Purdue Survives Memphis, Faces Texas Tech in Baha Mar Final

UPDATE: Purdue has clinched a spot in the Baha Mar Championship final after defeating Memphis 80-71 in a thrilling showdown. Despite a challenging performance from star player Braden Smith, who missed 12 of 14 shots, the Boilermakers rallied late to secure the victory.

With just under seven minutes remaining, Purdue faced an unexpected three-point deficit against Memphis. However, a decisive 15-2 run propelled them to a comfortable lead that they maintained until the final buzzer. Purdue now prepares to face Texas Tech in the championship game, set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET tonight on CBS Sports Network and streaming on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App.

Purdue, currently ranked No. 2 in the CBS Sports Top 25 and 1, is a 3.5-point favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their upcoming match against Texas Tech, ranked No. 15, promises to be the highlight of the weekend. The Red Raiders secured their place in the final after a dominant performance over Wake Forest, led by JT Toppin, who scored 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.

This game will showcase two of college basketball’s standout players: Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, and Toppin, the Big 12 Player of the Year. As Smith continues his quest to become the NCAA’s all-time assist leader, he averaged 9.0 assists per game, with a notable 11 assists against Memphis. He now has 803 assists in his career, putting him just 273 assists away from breaking Bobby Hurley’s long-standing record of 1,076 assists.

The Boilermakers are determined to bring their A-game as they aim for the championship title. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Purdue can rise to the occasion against a formidable Texas Tech team. Don’t miss this critical matchup tonight as it unfolds in the Bahamas, a game that promises excitement and high stakes for college basketball enthusiasts everywhere. Share this urgent update and stay tuned for the latest developments!