Purdue's season now rides on every game from here on out, the stakes having been raised by the surprising success the Boilermakers enjoyed this season.

For Purdue to stave off its season's final buzzer for as long as possible, it'll want to be its sharpest during its games in Indianapolis from here on out.

For that to happen, here are five important big-picture keys to success beyond the obvious like making shots, not turning the ball over and not getting COVID.

Matt Painter says his team's endured periodic breakdowns in its communication on defense all season, probably more than the casual observer might realize. Such is life when half your team hadn't played a college basketball game prior to November.

But for Purdue to endure so many of them against Ohio State — at this time of year — was troubling and a red flag heading into single-elimination mode.