday's Elite Eight game at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Peat lead the Wildcats with 20 points.
Senior guard Fletcher Loyer dribbles into Arizona defense during Saturday's Elite Eight game at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Arizona totaled five steals to Purdue's four.
Senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn attacks toward the basket during Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California.
Senior guard Braden Smith shoots a free throw late in Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Purdue went 8-for-13 from the line.
Redshirt freshman Jack Benter defends Arizona freshman guard Brayden Burries late in Saturday's Elite Eight game at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Burries finished with 14 points.
Arizona junior center Motiejus Krivas shoots a free throw during Saturday's Elite Eight game at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Arizona went 20-for-22 from the line.
Coach Matt Painter yells while pointing near the end of Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California.
Senior guard Fletcher Loyer shoots the last 3-pointer of his collegiate career during Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. The loss marked the end of the Boilermakers' season.
Senior guard Braden Smith embraces Arizona freshman guard Brayden Burries as Saturday's Elite Eight game at SAP Center in San Jose, California ends. This game marked the end of Smith's collegiate career.
Senior guard Braden Smith embraces sophomore guard C.J. Cox after Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Purdue lost 79-64 after leading 38-31 at half.
Senior guard Braden Smith and senior guard Fletcher Loyer embrace after Saturday's Elite Eight game against Arizona at SAP Center in San Jose, California. Purdue's defeat marked the end of Smith's and Loyer's four-year career as Boilermakers.
Originally published on purdueexponent.org, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
