Purdue's men's basketball team dominates as they defeat UCLA in the final battle for the Big Ten title!

Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins center Steven Jamerson II (24) defends Purdue Boilermakers center Oscar Cluff (45) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images After two wins in two days it was back to the United Center for Purdue fans and the Boilermakers themselves as they faced a UCLA team that would be with Tyler Bilodeau who gave Purdue so much trouble when the two teams met earlier this season. If you were in attendance or watching at home you know that Wisconsin and Michigan put on quite a show in the first game.

Could the second game of the day live up to that hype? John Wooden Memorial Player of the Game (JWMPOTG): Oscar Cluff wins this one going away. He scored 10 points down the stretch for the Boilermakers and was everywhere that Purdue needed him to be.

Every loose ball, every rebound, every opportunity that Purdue had down the stretch could be traced back to Oscar Cluff. He finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds. In yesterday’s game against the Cornhuskers Purdue got off to a lightning fast start with a 13-3 lead.

Well, in this one Purdue jumped out to an even better 15-2 start off some hot shooting from Cox and Loyer plus some great dealing from who else but Braden Smith. Smith notched three assists in the first 3:28 and it looked like maybe Purdue would cruise to an overwhelming victory. But, we’re Purdue fans aren’t we?