No, not that John HartWhat, you expected some pun about the team playing with "Hart"? Too easy.
Purdue shot its free throws well down the stretch, played better defense and JJ actually suited up this evening in Champaign...and those three factors, along with a couple other changes got Purdue off of the snide, finally.
The game started out odd as Chris Kramer had his first non-injury-related benching to start a game since his Frosh year. And it looked, at least early that Painter's move might work. Barlow started strong, Johnson got involved...but then everyone seemingly got comfortable and Purdue slipped into lethargy, sweet, pasta-induced catatonic play. The hostile Illinois crowd enjoyed watching a hobbled Kramer struggle, Purdue's defense play slowly and its stars do little...and about mid-way through the first half, it seemed like the problems from the last three games were firmly-entrenched in the team.
Then, something funny happened.John Hart came in and played with a bunch of the normal starters. His effort and defensive quickness was heartening, but I didn't think we'd see a bucket from 32...but we did! Yay!!
But he wasn't in the scorer's book. Booo!
Seriously, what in the hell was that about? After Hart's spark, Illinois got a couple free throws and a possession because of a bone-headed assistant coaching move. But this bizarre technical foul essentially acted as a wake up call at the end of the first half.
I had been asking, no pleading for Coach Painter to light a fire under the players to knock the cobwebs loose...but this was brilliance. The old, don't sign a guy into the book routine always awakens the sleeping giants.
And in the second half, we saw a guy who barely-looked schollie-worthy at times in mop-up duty this season go absolutely ape-crap. He drove with authority, rebounded, passed smartly, moved well without the ball and hit a deep three in the corner. Steve Lavin called him a guy that would become a regular in the rotation...I'm not sure if I buy that yet...but, you can bet your sweet, sweet ass I'd at minimum make sure he's signed into every game from here out.
Hart finished with 14 points in just 18 minutes of action. I'm positive everyone in the nation was surprised, including John...except maybe his parents. I'm sure they had faith that he could do it all along. I know for a fact though, Hart has been a topic of discussion amongst the braintrust over on KHC...even die hard Purdue fans had been doubting Matty's decision to give #32 a schollie. Now, please be quiet...I don't believe he'll become a staple in the Purdue line-up, but I'd bet he'll become a Paint Crew favorite from now on.
Check this out- we were all upset at the lack of production outside of the Ostrich and Smooge. This game was waaaay different- 5 players finished in double digits...Moore continued to chug along, Hummel led by putting the game on ice...and JJ exploded (quietly) for 24 & 12. And KG, in spite of not shooting well, grabbed 7 rebounds.
This game was important for a lot of reasons...sure, the defense allowed too many points, but just reminding the players they could still win was an important first step on what simply must be a new streak (in order for the team to have a fighting chance at a decent seed). Plus, perhaps Painter learned that if he gets after the team, they'll actually respond. He was extremely animated from the get-go in this one, and it seemed to have paid off. His fellows scored more points than they had since December 9th, won the rebounding battle and had a few minutes in which they were in a very good rhythm on both sides of the ball.
Good guys win 84-78...and maybe as Kramer nurses his ankle back to health, it's going to take big numbers to win the next few games. The really good news is Purdue is at home for the next three before heading to Ass. Hall.
If Purdue can win out in January and play like Keady's teams used to (in the 90s) in February, anything's possible. Next up, Manny Harris' elbow and Michigan.
22 comments:
Road win + quality opponent = SWEET!
This kind of effort makes me glad to be wrong about my 8-10 conference record prediction.
If JJ abuses Gibson the way he did Tisdale, chalk up victory 16.
BTW, Yahoo sports had an awesome picutre of Hummel on the NCAA Basketball site after the game.
If we didn't go on a 3 game losing streak John Hart never gets in.
Who knows? We might be glad we went on a skid when he hits a big shot off the bench down the stretch.
BTFU! Let's take care of bizness at home!
I'm mixed if Kelsey Barlow was a underrated hero in this game. He drew up 12 points (5 of 6) in 13 minutes of play but had 2 TO and 4 fouls.
Unfortunately I couldn't catch this game.
we played like crap the first half, but it appears that finally a Painter half-time speech woke our boys up. Props to John Hart, we needed someone to step up. We had some wide open looks in the first half that we need to knock down. Byrd had a practice shot, 4 seconds to shoot and think about it.. and he missed it.
Overall very impressed with the team, I knew going into this game that would learn a lot about our team tonight, and we did.
Barlow played very well for stretches tonight- especially on offense...really asserted himself. But, his defense wasn't so great.
Painter said in post-game comments that Hart had a death in his family and missed the Northwestern game.
Odds are Hart wasn't in the book against NU and whoever is in charge of filling out the book just copied that Hart-less page for Illinois.
Take care of the little stuff and the big stuff takes care of itself. Sound familiar, Purdue basketball?
Hey Michael,
Good call on Purdue missing the tournament. You can't jump back on the bandwagon, there is no room for you.
Such a solid show put on by Hart and Barlow. I couldn't be happier for Hart, a guy who has been called a "waste of a spot" on the Purdue bench. I'm very very anxious to see how these guys perform in the next game, could Hart finally see some solid minutes/game? I think so.
I come to Boiled Sports for the hard hitting journalism. "...go absolutely ape-crap." That is the type of writting that puts this site head and shoulders above the rest. That bum over at Hammer and Rails could learn a thing or two from you guys.
There were way too many 3-point shots falling towards the end of the game for the Illini. We still got the win, which is all that matters.
Plang,
Agreed that the 3's at the end were ridiculous. However, the defense was good. Some of those were prayers that got answered. Makes you wonder why their free throw shooting was horrible.
What impressed me most about Hart was his confidence level once he stepped on the floor. When he started that drive towards the basket for that banking runner in the first half (right before the technical) I yelled, "What are you doing?" at my TV screen. Then the ball went in. I still had my doubts but the kid continued to make great plays. Pump-faking threes, to get his guy in the air then nailing an 18 footer. Running hard on the break for a layup. He seemed like he had been doing it all year. The only time he looked shaky was when trying to ice the game at the end on the free throw line.
Every time Ryne Smith catches the ball he looks scared unless he is wide open (and then he misses). It's head fake, look around, throw it back to Rob almost near halfcourt. Hart refused to be that liability and instead make the decision to play harder than anyone else and be aggressive. He played better in this one game than Smith has in any game since November.
I think until proven otherwise, he should, well really deserves to, come off the bench before Smith. I could honestly deal with Rob, Smooge, JJ, Barlow, Kramer starting with KG and Hart the first guys off the bench. And Hart can at least hit threes which KG and Smith have forgotten how to do. We'll see what happens Saturday, but I'm guessing he'll get 15+ minutes. BTFU!
I'm tossing Byrd into the shed with Ryne, still haven't figured out what he does well and what value he has. How was he a 4 star recruit. Not a bad bench guy, that is all. But I'd rather see him out there than Ryne. But it all starts with the fire in JJ's belly. Play hard and play smart. And DON'T tip friggin' boards to yourself, GRAB THEM. My co-worker (UofI alum) said he's like a machine, yeah machine with an off switch. He may never learn actual post moves, but that's his NBA coach's problem. He can do what he did last night and be a force. It would be nice if he we're more complete and stronger, but focus on what we have power over. If her sticks around have him spend the summer with Carl to learn to be a post player. That guy does more with 6'7 than JJ does with 6'11.
Basically to win we 2 of the big 3 playing well, and 1 other guy to step up. Smooge+Robbie alone isn't enough.
In my world I'd stay with Barlow starting, off the bench KG, Wolfford/Hart/Byrd (pick one for now, unless Hart is this guy) for the guards.
Dude- Byrd is hurt. Trust me here...he's good.
I hope Hart plays in place of Ryne from now on. Until Ryne can step up and make some plays, Hart should get the time.
For the TV viewing public (those who were not able to view the preseason games, a development which was never addressed on this site at any time...), Hart's success last night may have seemed like a big surprise. I'm not that shocked. He looked very good in the preseason. Sure, if you can find the stats, he wasn't a huge force, but he made a lot of hustle plays (especially the block, if you were there you remember it) and you could see improvement game to game. I thought we would be seeing more of him than Byrd or Wohlford this year, maybe this game is the catalyst to make it happen.
For the TV viewing public (those who were not able to view the preseason games, a development which was never addressed on this site at any time...)
I'm sensing sarcasm.
Or, at least, I better be...
I wish we would have thought about addressing that issue too.
http://www.boiledsports.com/2009/11/paradise-jam-tv-info-remains-vague-at.html
http://www.boiledsports.com/2009/11/slam-dunk.html
Plus, I went to a pre-conference game...and I wasn't impressed with Hart. He looked pretty lost, in fact. Could be because he was playing with Day and other walk-ons...regardless, I'm glad he showed v. the Chief.
Bob Knight is coming to Mackey Saturday.
Good sarcasm detector J Money.
boilerdowd, are you talking about the first game against Cal Penn? I remember him playing for a long time in that game, but I don't remember him doing anything but getting a few fouls and maybe a rebound or two. I'd just like to see him come into the game at some point before the walk-on white-out.
I think we should be looking forward to Knight doing the game, even if Musburger is there with him. RMK might be entering the get-off-my-lawn phase of his television career, but at least he isn't as full of crap as just about all the other color commentators ... and the great thing about his current relationship with IU is that he'll probably go out of his way to (deservedly) praise Painter and Purdue when they win.
when. not if. Ohio State was one thing, but this has to be a win.
Knight calls it like he sees it, he isn't afraid of offending anyone. That's why I like him.
Knight should have become a color commentator about 10 years ago. I would love to see a game in which Knight and Dickie V. do a game together, for no other reason than Knight would probably start beating the crap out of DV by halftime, especially if it were a Duke game.
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