Purdue Coach Fires Back at Miami Ohio Coach Over Scheduling Claims

Matt Painter refutes Travis Steele's accusations that high-major schools avoid mid-majors

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Purdue men's basketball coach Matt Painter strongly pushed back against claims made by Miami Ohio head coach Travis Steele about high-major schools refusing to schedule games against mid-major programs. Painter argued that Purdue has played five mid-major teams this season and said coaches who don't consider the NET rankings when scheduling are "bozos."

Why it matters

The debate over scheduling between high-major and mid-major programs is an ongoing issue in college basketball, with mid-major coaches often accusing top programs of avoiding them. Painter's comments highlight the different perspectives and priorities that coaches have when it comes to building their non-conference schedules.

The details

After Purdue's 104-71 win over Queens NC in the NCAA Tournament, Painter refuted Steele's claims that high-major schools won't play mid-majors. Painter said Purdue played five mid-major teams this season and argued that coaches who don't consider the NET rankings when scheduling are "bozos." Steele had previously called for adjustments to the NET rankings, which are used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

  • Purdue defeated Queens NC 104-71 in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on March 20, 2026.
  • Steele made his comments about scheduling and the NET rankings after Miami Ohio's loss to Tennessee in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The players

Matt Painter

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

Travis Steele

The head coach of the Miami Ohio men's basketball team.

Akron

A men's basketball team that has been one of the best in the Mid-American Conference in recent years.

Kent State

A men's basketball team that has been one of the best in the Mid-American Conference in recent years.

Toledo

A men's basketball team that has been a strong program in the Mid-American Conference and nearly won the conference tournament this year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When they say they don't play mid-majors, like, we played five mid-majors this year. But if he [Steele] were in our position, he'd do the same thing we're doing. Like, I didn't set the NET rankings; the NET rankings set themselves. But I'm going to go buy it. ... The coaches that don't look at the net rankings and get things figured out how to schedule are bozos.”

— Matt Painter, Purdue Head Coach

“I think a lot of it's analytically driven. I think there needs to be adjustments made. ... NET, specific, needs to be adjusted. I don't know when is the last time they made an adjustment to it, or if they have, but fans want to see those games.”

— Travis Steele, Miami Ohio Head Coach

“So when you're a mid-major guy and you say those things, and now you get a high-major job, you've got to be careful. You're talking with a forked tongue there.”

— Matt Painter, Purdue Head Coach

The takeaway

This debate highlights the different perspectives and priorities that high-major and mid-major college basketball coaches have when it comes to scheduling non-conference games. While mid-major coaches want more opportunities to play top programs, high-major coaches like Painter argue they need to consider factors like the NET rankings when building their schedules to maintain their tournament seeding.