Live Game Thread & Updates for Purdue vs. Michigan in Big Ten Tournament Championship

CHICAGO — Championship Sunday has arrived. No. 7 seed Purdue will play No. 1 seed Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game, hoping to avenge the regular-season loss and bring a conference tournament title back to West Lafayette.

Michigan won the first meeting 91-80 back in February at Mackey Arena. Purdue has looked impressive so far in the Big Ten Tournament, but do the Boilermakers have enough juice to pull off the upset at the United Center?

Follow along with Purdue Boilermakers On SI throughout the game as Purdue and Michigan go head-to-head in Chicago. You can refresh this page frequently for the latest updates and analysis live from the United Center.

Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) brings the ball up court. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

#7 Purdue vs. #1 Michigan live game blog

1st half

1:25 — Purdue is on a 9-0 and retakes the lead at 35-32 with less than 90 seconds in the half. Some huge buckets from Braden Smith, Jack Benter and Trey Kaufman-Renn over the last two minutes. Plus, Smith got a big steal. These Boilers won't back down at all.

3:14 — Oscar Cluff just picked up his third foul. That's significant, as Michigan hasn't really had an answer for him. Michigan extended its lead to 32-26 with a pair of free throws after Purdue's first turnover of the game.

3:50 — Michigan was able to take advantage of Purdue's lack of size and the foul situation. The Wolverines are attacking the paint and getting good looks at the basket. Purdue isn't backing down though, only trailing 28-26 at the final media timeout. Fletcher Loyer and Oscar Cluff both have nine points for the Boilermakers. Nimari Burnett has eight for Michigan.

6:27 — Fletcher Loyer is fouled and knocks down a triple after Michigan went on a bit of a run. That was a huge response to convert a four-point play in that moment. Loyer is up to seven points.

7:51 — Third media timeout and we're tied 17-17 in the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game. The Boilers are facing some serious adversity with both Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn both in foul trouble. So far, Purdue's defense has looked much better in this game against Michigan than the first meeting. Both teams are shooting 36.8% from the floor.

8:09 — Another big development with Oscar Cluff picking up his second foul. Purdue's two starting bigs are already in foul trouble.

8:47 — Braden Smith gets his first bucket of the game, hitting a stepback on Morez Johnson Jr. That ends a long scoring drought for the Boilermalers. Michigan wasn't able to take advantage, though. We're tied 17-17.

11:06 — Due to a jersey issue, Braden Smith is now wearing jersey No. 41.

11:06 — Second media timeout and Purdue leads Michigan 15-13. The Boilermakers are doing a nice job of rotating and making shots difficult for Michigan, but the Wolverines are also missing some good looks. The Boilermakers have a little bit of trouble to navigate, with Trey Kaufman-Renn picking up his second foul. How long will he sit in the first half?

12:22 — Trey Kaufman-Renn is a lot for Michigan to handle in the post, even with their size and athleticism. He has such elite post moves that he makes look easy. Purdue is also doing a much better job, at least early, of chasing down these longer rebounds.

14:17 — A lot of offense here early. A Yaxel Lendeborg three put Michigan ahead 13-11. Purdue is shooting 50% from the floor and Michigan is at 62.5%. A good job by the Boilermakers early to get Oscar Cluff involved. He already has six points for Purdue.

18:16 — Fletcher Loyer gives Purdue and early 5-3 lead with a three-pointer from the corner. He had to pump fake to get his defender in the air, then knocked down the contested look.

Starting lineups

Purdue — #0 C.J. Cox (G), #2 Fletcher Loyer (G), #3 Braden Smith (G), #4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (F), #45 Oscar Cluff (C).
Michigan — #3 Elliot Cadeau (G), #4 Nimari Burnett (G), #21 Morez Johnson Jr. (F), #23 Yaxel Lendeborg (F), #15 Aday Mara (C).

Availability report

Purdue — OUT: None. QUESTIONABLE: None.
Michigan — OUT: Winters Grady, L.J. Cason. QUESTIONABLE: None.

Tipoff between Purdue and Michigan is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on CBS.

What's at stake

Purdue had preseason ambitions of winning a Big Ten regular season title. The Boilermakers fell short of that goal, ending conference play with a 13-7 record. A win on Sunday would give Purdue the opportunity to bring some league hardware back to West Lafayette, a big accomplishment for this senior class.

Michigan is looking to make a clean sweep of the Big Ten championships this season. The Wolverines went 19-1 in league play and could follow their outright conference title with a tournament championship, as well.

Perhaps more importantly, both teams are trying to make one final impression on the NCAA selection committee prior to bracket announcements. Can Michigan move up among the No. 1 seeds with a win over Purdue. Could the Boilermakers take the top No. 3 seed by upsetting the Wolverines?

There is plenty at stake when Purdue and Michigan tip off in Chicago.

Get top Boilermakers stories, expert analysis, and can't-miss moments straight to your inbox for free by signing up for the Purdue Boilermakers on SI newsletter!