WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.: When two early street losses threatened to derail No. 2 Purdue’s Big Ten championship journey, the Boilermakers charted a distinct course.
They dug in, drilled down and regrouped.
Now, 4 weeks later and somewhat greater than midway by way of the convention season, coach Matt Painter’s squad once more finds itself on the within observe to an everyday-season title run.
“We’re just focused on winning games,” All-American heart Zach Edey stated after Sunday’s 75-69 victory at then convention-main and No. 6 Wisconsin. (*2*)
Just win, child.
Sure, it helps having the 7-foot-4 Edey performing as nicely — or higher — this season than he did as final 12 months’s nationwide participant of the 12 months. But when a staff, equivalent to Purdue, routinely carries the largest goal, it takes greater than counting on America’s most dominant large man to excel.
The Boilermakers (21-2, 10-2 Big Ten) discovered that lesson the arduous means final season with losses to Maryland, Northwestern and Rutgers, Indiana’s season sweep and Penn State’s late rally within the league’s tourney title recreation. All of it preceded essentially the most monumental stumble of all, shedding to sixteenth-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson within the NCAA Tournament.
Purdue’s gamers returned this season decided to make amends.
So as an alternative of fretting concerning the early season missteps at Northwestern and Nebraska, they used the losses as gasoline to maintain chugging alongside.
“If you want to win the championship you’ve got to take care of business at home, but you’ve got to at least be able to get half of them on the road,” Painter stated. “That was kind of what coach (Gene) Keady used to talk about — win all your home games, split them on the road, that puts you at 15-5. It’s always going to put you in position (for a league title).”
Painter has relied on the identical technique to provide one of many Big Ten’s strongest resumes.
Since 2009-10, solely Michigan State (5) owns extra convention common-season titles than the Boilermakers (4), and Purdue has reached 4 of the final seven Big Ten tourney championship video games, too. The Boilermakers took each titles final season, profitable the common-season crown by three video games.
Naturally, they’re now forward of schedule.
Purdue enters Saturday night time’s rematch towards the rival Hoosiers (14-9, 6-6) with an ideal 11-0 mark at residence, an ideal 5-0 mark on impartial courts and a 5-2 street document in Big Ten video games with solely three extra street journeys looming.
Indiana has gained three of the final 4 on this bitter rivalry and overcame an 18-level second-half deficit to beat Ohio State on the street Tuesday.
But one purpose Purdue’s vacation spot might be completely different this season is due to the way in which its engine has been constructed.
Sophomore guards Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith returned stronger and higher geared up to deal with the trials of what they hope can be a 41-recreation schedule.
Forward Mason Gillis, a one-time starter, opted to return for a sixth season although it meant coming off the bench. Junior ahead Caleb Furst, Indiana’s 2021 Mr. Basketball, additionally accepted a backup position after making 21 begins final season.
Furst was changed within the lineup by Trey Kaufman-Renn, who has given Purdue a extra athletic look and one other strong rebounder. And the additions of guard Lance Jones, a switch from Southern Illinois, and ahead Cameron Heide have offered extra athleticism in addition to scoring punch.
“We can win different ways,” Jones stated. “We’re not always going to have a great shooting game, but as long as you stay poised and stay aggressive, attacking the rim, doing what works, we can win.”
And, after all, when all else fails they’ll at all times depend on Edey, who leads the Big Ten in scoring at 23.1 factors per recreation and rebounding at 11.7.
Sunday’s victory prolonged Purdue’s profitable streak to seven straight for the third time this season. Another victory over Indiana would give it a season-finest eight in a row and preserve the Boilermakers ranked among the many high 5 for a thirtieth consecutive week — simply the longest energetic streak in Division I.
But everybody on campus is aware of this season can be judged by just one measure — can Purdue lastly attain the Final Four and win a nationwide championship?
“Everyone’s goal is to win, no one’s looking for numbers,” Loyer stated after final month’s 87-66 victory at Indiana. “Obviously, Zach diving on the floor, I think that’s why he’s the national player of the year.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
