Trey Kaufman-Renn's Game Winner Sends Purdue to Elite Eight

Boilermakers forward's tip-in caps comeback victory over Texas

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:03am

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Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, including the game-winning tip-in in the final seconds, to lead the Boilermakers to a 79-77 victory over Texas and a spot in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters

Kaufman-Renn has been praised for his improved rebounding this season, and his game-winning play showcased his ability to make an impact on the glass in clutch moments. Purdue's victory keeps their Final Four hopes alive.

The details

With Purdue leading 77-74 in the final 30 seconds, Texas' Dailyn Swain scored and drew a foul to tie the game. After a Purdue timeout, senior guard Braden Smith drove for a potential game-winning shot, but his attempt missed. Kaufman-Renn was there to tip in the rebound, giving Purdue the victory.

  • Purdue led 77-74 with under 30 seconds remaining.
  • Swain tied the game at 77-77 with a free throw with 11.9 seconds left.
  • Braden Smith took the final shot for Purdue, but his attempt missed.
  • Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in the rebound as time expired to give Purdue the win.

The players

Trey Kaufman-Renn

A senior forward from Sellersburg, Indiana who scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, including the game-winning tip-in to send Purdue to the Elite Eight.

Braden Smith

Purdue's senior guard who took the final shot and finished with 16 points and 5 assists, setting up Kaufman-Renn's game-winning play.

Dailyn Swain

The Texas player who scored and drew a foul to tie the game at 77-77 in the final seconds, setting up Purdue's final possession.

Matt Painter

Purdue's head coach who has emphasized the importance of second-chance opportunities, a lesson that paid off in Kaufman-Renn's game-winning tip-in.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just excited we won the game. I was nervous, I was like, 'Man, I've gotta get back on defense now.' I didn't know how many seconds were left. It was cool. We're going to the Elite Eight.”

— Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue Forward

“You give the ball to Braden, I think he can go by any player in the country. We have plays designed for him to do that. I thought he got a good shot, and then, Coach [Painter] always says, a lot of times it's not the first shot that goes, it's the tip-ins at the end of games. He's said that throughout my four years here, so it's kinda cool to actually experience that.”

— Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue Forward

“I was under the rim, and I just saw. I was like, 'Please get in there, please get in there.' And it did. The only thing I have to do is, I have to get it up there. I can't get it blocked, so there's opportunities like that for them to get the tip-in. It left the hand and, honestly, I thought it was in. I was hopping excitedly. But it was off and Trey tipped it in perfectly.”

— Braden Smith, Purdue Guard

What’s next

Purdue will face the winner of the Michigan State vs. UCLA game in the Elite Eight, with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Trey Kaufman-Renn's game-winning tip-in showcased his growth as a rebounder this season and his ability to make clutch plays, keeping Purdue's Final Four dreams alive. The Boilermakers' balanced attack and resilience in the face of a late Texas comeback proved crucial in advancing to the Elite Eight.