The Clapper did what he does- he prepared his band of youngsters as well as possible for their game versus the seventh-ranked team in America...His tan looked fantastic, his pacing was frenetic and lasted the duration of the contest, his forehead glistening, his enthusiasm was infectious, as usual, and his Hoosiers almost earned a victory versus the much more talented, much more experienced Boilers on Thursday night...but they didn't.
Tom Pritchard out-performed JJ for a half, Verdell Jones, who seems to play very well v. Purdue, did so again, and Dumes and Hulls hit some long threes, but the best effort the Hoosiers could throw at Purdue simply wasn't enough...In the end, the Forces of Good prevailed 78-75.
The Ostrich had a solid night statistically, finishing with 21 and 7, but he looked scattered at times as he had some bad shots and poor turnovers. Smooge looked velvety-smooth at times, but never really got into a rhythm. JJ blocked shots like it was his job in the second half and made a lot of freethrows as he finished with 21 & 9, but, in my opinion, should have had more rebounds and points as he simply doesn't have an equal on IU's roster.
I was really pleased with Barlow's play, especially early in the second half as he kind of took the game over...at least for three minutes. Keaton was efficient and Kramer played ai-ight...but I would have loved to see either or both of these guys torch the Hoosiers and dance on center court like Todd Foster many moons ago.I liked a lot of what I saw from both Hart and LewJack...both inject a ton of quickness, athleticism and energy when they're in. But, I still think LewJack might start this season as he continues to get his legs under him...Perhaps the Illinois game at Mackey? I guess it depends on what happens the next few games, but I wouldn't rule it out.
I think the 10-man rotation we are now seeing might become the norm as Byrd and Smith might not see a ton of action in most games, save Iowa, from here out. While I like Byrd a lot, I like the 10 guys in front of him a bit more at this point...and Smith, unless he starts hitting every 20 footer he shoots, a la Matt Waddell, is going not going to see a ton of action, in my opinion...there are only 200 minutes available each game.
The main positive I took out of this game was the rebounding. Purdue won the rebounding battle and subsequently won the game...it's not a coincidence. And while it's a good thing to win close games, IU doesn't belong in a close game with Purdue right now. For those of you who are IU fans and have stopped by to read this- it might sound like I'm dismissive of the Hoosiers...that's because I am.
IU beat Purdue this year? That's nuts.I don't like IU. When I watch IU at Ass. Hall, I'm reminded why I don't like you guys. From the overly-demonstrative overhead clapping by you lemmings everytime Tom Pritchard's unathletic arse hits an ugly shot, to reveling in the Forehead's nervous habits, you guys grate on me. I have plenty of friends who graduated from the the school that boasts of a Folklore Department, and they're fine people...but when you congregate together in your poorly-designed arena, I lump you all together. I know some of you don't have UND T-shirts under your IU sweatshirts...but most of you do. I know some of you don't genuflect at the altar of Bobby Knight even though he's urinated in all of your direction, but most of you do.
Enough of my digression, you get my drift.
I'm already looking forward to March 3rd when Matty's boys can repay you schleps for almost beating his boys.
Next up the game that Purdue was looking through IU to get to- MSU.
15 comments:
great blog as usual i completely agree with everything you said especially your last paragraph that made my day!
21 and 9 is a good line for JJ, but it seems like he still plays lazy at times. Like when he hedges on screens and doesn't get back to Pritchard. That happened a lot in the first half. Also, he still needs to be stronger with the ball down low instead of always avoiding contact. His blocks were pretty sweet though. I am critical of JJ because, like you said, he didn't have an equal on IU's roster and is capable of so much more.
Didn't like Barlow's choking gesture. What do you think about that?
The chants the students did for Kramer and Hummel didn't seem very tasteful. Do you know what they were chanting?
One of the chants had something to do with Hummel's looks. My guess would be the throngs of homosexual IU students started that. Honestly, I don't see him as an ugly man...but I'm not an expert. They also chanted something about Kramer crying...also a good cheer as he's not tough at all.
I didn't really like Barlow's choking motion as I didn't really think IU choked the game away...and the action just made him look silly. But, I don't see it as a big deal as so many on KHC did. The idea that he should be disciplined for it seems ridiculous to me.
Taking a position in Bloomington after graduating from Purdue was a tough choice for me, and naturally, being a sports fan, I HAD to "warm up" a bit to IU because I'm going to be here for a while...but it's tough sometimes.
I was at the game in my Purdue garb, supporting my Alma mater and enjoying the close battle, when I began to hate IU all over again. Late in the game they put Gene Keady on the big screen and the hilljacks of IU erupted with hateful words and boo's....typical, classless behavior. Keep in mind, when Bob Knight came up to Purdue to announce a game we gave him a more than generous welcome, basically thanking him for spurring on the great Purdue/IU rival.
IU has the worst. fans. ever. (ok, maybe Kentucky) They're so negative on their team calling Rivers an "idiot" or harping on coach Crean... I despise their sportsmanship.
Anyways, any win at Assembly is a great win, and I can't wait until we embarrass this IU team at Mackey. Boiler up!
Does anyone else think maybe JJ has muscle/weight retaining issues like Rosie Colvin(hence he became a LB in the nfl) had back in the day? Seems like he has lost some weight as the season has gone on and maybe that is making him fatigue on the court. Hopefully I am wrong.
"I HAD to "warm up" a bit to IU...."
No you don't.
Ha - I mean, I go to a lot of the sporting events, so tolerance is helpful... it's still Big Ten basketball.
As a card-carrying member of the Kelsey Barlow fan club I was fine with the 'Reggie Choke' because it occurred while IU was busy missing three straight front-ends of 1and1's late in the game. I would consider that a little bit of a choke job, as those points could have been big.
I think it shows that Kelsey understands that this rivalry can be one of his big stages for the next three years, so he probably figured he might as well stir the pot a little.
And come on, if Reggie did it it's gotta be ok!
Great article, but I disagree about celebrating... I was happy they didn't go too far. They looked like a team that expected to win, not a team that was thankful to win. There will be many more wins for Purdue in ASSHall this decade.
E, we've wondered what a beast JJ could be, too, if only he'd put on some pounds. I'm 5'11" and I weigh the same as JJ, who is 6'10". Not ideal. (For either of us.)
Kelsey Barlow is not here to make friends with IU and neither am I.
/Barlow is now my favorite PU player outside of the juniors.
You forgot to mention that Forehead's jacket stayed on the entire game. Has that ever happened before? I thought it'd be off before the first media timeout.
Those first half woes are giving me ulcers. I don't really care if they were looking ahead to MSU, the game should not have been that close. I'll chalk it up to being a true rivalry game.
Barlow's gesture was that of a freshman. I don't think he should be punished, but the coaches would be wise to tell him to not do it again (unless thumping a top 10 team by 20 points).
I am sure the IU fan base is all screwed up now. Students don't know what a good tournament team looks like and the older folks just remember the glory days and can't understand why Crean doesn't have them there yet.
Paul, I understand your concern (and others) about the first half, but let's be honest -- that was an aberration. Giving up 47 to IU in a half? Nuts.... and not normal. Let's chalk it up to IU being as amped for a game as they've been all year and, yes, they played well. However, they also gave up 43, which on almost any other night (like the night they visit Mackey in a few weeks) would mean Purdue's up 20 at the break.
The Hoosiers scored 28 in the second half, so they came back to Earth.
I thought IU did a very good job of staying in a game that frankly they should not have been in at any point. It was kind of like the conference opener at Iowa in that Purdue played a team on the road that really shouldn't be able to match up with them, and yet it definitely happened.
I don't know how much of it is Purdue being unable to put most teams away, but it's got to be some part of it. Crean I could understand, but Lickliter? Struggling with Tennessee or Wisconsin, I can understand, but come on, this team cannot afford to be keeping bad teams around. IU was one prayer away from sending the game to overtime.
All that said, it was a big win. Psychology can play a big part in these games ... maybe it did weigh on the guys that Purdue hadn't won in Bloomington since the Boilers last had a national champion. (Oh wait, that's not right: that would have been less than a year ago.)
Anyway, squeaking past IU is still a win, but they'll have to play much better to have a shot at a Big Ten co-championship, never mind any hope of an outright title.
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