March Madness hasn't been kind to Purdue in recent seasons
Recent seasons haven't been kind to Purdue basketball in the NCAA Tournament.
The Boilermakers have lost to double-digit seeds the past three years, including last year, when they became the second No. 1 regional seed in tournament history to lose to a No. 16 seed.
∎ Purdue lost to Fairleigh Dickinson 63-58 as Zach Edey had 21 points and 15 rebounds but didn't get a shot in the closing 9+ minutes. The Boilermakers led 47-41 after an 11-0 run but couldn't shake FDU.
Crazy numbers: 10 unbelievable numbers from Purdue's loss to FDU
∎ As a No. 3 seed in 2022, Purdue made the Sweet Sixteen, beating Yale (78-56) and Texas (81-71). However, No. 15 seed St. Peter's beat the Boilers 67-64.
∎ Purdue was a No. 4 seed in 2021, losing to No. 13 North Texas 78-69 in overtime.
The Boilers are the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region (and third overall), and will play the winner of the play-in game between Montana State and Grambling State on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Several analysts believe Purdue has the easiest road of the No. 1 seeds (Connecticut, Houston and North Carolina are the others).
Purdue's best shot at a Final Four in recent years came in 2019, when it took eventual national champion Virginia to overtime in an Elite Eight matchup. The previous year, Virginia became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 in tournament history, falling to Maryland-Baltimore County. That could give Boilers fans some solace.
Welcome to Indy: These teams will be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for NCAA tournament first, second rounds
Has Purdue ever won the NCAA tournament, March Madness?
No. The Boilermakers lost to UCLA in the 1969 championship game. Purdue also lost to UCLA in a 1980 national semifinal. Those are Purdue's two Final Four trips.
Has Purdue ever been a No. 1 seed?
This year is the fifth time the Boilermakers have earned a No. 1 regional seed.
∎ 2023: Lost to Fairleigh Dickinson 63-58 in the first round
∎ 1996: Beat Western Carolina 73-71 in the first round; lost to Georgia 76-69 in the second round.
∎ 1994: Beat Central Florida 98-67 in the first round; beat Alabama 83-73 in the second round; beat Kansas 83-78 in the Sweet Sixteen; lost to Duke 69-60 in the Elite Eight.
∎ 1988: Beat Fairleigh Dickinson 94-79 in the first round; beat Memphis 100-73 in the second round; lost to Kansas State 73-70 in the Sweet Sixteen.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue has lost to a double-digit seed in 3 straight NCAA Tournaments
