Purdue upset third-ranked Michigan to secure Big Ten tournament title
Number 18-ranked Purdue overcame a late-season slump to defeat third-ranked Michigan 80-72 and clinch the Big Ten tournament championship in Chicago on Sunday.
Oscar Cluff led the scoring with 21 points to help the Boilermakers secure their first conference tournament crown since 2023.
Trey Kaufman-Renn also proved instrumental, adding 20 points in a dominant offensive display.
Impressive turnaround
The victory marks a remarkable reversal of fortune for a team that had lost four of their final six regular-season fixtures.
Braden Smith orchestrated the attack masterfully, contributing a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists alongside three steals.
Fletcher Loyer provided crucial spacing from the perimeter by sinking three three-pointers on his way to 14 points.
Wolverines fall short
The top-seeded Wolverines had previously beaten their conference rivals 91-80 during a regular-season meeting in February.
However, they were unable to replicate that success despite a 20-point performance from standout forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
Aday Mara also fought hard for the losing side, tallying 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
The historic triumph serves as sweet revenge for the newly crowned champions, having previously lost to their opponents in the 1998 and 2018 finals.