Purdue Reaches Elite 8 With Midrange Mastery

Boilermakers coach credits old-school shooting skills for tournament success.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:22am

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Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter expressed surprise at his team's ability to win a game by relying on the midrange jump shot, a skill he says is becoming increasingly rare in the modern era of 3-point shooting and analytics-driven offenses.

Why it matters

Purdue's success in the NCAA tournament by emphasizing the midrange game challenges the conventional wisdom that the midrange shot is an inefficient relic. Their approach could inspire other teams to rediscover the value of this 'lost art' in basketball.

The details

Painter said his team's focus on the midrange shot, which he himself used to rely on as a player, was key to their victory over Tennessee in the Sweet 16. The Boilermakers were able to consistently hit these mid-range jumpers, a skill that has fallen out of favor in the modern game dominated by 3-pointers and layups.

  • Purdue defeated Tennessee in the Sweet 16 on March 24, 2026.
  • Purdue advanced to the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament on March 26, 2026.

The players

Matt Painter

The head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“The midrange is something I used to shoot in middle school and high school.”

— Matt Painter, Head Coach, Purdue Boilermakers

What’s next

Purdue will face the winner of the West Regional final in the Elite 8 on March 28, 2026, with a chance to advance to the Final Four.

The takeaway

Purdue's success by emphasizing the midrange jump shot, a skill that has fallen out of favor in the modern game, could inspire other teams to rediscover the value of this 'lost art' and find new ways to win in the NCAA tournament.