The draw is now set for the Purdue basketball team.
Purdue will open the NCAA Tournament as the top seed in the Midwest against 16th seed Grambling State Friday at 7:25 p.m. in Indianapolis. Grambling State knocked off Montana State, 88-81 in overtime Wednesday in the NCAA First Four at the University of Dayton. The win was the first ever for Grambling State in the NCAA Tournament.
Grambling State had to come from behind, as the Tigers found themselves trailing by 14 points in the second half. Leading the way for Grambling State was Jimel Cofer, who scored 19 points, while both Antwan Burnett and Jourdan Smith added 18 each. The Tigers shot a solid 40 percent from behind the arc and turned Montana State over 12 times for 23 points. In addition, Grambling State outrebounded Montana State, 41-27.
Cofer proved to be too much for the Bobcats to overcome. Trailing 72-70 with 32 seconds left in regulation, Cofer hit a basket to send the game into overtime. In overtime, Grambling State never trailed, racing out to an 8-0 run to put the game out of reach.
“To play in the NCAA Tournament and get a first round win is amazing. It is major exposure for our program and let’s our guys know when they could’ve gone to all these big schools, they chose right by coming to Grambling. I am happy for them and proud of them. Our program is built on adversity,” Grambling State coach Donte’ Jackson said after the game.
Grambling State ready to take on Purdue basketball
Purdue basketball enters the NCAA Tournament as a number one seed for the second consecutive season.
Jackson was asked his thoughts on Purdue in the post game press conference and Grambling State’s coach said
“My first thought process is Coach Painter is one of the best in the country. First and foremost. They are going to be ready to play. I am sure Coach Painter had them ready to play. My thought process on trying to beat them is I need to watch more film and try to devise a plan and figure out what to do. They aren’t the number one seed for nothing. They’ve got the best player in the country and we have to come ready to play,” Jackson said.
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