The tyranny of the NCAA tournament is merciless in college basketball. What happens across three weeks in March and April rule, with the power to nullify everything that came before them. Disappointing seasons can be rescued in March, but great seasons can be wiped out as well.
Purdue and Arizona know that as well as any men’s programs in America. The two flopped disastrously last March, and until they get back to that stage again—and win—nothing will heal those wounds. The cruel fact of the matter is that the two teams are off to great starts and played a great game here against each other Saturday … and it means very little.
Third-ranked Purdue (10–1) defeated No. 1 Arizona (8–1), 92-84, in Indianapolis. The court was full of outstanding players making outstanding plays for teams with no glaring weaknesses. The coaching by Matt Painter of the Boilermakers and Tommy Lloyd of the Wildcats was top shelf. It’s the kind of game that is routinely referred to as a March preview.
