It's hard to stop a train with this much momentum.The first half was sloppy...kinda ugly, actually. A pal of mine who roots for aOSU, but didn't go there, texted me about the lack of beauty of the first half...but as I told him, I was A-OK with it. That said, every Purdue fan knew where Purdue stood after the first 20 minutes at Mackey...but this 13-point lead felt a bit different. First, it didn't take a bonkers half by Hummel to give Purdue the lead and multiple guys were getting involved.
Case in point: KG. You beautiful beast...where have you been this season?
No matter where he's been, he was ready to play this evening and ended the contest with 13 points and a couple assists. A few of his shots were huge...in particular, his four-point play was massive. Both he and 3'Twaun were impressive in the win. And speaking of Smooge, how about this line- 15pts, 6reb, 5ast, 1stl. Even with aOSU making a concerted effort to deny him and in spite of the fact that the Bucknut players all had length on him, he still got the job done.
You can't really say the same for the Ostrich. Not only did he not show up on the scorer's book (4pts, 4reb, 4 fouls), but he simply didn't shoot. He only attempted 3 shots; made one. The really odd thing was that, especially in the second half, it seemed like the Buckeye zone lent itself nicely to the curl that Hummel seems to run so well...but he seemed to stand in place without the ball...very un-Robbie-like. Not sure if he was sick...but he played like it. Even though he sat for large chunks of the game due to foul trouble, he didn't seem to have his legs under him late in the contest. All that means to me, is the law of averages aren't in the Illini's favor on Saturday.
As badly as JJ played versus aOSU at Mackey back in January, he played that well tonight. 24pts, 7reb, 3ast...maybe just as important, Dallas Lauderdale only had 3 and 3. Johnson used his quickness, perimeter-shooting ability and simple want-to to make things happen. As J and I have said for about three years- when this guy wants to be great, he simply is.
But, so was Evan Turner. The problem was, no one else on his team was ET led his team in points (29), rebounds (7), assists (5), and almost led in steals (2). Sure, he had a bit of help from Ted Valentine and co. as he received the porcelain doll treatment. I know he hurt his back early in the season, but gentlemen, he's all better now. Both KG and LewJack were called for the phantom...and impossible, mind you...two hand, straight up reach-in fouls during Turner drives. No matter. Evan lost.
But, the game was close in the end...way too close in fact. And after Kramer missed the front-end
of a one-and-one, and Smooge missed a layup, aOSU had a chance to tie it with :15 on the clock. Instead of running a play to get Diebler an clean look at a three, Buford drove...and Kramer made up for his missed FT with a massive rejection. aOSU quickly gathered it around 22 feet away from the hoop with :05 left...and seemed to have no sense of urgency. A few seconds later, Diebler's desperation three came and hit off the back iron.Good guys win: 60-57
Now, I know Evan Turner is a sexy mutha and EsPN wants to talk about how aOSU is the best team in the BT, but let's get one thing clear: One man does not a team make. And without contributions from Diebler, Buford and Lighty, the Buckeyes will be in a ton of trouble as they enter the field of 64(5). I'm hoping they figure it out after they lose to Purdue one more time in Indianapolis.
Next up, The Paint Crew welcomes its pals and classmates back home as Bruce and the Illini come calling. Anybody else extremely-excited about the game?
Road Warriors
This is Purdue's first win at Value City Arena. Now, the Juniors and Seniors have won at every arena in the league.
Is there anyone else here that has some trepidation about the Minny game in Minneapolis? This one just gives me a lousy feeling.
Circling the drain
Northwestern continues to do what it does as they lost to another cellar-dweller in the BT earlier this evening. What looked like an nearly-guaranteed ticket to NU's first Big Dance, just a few weeks ago, is slowly slipping out of the Purple's hands.
24 comments:
Great win for the good guys. Showed composure at all times. Now lets take care of business at home. KG - welcome back! What a way for the senior to show up on perhaps one of the biggest games of the season.
One question, does Matta usually not play the bench at all (check the box score 4/5 starters played every minute of the game).. After our defense absolutely harassed them in the first half, I figured we'd be seeing lots of substitutions. The Bucks were tired at the end of the game and it showed. They had quite a long stretch in the 2nd half where they missed shot after shot. I'm not sure how many because I was watching recorded and hit the advance 30s button a bunch of times to see the boilers advancing the ball and the score unchanged.
I don't think so. I believe they went 8 deep v. Purdue at Mackey.
They have been only going 6 or so deep as of late. I was not surprised by the lack of bench player PT tonight.
Good point there about Mr Spearmint (thad) not rotating players much. They did look a little worn/frustrated down the stretch.
What a homer job by the zebras tonight. Did anyone agree with the foul called on JJ when he got drilled by ET (and then ET got the continuation!)? Could there be an argument that ET was in the air when JJ got set? I sincerely think it was an awful call, but maybe I didn't see it. Also, perhaps a bad call in the end on Robbie (his fourth) but he's too smart to even be attempting that. ET gets my vote for POY, but he is also one of the most protected players in the country (and recent history?).
No matter, proud of the guys for their poise. BTGDMFU
Crude Ben shows up again. I use the fact that it is late night as my disclaimer.
So...we at 4 minutes left to go in the first half I think we had held them to 14 points...and they end up with 23 at the half?
We put together a second half that allows 34 points? I know OSU is talented...but I constantly feel like this team lacks that knock out punch...despite how many victories over top 10 teams?
LJ gave me manwood with his intensity and defensive tone today. ET is going to get his, no matter who guards him...but to give up more than a foot to a guy as fast as Turner is...and LJ was in great defensive position most every time I can remember...it was fun to watch.
I too thought RH looked under the weather, not just because of his lack of production but his face looked pale and he looked gassed. When he came to the bench at that first tv time out he looked as if he'd been running suicides for half an hour. Dude looked spent...was working hard, but labored to make a meaningful contribution...offensively, defensively and on the glass at important times.
I'm thrilled with this V...at this point I'm sold...
Matt Painter should have Morgan Burke by the gonads and write his own 10 year contract with them.
I thought the problem with Rob was that he just out of sync with the offense. He's not used to coming off the bench like that.. Idk just a thought.
Ben, while I do agree with you that Purdue doesn't have that knockout punch and tends to go on scoring droughts.. you just have to know that good teams are going to make a run. MSU made a run, OSU made a run, what we learned from both of these games is that we held on to win. That is what makes us an elite team.
Matty has the team playing the best basketball of the season, showing extreme composure under stress and really just looking comfortable out there. This bodes well for our Tourney run...
gutty performance, Boilers wanted it a little more, we won the hustle plays overall.
Don't know what Thad's master plan is, go into BT and NCAA tourney with a worn down team and Turner. You cannot play 4 guys 40 minutes repeatedly. With 9:44 to go the game is 48-46 and Turner is scoring or dishing at will. then OSU misses FIVE 3's, misses a deuce and hits a deuce in their next 7 attempts. They settled for a 3 attempt because they were tired. Poor decisons and taking the easy way cost them the momentum they had built.
Also Turner had 26 points with 6:10 to go, so 26 in first 34 min and then 3 the last 6 min. Had to bring the ball up court vs pressure, then penetrate for shot or assist, it caught uo to him in the end.
I thought for sure he was gonna sit when he picked up his 4th.. guess Thad really, really doesn't trust his bench.
There were only a few good team plays by OSU in that game.. and looking at the stats it shows.. Purdue had 18ast for the game.. OSU had 6.. Matta really doesn't know what he has.. ET is a great player and he will do well in the NBA but even in the NBA they have support players.
This was my favorite win of the season. After listening to Columbus, OH ESPN radio all week long putting the BigTen and NCAA championship crown on the Bucknuts (typical OSU fashion as the world revolves around Columbus, OH) this just feels good. I don't care what kind of win it was, it was a win. This team is deep and prepared to go deep come tourney time.
Feels good knowing the boilers broke the hearts of Bucknut nation with W's on the grass and hardwood at the best times possible.
BTFU
7+ hours in the car for a 2 hour game seems a bit ridiculous, but it was totally worth it for last night. The atmosphere there is just not as good as in the old arenas. It's big, doesn't get as loud, and empty seats scatter the arena. As we were in the last possible row, we considered moving down at the half but didn't want to screw up the mojo we had going.
The guys to our right were some of the most annoying fans ever. Wouldn't shut up and just would yell out names of the players like every time they caught the ball. Diebler missed that last shot and I looked over and they were halfway down the steps. Those things make winning road games awesome. Just seeing the thousands of depressed faces. It was sweet.
On an actual note about the game, the protective forcefield around ET is a little ridiculous. I haven't watched the replay on my DVR yet, but saw the SportsCenter highlights. The foul they called on LewJack when he was like leaning backwards with his hands straight up as ET shot a runner was awful. I'll have to watch the tape for a better idea, but so many calls seemed pretty phantom.
Anyway, great game for the boys. I'm sure they can taste the BT title now. As long as Matty keeps them focused on the game at hand it should be theirs in a couple weeks. Great win and BTFU!
Great games by JJ and KG.
Did you see Evan Turner standing BEHIND the play asking for the ball with 4 seconds left? He is so selfish. If he played football, he is the kind of player that would look for a lateral instead of making the last block to allow a TD.
Those calls in the 2nd half were ridiculous with Purdue getting calls for blocks and also when Purdue was getting hacked at the basket and no calls.
How much are we going to miss Kramer next year? A LOT! His stats never look like much, but watching him will himself down there to save the game was something I am going to miss in the future.
I think I can do Matta's job......Ok boys, you five play all 40 minutes. Just give the ball to Evan and watch him. Ok, go play!
First, that was Awesomeness!
Second, welcome back KG! We missed you!
Finally, I'm curious if anyone heard the comment that Jim Jackson made regarding defense. He said that a team's defense defines the intensity level of the game.
Could this explain why JJ almost always loses the tip-off? I was thinking that maybe it was in fact strategery by Matty to start on D to set the pace for the game.
I'm doubting Matty tells JJ to lose the tip-off. Painter always talks about the extra possessions you can get from winning the rebounding/turnover battles. The tip-off can lead to one extra possession for a team, and in a game like last nights, that is what it can come down to.
Matt -- I'm sure Matta has told everyone that the ball goes through ET, so yeah, he was calling for the ball, but for a last shot of the game, it probably should be your best player. Plus they needed a three so where else should he have gone?
I still think their big mistake was driving for a layup with under ten seconds left. Even if Kramer doesn't make that swat, whoop-dee-do, now you're STILL down 1 with, what, 5-7 seconds left?
Great win for the Boilers. One step closer to the first Big Ten title since 1996.
Boilerdowd and J Money, what are your thoughts on the possibility of Purdue having a #1 seed come tournament time? If we win out including the Big Ten Tournament, do you think we are there? Do we need to see UK, Cuse, or Nova loss a couple games?
Right now we have the last #1 seed, no doubt. There's way too many games left to project what will happen, since it hinges a lot on how Nova and Cuse do as well.
Last year PJ Hill started in place for Lighty and had 469 minutes playing LJ style ball. This year he has only played 300ish minutes most being in the begining of the year and when ET was out. In Big Ten play he has seen limited minutes.
Purdue again is #5 on most bracketologist S-curve. Its careful to note that Villa and Cuses will face each other soon and will likely see each other in Big East Tourney. Simply put, if Purdue wins out...#1 seed being 3rd on the curve most likely behind Kansas, and KY unless they lose as well. I like to fantasize a Illinois style romp through the NCAA with Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Indy but with Kansas higher in the curve it will likely be Milwaukee, SLC, Indy.
I think for Purdue to get a #1, they can't afford any more than one loss- season or BT tourney...but there's still a ton of basketball to be played.
If they win out and lose the championship of the BT tourney, they're a number 1 seed, no doubt.
But, Minny bothers me...I'm sure they remember losing by 19 at Mackey.
I would actually prefer a 2 seed. Less pressure....more under the radar.
A little piece from Pat Forde's observations from the game on ESPN.com.
"A late-arriving, lackadaisical crowd hasn’t helped Ohio State create much homecourt atmosphere or generated any significant animosity toward the Boilers. The vibe at Purdue home games is roughly 400 times more boisterous."
I'm glad that we Purdue fans put our heart and soul into every game and every sport. I'm also glad a couple people at ESPN are finally starting to take notice of our accomplishments.
Yeah, I saw Forde's blog as well ... not just the comment on the crowd vs. Mackey's crowd, but the observation about the quality first-half performances Purdue has posted in the last two road games (at MSU and last night). At least the non-TV guys are watching the Boilers.
Also, Forde has a feature article in the men's basketball section on the Big Three. If Jay Bilas finds out it's not about an ACC team, he's going to be angry.
kenpom shows OSU as giving 20.2% of their minutes to the bench, 339th in D-I. (That's waaaay down there.) You have to wonder if they really go eight deep, though ... if half the "plays" are going to be Evan Turner coast-to-coast, why not change around the audience a bit? It's not like Matta was using a short bench at Butler.
Purdue's RPI is surprisingly low at this point. Wins in the next three games will help, but IU and Penn State will drop the SOS some more, and if Purdue does get the #1 seed, that would mean another low-RPI team in the quarters. They can't afford a bad loss at this point if a #1 seed in the NCAAs is the goal, and I'm not even sure they can afford a good loss.
That feature article by Pat Forde is pretty good. I will always remember how exciting that summer was in 2006 when those committments kept rolling in.
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