Kaufman-Renn Leads Purdue Past High Point in Exciting NCAA Tournament Debut

Trey Kaufman-Renn shone brightly with 21 points and eight rebounds, steering fourth-seeded Purdue to a victorious 75-63 outcome against High Point in the NCAA Tournament’s opening round on Thursday.

Emerging as Big Ten’s standout player, Braden Smith contributed significantly with 20 points and six assists, ensuring Purdue (23-11) sidestepped a first-round upset after last season’s march to the championship final. Come Saturday, the Boilermakers are set to encounter either Clemson or McNeese State in the Midwest Region’s second round.

High Point, seeded 13th, witnessed D’Maurian Williams score 12 points, supported by Trae Benham’s 11. The team, boasting a 29-6 record and a 14-game winning streak, saw their chance dwindle as they struggled to regain momentum.

The gap narrowed to 59-56 following a powerful dunk by Juslin Bodo Bodo with 7:47 on the clock. However, the Panthers couldn’t score during a critical three-minute stretch, allowing Purdue to secure a double-digit advantage again.

Initially closely contested, the game intensified as Purdue executed a decisive 17-7 run, heading into halftime with a 37-27 edge.

Key Insights:

For High Point, marked by their inaugural NCAA Tournament entry, there’s optimism ahead. Making their Division I transition in 1999, real success seemed elusive until coach Alan Huss propelled them here in his second season. His fresh success might make him a sought-after coach in the coming offseason.

Purdue, benefiting from seasoned players like seniors Smith, Caleb Furst, and Fletcher Loyer — who experienced a surprise 16-seed upset as freshmen — leveraged their know-how to navigate tricky stretches.

Looking Forward:

For Purdue, this marks their 16th NCAA appearance and 10th in a row under the guidance of veteran coach Matt Painter, who is keen to clinch his first championship.