In a comical halftime exchange during Saturday's Final Four matchup between Purdue and North Carolina State, Charles Barkley found himself in a bit of a mix-up when discussing Braden Smith's performance in the game. The confusion shed light on Purdue's first half struggles, despite holding a 35-29 lead over the Wolfpack.

During the halftime show, former Villanova coach Jay Wright pointed out Smith's poor performance in the first half but remained optimistic that he would bounce back. Barkley jumped in, believing that a three-pointer Smith had made towards the end of the half would ignite his game. However, host Ernie Johnson quickly corrected Barkley, revealing that the three-pointer had actually been made by Fletcher Loyer, not Smith.

As Johnson went on to cite Smith's first-half stats, stating that he was 0-for-6 with 5 turnovers, Barkley insisted on discussing a couple of plays before the mistaken three-pointer. It was then that Johnson unequivocally stated that Braden Smith had not scored at all in the first half.

Realizing his error, Barkley swiftly apologized, acknowledging his confusion in attributing the three-pointer to Smith. The humorous mishap served as a moment of levity during the halftime show, leaving the panel and viewers amused.

While the banter between Barkley and Johnson provided entertainment, it also highlighted Purdue's difficulties in the first half. With one of their key scorers struggling, the Boilermakers were fortunate to have a lead over the Wolfpack. Smith's scoreless first half, combined with his 5 turnovers, undoubtedly posed a challenge for Purdue's offense.

As the halftime show transitioned to discussing the second semifinal between Alabama and UConn, the focus shifted away from Purdue's struggles. However, the incident left an indelible mark on the broadcast, solidifying Barkley's reputation for his humorous on-air mishaps.

With the second half yet to unfold, Purdue will be hoping for a reinvigorated performance from Braden Smith, one that matches his reputation as the team's second-leading scorer. As the Final Four action continues, fans will eagerly await the outcome of this highly anticipated matchup between Purdue and North Carolina State.