INDIANAPOLIS – Purdue is the number one seed in the East Region and will take on the winner of the Texas Southern/Fairleigh Dickinson First Four game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio on Friday night.

“No matter where we play, who we play, it’s about us,” said junior forward Mason Gillis. “We need to take care of what we need to do. Everybody needs to do their job. Usually whenever we do that on a consistent basis, we win.”

The Boilermakers have a potential tough matchup in the second round with the winner of Memphis (AAC Tournament champs) and Florida Atlantic (C-USA Tournament champs).

“We don’t automatically land in the Sweet 16,” head coach Matt Painter said. “We have to win our first game, then you have to move to your second game. Some styles can be different. It’s still your team and you have to play to your strengths.”

The Boilermakers bolstered their resume with a 67-65 win over Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament championship game on Sunday. The tournament title is their first since 2009.

The number one seed is the fourth in program history and first since 1996. The Boilers are looking to make their first Final Four since 1980.

“It’s great,” said junior center Zach Edey. “I think this is [coach] Paint’s first one seed, so it’s an honor to be a part of that. It’s great. He’s one of the best coaches in the country. He’s deserves it.”