Purdue has become famous for their shortcomings in March Madness over the last few seasons. Despite their run to the Final Four last year and to the Sweet 16 in 2022, the team is commonly portrayed as an underperformer in the NCAA Tournament.
That is because, in 2023, the Boilermakers fell to a No. 16 seed, Farleigh Dickinson, in the first round. They also lost to North Texas, a No. 13 seed, in the first round of the 2021 Tournament, so history has suggested that every other year they are prone to being upset.
However, the No. 4 seed Purdue Boilermakers took down No. 13 seed High Point University on the first day of March Madness on Thursday, putting the notion to rest that head coach Matt Painter and his team would falter in the Round of 64.
Boilermaker fans rejoiced on social media after the victory, with one fan account praising the team for their well-rounded performance against a stingy High Point Panthers team that wouldn't go away.
Great Team effort all around. High Point tested Purdue both ends and The Boilermakers had answers all the way. Onto the Round of 32.
— Mitten Boilermaker (@Purduefan19) March 20, 2025
Other fans took a moment to reflect on the past few years and recognize how special it is simply to be a part of the Big Dance and what it means to earn a victory, no matter who it is against or what it looks like.
After what I’ve seen I will never take winning a tournament game for granted. Not pretty but a great win by Purdue. We move forward #BoilerUp
— Scotty Luntz (@Scobobo) March 20, 2025
Some fans took a victory lap around Seth Davis, who has developed a reputation as a doubter of the Purdue Boilermakers. Several fans were quick to point out that he was wrong after choosing High Point to upset Purdue in the first round.
No, Seth, not High Point
— Brian Williams (@GrowingBigStuff) March 20, 2025
Purdue https://t.co/GY27AuNKwJ
@SethDavisHoops You’re dislike for Purdue failed again. 😂
— Bill K (@RunnerBill) March 20, 2025
Even some Indiana fans joined in on congratulating the Boilermakers after their first round victory, even if it was a bit facetious.
Good luck to you guys moving forward in the tournament. Can't say I ever root for Purdue, but it's nice to see the Big Ten succeed.
— Assembly Call (⚪,🔴) (@AssemblyCall) March 20, 2025
Purdue will now await the result of the Clemson vs McNeese State game to find out its second-round opponent, and maybe, root for a first-round upset to work out in its favor.