March Madness 2026 Big Ten men's basketball tournament action culminates with the championship game today. Start time, how to watch Michigan-Purdue game.

EAST LANSING – Does the Big Ten Tournament championship game really matter for March Madness seeding? Some years it doesn’t seem so, but this wasn’t one of them. Purdue shook out of a late-season funk and put together a surprising run to beat Michigan in the championship on Sunday in Chicago and was rewarded with a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Purdue upset Michigan 80-72 behind big performances from senior starters Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff to win the Big Ten tournament championship Sunday, knocking off the No. 1 seed.

The Boilermakers have a tough path as a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, yes. They also proved they can be a tough out.

Purdue played some of its best, most consistent basketball over 160 minutes in four days up in Chicago, picking up three high quality wins. Beating Michigan for the championship w

Oscar Cluff scored 21 points, Trey Kaufman-Renn had 20 and No. 18 Purdue topped No. 3 Michigan 80-72 on Sunday for the Big Ten Tournament championship.

There is only one No. 41 Purdue basketball jersey, and it is Braden Smith's now. Perhaps it will become popular among Boilers fans.