Boilermakers meet Grambling State for first-round game in Indy [Video]

INDIANAPOLIS — The excitement of March Madness is upon us at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and that’s where it will start for top-seeded Purdue, as they take on 16-seed Grambling State Friday at 7:25 p.m.

There’s a new energy around this Purdue basketball team, with all their goals still out in front of them. It’s a focused group.

As Matt Painter said last week, this isn’t Six Flags the amusement park. They’re here for one reason and one reason only — survive and advance, looking for this program’s first Final Four appearance since 1980.

For three straight tournaments this team has lost to a double-digit seed, including Fairleigh Dickinson one year ago, but Painter and Fletcher Loyer say this is a mature group that has gotten better and has elevated confidence.

“Looking forward to playing our first game and getting out there and competed,” Painter said. “We’ve waited a full year …