The BTN Apology

As pointed out by a number of our readers, the BTN has an apology on their site, though you have to search for it. 

If you go to About Us and then Contact Us, one of the drop-down choices is about the Purdue/Western Michigan game. When you select that, you get the following mea culpa:

"We sincerely apologize for our technical difficulties during tonight's Purdue-Western Carolina game. We experienced a transmission failure that prevented us from being able to carry the Purdue game. We recognize that it is completely unacceptable and we will do everything necessary to prevent this from happening again."

I attempted to send a note regarding Hall's attitude through this, including the BS address, etc., but as another reader pointed out, it won't let you complete it. Nicely done, BTN. 

Boilers Overtake Western Carolina In Second Half As BTN Embarrasses Selves

Not a good night for the BTN. Almost as bad a night for Purdue, as the Boilers struggled through an atrocious first half, shooting only 23%, to trail by eight at the break, 29-21. I had faith the Boilers could overcome this Western Carolina team with even a moderate improvement in the second half, and I turned out to be right, as Purdue rallied to win 65-60. Not that any of us got to see it, as the BTN lost their feed midway through the first half and never got it back. This was after those first ten minutes were intermittently littered with interruptions....

...and then returns to the action. But we'll get to all that.

So glad he's back

Rob Hummel led the Boilers with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and two blocks. I don't know about you, but I think Rob is more than comfortable in his role as the number 1 option, something that more than a few people raised as a concern before the season started. He looks comfortable out there, hustling as much as he always did, being a leader by example, and always seeming to be calm and in position.

Lewis Jackson had 15 big points, including 9 of 12 from the FT line. Lew also left the game with a limp (according to reports -- I didn't see it, remember) and officially logged 24 minutes.

Kelsey Barlow had a crazy stat line (I would have loved to see this game!), with 6 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, a block, 2 turnovers....and FIVE fouls. All in 27 minutes. Weird.

DJ Byrd again played single digit minutes. Hope he's back to strength soon.

Ryne Smith had a steady 9 points, all from beyond the arc, and also added 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Jacob Lawson continues to be a guy I like, as he turned in a six point performance, along with 3 blocks in 21 minutes. Yes, he fouls a lot. Yes, he's got to work on his free throws. But the raw talent and good composure for a freshman is very fun to watch.

Purdue continues to struggle in the post, however, and this is indeed becoming a major concern. If the Boilers shoot poorly, as they did in the first half tonight and in the second half against Xavier, they are going to lose more games than any of us are comfortable with. And this nonsense at the free throw line -- Purdue missed seventeen free throws tonight -- only makes things more irritating. They have some time to work these kinks out before conference play begins, but the issues are becoming epidemic and regular. Not a good sign.

Now, since I wasn't able to see much of the action, let's get back to talking about that abomination.

What made it even more keystone cops-ish was the fact that the BTN decided that while Purdue was (kinda) worthy to put on the network, they were only really sort of worthy. So the network that generated more than $220 million in ad revenue in 2010 elected to half-ass the broadcast tonight and have Eric Collins do the play-by-play with an analyst whom I cannot remember from the studio in Chicago while watching....

...the same troublesome feed we all were being subjected to. This led to me being somewhat amused when the feed was first lost (approximately 5 seconds into the game -- no, I am not kidding), because Collins sounded a bit distressed. And why not? When you're actually at the game you're calling, you simply continue calling the action and apologize for the technical issues and do your best to describe the action.

But Collins was not there. He was, presumably, in Chicago. Which also means that we'll never see this game replayed because, well, there is no commentary. Unless the BTN elects to have the commentary track recorded and added to the footage of the game (if it exists) and then air it as a replay. But think of the level of effort involved there. They can't even bother to send their broadcast team to West Lafayette -- why would anyone expect them to do something to remedy their problems?

Isn't this one of the reasons the BTN is headquartered in Chicago? To be right in the heart of Big Ten country?

And then, Mike Hall -- after being rather cheeky and goofy during the halftime report -- takes to Twitter and derides Purdue fans as "rude" because of the notes he's seeing on there:

Hey, sorry everyone! But back off! We're working on it! You serfs should be happy with the Bo Schembechler soul-crushingly boring Icons documentary we tossed on the screen!

I gently pointed out to Michael that ripping frustrated Purdue fans is probably not the best approach right now and that being the face of the BTN has its downs to go along with its many, I am sure, perks. Oh, and also? Welcome to Twitter, Mike. Sometimes people are mean. Time to grow up and put on your big boy pants.

Let's be clear here. Purdue fans had every right to be pissed off tonight and to take out their frustrations on the multimillion dollar network that is supposed to be a professional broadcasting entity. The BTN's primary focus -- far above all else -- should be broadcasting games. Not the Icons series, not what failed coaches like Gerry DiNardo or Glen Mason think, not clever Journey commercials...but games. And they failed miserably this evening. 

The Big Ten Network should be ashamed of themselves and should make it clear that they will never let this sort of joke happen on their airwaves again. But they won't, because they really don't care. You're not going anywhere. 

(Incidentally, if you do wish to contact the nice people at the BTN, their address is 600 W. Chicago Ave, Suite 875, Chicago, IL 60610. Their phone number is 312 665 0700 and their fax number is 312 665 0740. I encourage you to express your displeasure.)

Offense Disappears as Boilers Lose PR Championship: 56-65

The last few games, the defense lacked fire, intensity and effectiveness, but the ability to score made up for those problems.  This evening, Purdue's defense got closer to what they had been the last few seasons, but the half court offense was atrocious.

The 15th-ranked Crimson Tide played tight defense that I'm sure Matty appreciated. Their defense and athleticism took away Purdue's transitional game which had helped the Boilers put big numbers recently.

In the second half versus Temple, Purdue found the ability to hit free throws again. But today, Purdue's problems at the free throw line reared their ugly head again as Purdue left 8 freebies on the floor and shot 58%.

On top of the free throw shooting woes, Smith lost his hot hand as he shot 1-5 on the day as he struggled to find space.  LewJack led the team with 8 rebounds and also had 8 points.  Barlow played a solid game finishing with 11 pts, 5 reb, 3ast and a steal.  Hummel struggled mightily to score from the floor, but finished with 17 points due to his perfect 6-6 night from the free throw line.

Jacob Lawson showed some flashes of brilliance while blocking a shot, pulling down a few rebounds and not allowing Bama's Green to bully him while battling for a jump ball in the second half. AJ had 8 points and a couple of assists and rebounds...but struggled a bit with Bama's guard speed...but so did Purdue's team, really.

As a team Purdue shot just over 23% from three, and 35.7% from the field...but the credit should go to Bama as they contested every shot.

EsPN seemed to be in love with Alabama, and that doesn't say a ton since the network already has vested interest in their conference.  But, they're a team that deserves to be in the top-20 and Purdue played them tough for about 30 minutes.  Purdue won't play a team of their caliber again until they visit X in the first week of December.  So hopefully before then, they'll be able to figure out a few things and improve as a team.

I fully expect this Purdue team to get better as the season goes along.  But, if they don't find a forward who can consistently crash the glass and can't figure out the secret to free throw shooting, their progress will be stunted.  I believe Painter said he'd re-evaluate the Hale redshirt situation after the trip to PR...I'm still rooting for Donnie to play this season as I think Purdue will struggle against athletic frontcourts with Carroll or Marcius in the game. But I'm sure the coach knows more than I about this situation.

Last thing about Bama, let's remember this team had gotten beaten by Purdue two-straight times in the last two years.  The first coming in a close game in Tuscaloosa, the second coming in a not-so-close one last year in Mackey.  They were pretty motivated to win v. our Boilers...and at this point in the season, they're just a better team.  I'd love to see Purdue get the chance to play them in March so they can compare notes again.

Next up, Western Michigan comes to Purdue on Thanksgiving Eve at 7:00.  It'll be watched by hundreds as the BTN screws Purdue, yet again, and banishes the Boilers to the interwebnets.

Methinks the BTN sucks and I miss watching early season games on WTTV.  Why have overflow channels if they're never used? Why tell us that every B1G home game will be televised when it's not?

You know how it is in November...Survive and advance.

Purdue fans soak up the pre-game atmosphere in St. Thomas

Purdue beat South Dakota State, 74-63. If I would have seen tonight's game, it might have reminded me of a few last season - Hummel got in early foul trouble and played less than 10 total minutes in the first half...and Purdue rebounded poorly. But, last season, Smooge didn't play this way too often.

I'd give you a link for EsPN's box score...but that doesn't exist. Sure, the BC and Tennessee games both received such a luxury...but they're both ranked higher than Purdue. Oh wait, they're not.

Then again, as a fan, what do we really need? TV- nah. Internet media coverage- nope. I can't wait until they put the muzzle on Cliz...it'll complete the media trifecta.

Smooge drives on a player from the sitcom University "State"

Moore finished with 22 points, 5 assists and 2 steals. Hummel and Johnson had 14 and 13 pts. respectively. Kramer had 5 assists while running the point...Smith hit a few shots off of the bench and Byrd had 6 rebounds...and Barlow played significant minutes. But, he made some Freshman mistakes in the closing minutes- silly foul, a turnover...he'll learn.

Purdue will play the upset-minded St. Joe's Hawks who beat BC by 4. On the other side of the bracket, Tennessee whipped ECU by 39 and scored 105.

After the game, Painter assured everyone that if Purdue played like they did tonight against St. Joe's, they'd lose.

This game seemed to be the type that I can remember Purdue teams losing in the past- poor free throw shooting, poor performances by multiple starters...overall sluggishness. But they didn't- that's good.

They played down to their competition- that's bad.
The really good news is they get to play in two days...this time hundreds will be able to watch as the game is on Fox College Sports in super-low definition. I actually have that because I pay an extra $7/mo, mainly for the NFL network through Comcast.

Have I told you how happy I am with the TV coverage Purdue's gotten this season?

Thanks again to all media outlets involved who have made all of this possible.

Boilermakers Exhibition Season Concludes Tonight But You Won't See It

Tonight, your seventh-ranked Boilermakers take on Kentucky Wesleyan in their second and final exhibition game, and you won't be able to watch.

Wait, no, that's not entirely true. You can still pay the Big Ten Network to watch the game streaming on your computer (it's always easy to follow a basketball on a streaming feed) OR you can wait until three days from now at 3 in the morning and you can watch on the Big Ten Network. No, I'm not kidding. It's the year 2009 and the Big Ten Network is "tape delaying" this game until -- I guess -- they were able to find an opening in their programming schedule. To show live Big Ten sports action. Yeah, I do not understand it, either. But don't tell me how it ends. I'll be getting up at 3 this Thursday morning to watch.

Actually, no, we would like to know what happens and that's why we'd like to ask for a volunteer to do what Paul did for us last week and go to the game and report back what you see. Fire an email to BoiledSports@gmail.com and if you just say something like "Purdue won" then you win a kick in the gonads.

Oh, and there's no pay for this assignment. Hey, it's an exhibition game, after all.

BTN, I'm looking at you.

And I'm not gazing lovingly, this time. I don't know if you're solely responsible, or this is a collaborative effort, but you guys screwed up last night. I've heard over and over that the BTN only has a contract that allows BT home games to be televised on their network...That was the excuse for the radio-only Ball State game. Last night, Purdue welcomed IPFW to Mackey...and the game, of course, was unavailable.

BTN Programming Directors Meeting in Early December to discuss upcoming TV scheduling

I get having aOSU on- they're highly ranked, makes sense. But IU? Come on. It's the worst IU team in 50 years and they were playing North-fricking-eastern and they get the 9:00 slot. Aren't nights like last night custom-made for the overflow channels? IU could comfortably have sat at whatever time slot they would have liked in said channel...but that wasn't the case. I'm not even going to focus on the fact that IU couldn't seem to run their offense effectively-enough to get near the basket on many possessions...or the fact that IU got railroaded by a team with losses Rhode Island, South Florida, Boston and Carleton (didn't know that was a school). All that's unimportant right now. What is important is that I got to listen to yet another game on the radio.

Yeh Rah!

Nights like tonight are precisely why I wanted the BTN. Thanks for nothing, jackholes. Big Ten Network, suck it. Sorry, I didn't want to have to do that to you, but you forced it upon yourself. It's a damned good thing for you that the conference schedule is less than a week away to bail your sorry arses out.
I can remember a time in the not-so-distant past that if a team was ranked, they'd be on TV, somewhere...ESPN Plus, or before that, Farm Bureau-sponsored local WTTV-4 telecast...now we're relegated to ESPN 360 that, due to contractural problems, can only be seen by a handful of schmoes.

Special thanks to The Clis and Co. who allowed me to stay somewhat informed during the contest...The Ostrich struggled in a classic letdown game following a world-beater performance v. Davidson...Smooge played well, but still can't find his touch from behind the arc...LewJack continues to do exactly what he needs to as he scores well-enough, distributes well, pushes the pace and rebounds extremely well for his stature...Keaton Grant got back to playing like KG of his Frosh year...Marcus Green once again gave a spark off of the bench...every player on the roster played (always a good thing).

Lastly, but most-noteworthy, JJ had another sizeable evening while shooting for a high percentage and blocking three shots. Here's the deal- JJ will dominate the bottom-feeders in the BT, but is a year away, in my opinion, from being an upper-eschelon center. All that said, this progress, especially when compared to last season, is very noteworthy and very positive.

Purdue wins by 15, I think...Granted, I don't have any visual proof, but I'm almost positive it happened.