Other programs could make aggressive overtures toward Purdue stars Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, while Matt Painter is already active in portal.

Purdue labored through 2024, finishing with a lowly 1-11 record, making them one of the worst teams in the country. Head coach Ryan Walters was unsurprisingly fired, with Barry Odom coming in to replace him, and he made it clear right off the bat that he will hold his team to a high level of expectations.

Purdue University's mascot, the Boilermakers, originated from a newspaper taunt in 1891 after a football victory against Wabash College. The nickname "Boilermakers" was intended to be an insult, referencing Purdue's focus on engineering and agriculture, seen as working-class professions at the time.

Former Purdue forward Mason Gillis is heading back to the Final Four, this time with Duke. The Blue Devils defeated Alabama in the Elite Eight Saturday night.

In 1891, according to the Purdue University website: "Under accusations of recruiting athletes from boiler shops, the 'Boilermakers' name is adopted for Purdue’s athletic teams. An 85,000-pound Schenectady No. 1 Locomotive engine is purchased."

Despite leading 31-29 at the half, fourth-seeded Purdue was unable to knock off the no. 1 seed in the Midwest region as Houston bested the Boilermakers 62-60 on Friday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis with the Cougars advancing to the Elite Eight.

Purdue's 'Boilermakers' nickname was the butt of a joke that went viral during 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' this week, prompting several responses.

Eight Huskers notched a hit as the No. 20 Nebraska softball team defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 13-1 in five innings on Saturday at Bowlin Stadium.