Matt Painter's NCAA Tournament record draws heavy criticism following loss to Fairleigh Dickinson
Matt Painter has consistently produced strong seasons and impressive seeding placement while leading Purdue. Unfortunately, deep success in March has not been achieved, and that troublesome narrative resurfaced once again.
On Friday, the Boilermakers suffered one of the most stunning losses in program history, getting upset by No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson. In the process, Purdue became just the second No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in the history of the NCAA Tournament.
That loss alone is bound to bring any head coach scrutiny, but it is not the first disastrous loss for Painter in March Madness. Last season, the Boilermakers lost to 15-seed Saint Peter’s (albeit in the Sweet 16), and the year before Purdue lost to 13-seed North Texas in a first-round stunner.
After 3 straight losses in the NCAA Tournament to double-digit seeds, Painter’s performance in March was on full display across social media:
Matt Painter joins Lute Olson and Tony Bennett as the only coaches to lose three times to a team seeded 13th or lower. And he did it in three straight years.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) March 18, 2023
You want to criticize Brad Underwood’s March resume? Peep Matt Painter’s.
— Dave Wischnowsky (@wischlist) March 18, 2023
2021 – L to 13-seed North Texas
2022 – L to 15-seed St. Peter’s (Sweet 16)
2023 – L to 16-seed Fairleigh DickinsonIdk what that means for Purdue under Matt Painter other than it’s… very not good.
— Paul Harvey 🔨 (@HammerHarvey) March 18, 2023
Just walked down the street and heard several people saying Matt Painter is Tony Bennett without the ring or the timeless sex appeal
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) March 18, 2023
Is Matt Painter the reason for the disrespectful Big Ten narrative? pic.twitter.com/eCVRBHdIPe
— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) March 17, 2023
Matt Painter gotta go. Lose to a 15-seed and 16-seed in consecutive years with NBA talent and national player of the year, you gotta go.
— 500 🏎 (@Kameron_Hay) March 18, 2023
You have to shut it all down if you’re Purdue and you lose this game. I don’t care how good Matt Painter is. If you lose to a 15 seed and a 16 seed in consecutive years, you can’t continue to have a basketball program.
— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) March 18, 2023
I really feel bad for Purdue fans. Such a passionate fanbase, so many good players and fun teams over the years.
One Elite Eight in 18 years under Matt Painter, no Final Fours since 1980, before Gene Keady.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 18, 2023
Matt Painter is one of the most decent people in this sport. He has a brilliant basketball mind. He runs a great program. All that said, this is awful for @BoilerBall. No way around it.
— Dana O’Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) March 18, 2023
Death. Taxes. Matt Painter losing to a mid-major from New Jersey.
— Sam Federman (@Sam_Federman) March 18, 2023
I would not fire Tony Bennett. But I would fire Matt Painter. Without hesitation. He gone
— Mitch Moss (@MitchMossRadio) March 18, 2023
Matt Painter is the worst tournament coach of all time. I’m so pissed I didn’t buy all session tickets lol
— Ryan (@SpartanRyan) March 18, 2023
matt painter losing to a 13, 15, then play-in 16 in consecutive tourneys.
— Shopping Cart Theory Sav (@B1Gsad) March 18, 2023
Matt Painter is truly one of the frauds of the college basketball coaching profession.
This was his 4th time losing to a double-digit seed as a 5 seed or better!
— Ben Brandon (@BenBrandonHoops) March 18, 2023
