Live Game Thread & Updates for Purdue vs. Texas in Sweet 16

Purdue and Texas meet in the Sweet 16 Thursday night. Follow along for live updates throughout the game as the Boilers hope to continue their season.

Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) celebrates a three-point basket. | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

It may be hard to believe, but we've already reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. The Sweet 16 tips off with No. 2 Purdue playing No. 11 Texas in San Jose, Calif., as both teams try to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the Final Four.

Purdue has won six straight games, dating back to its four-game run to a Big Ten Tournament title in Chicago. The Boilermakers are playing some of their best basketball at the right time.

The same can be said for Texas, which has had a difficult path to the Sweet 16. The Longhorns defeated N.C. State in a play-in game, then upset both No. 6 BYU and No. 3 Gonzaga to reach San Jose.

Thursday night's matchup between Purdue and Texas should be fun. Follow along for the latest updates and analysis throughout the night with Purdue Boilermakers On SI. You can refres this page frequently for the latest happening.

Purdue Boilermakers center Oscar Cluff (45) celebrates with Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3). | Jeff Le-Imagn Images

#2 Purdue vs. #11 Texas live game blog

1st half

9:16 — Braden Smith with a nifty move for a layup to put Purdue ahead 24-23. Sean Miller takes a timeout. Things are coming easier in the offense tonight, but the defense continues to struggle. Purdue is going to have to get stops, because this Texas team can score at a high level.

10:03 — Purdue regains the lead at 22-21. Jack Benter took a charge on the defensive end, the Braden Smith connected with Trey Kaufman-Renn for a bucket to give the Boilers a lead again.

10:48 — Our first media timeout comes more than nine minutes into the game. Just an insane run of clean basketball by both teams. Texas leads Purdue 20-18 and is shooting 8-of-14 from the floor. Tramon Mark has been sizzling, already up to 10 points for the Longhorns.

C.J. Cox and Fletcehr Loyer have both scored six piints for Purdue, but the Boilers have left some points on the floor. Oscar Cluff missed two shots at the basket and the team is just 2-of-6 from long range to start.

12:20 — A really long start to this game without a media timeout. Texas has taken a 17-16 advantage. Both teams look like they could use a break right now.

16:32 — Oscar Cluff has had a few good looks right at the basket, but Matas Vokietaitis' length has forced those shots to be off. It's 6-5 in favor of the Boilermakers early.

19:41 — Just 19 seconds into the game and Tramon Mark picks up an early foul, the Fletcher Loyer knocks down a three-pointer. Great start for Purdue.

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).
• Texas — #0 Jordan Pope (G), #12 Tramon Mark (G), #3 Dailyn Swain (F), #5 Camden Heide (F), #8 Matas Vokietaitis (C).

Pregame

• Texas senior guard Jordan Pope will also play tonight. He was initially listed as "questionable," and was not listed among the team's starters for the game. Pope is now in the starting lineup.

• Sophomore guard C.J. Cox is listed as a starter for tonight's game against Texas. That means he will play, but will he be on any restrictions? It's a big deal for the Boilermakers, as he was listed as questionable.

Tipoff between Purdue and Texas is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. The game will air on CBS.

What's at stake

All season, Purdue has talked about the desire to return to the Final Four and to win a national championship. Thursday night's game is the next step towards that goal.

The Boilermakers have played well in the first two games, defeating both Queens and Miami by double digits. But the longer the tournament goes, the more challenging the opponent. Texas may be a No. 11 seed, but the Longhorns present plenty of challenges.

Purdue has been led by its senior trio of Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer. Those three have carried a heavy workload throughout their careers, and they can't let up if the Boilers are to return to college basketball's premier event.

Texas has already made it much further in March Madness as a No. 11 seed that barely made the field. At this point, the Longhorns are playing with house money. Sometimes, those can be the most dangerous teams to play in the postseason.

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