INDIANAPOLIS — It was a sea of black and gold in downtown Indianapolis Friday.
Fans of the Purdue Boilermakers stood outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, ready to get inside to cheer on their team as they faced off against 16 seed Grambling State.
Fans who didn’t go to the game watched it on big screen televisions, like the ones at The Garage at Bottleworks.
Spirits were high, but so were fans' nerves.
“I feel like after last year, if we can get over this hump we should roll right through, but I’ll feel better if we get to the Sweet 16," said Damon Hawkins.
“I definitely have more confidence this year, but we’ll see. Already they’re keeping the game closer than I’d like it to be," said fan Wesley Oliver, looking at the score in the first quarter.
“I know last year didn’t go as expected, but I have hope and just hoping for a better outcome this year," said fan Marissa Vandermissen.
Fans like Vandermissen were so hopeful, they were willing to bet on an outcome before the game was over.
“I put them through to the final round on my bracket this year. I did big," Vandermissen said of her choice to have Purdue go all the way.
“This is the year for the Boilers," said Damon Hawkins. "I believe this is the year. They’re on their way, all the way. Boiler Up."
Purdue rolled past Grambling, 78-50.
On Sunday, Purdue will face the winner of Friday's Utah State-TCU game. A win would send the Boilers to Detroit for the Sweet 16.