Purdue can re-emerge on the national scene with win at Michigan
By SAM KLEMET
ISL Correspondent
With all due respect to Penn State, Nebraska, and West Virginia, wins against those programs for a young Purdue team were solid, but more in the category of taking care of business.
Thursday, the evolving Boilermakers can make a statement with a win at second- ranked Michigan.
Purdue is playing its best basketball of the season. The Boilers enter Crisler Arena on a three game win streak over the Nittany Lions, Cornhuskers, and Mountaineers.
All three of these teams likely will end the year on the outside looking in at the NCAA Tournament, but the wins appear to have given Purdue a shot of confidence. During the stretch, Matt Painter’s team has shown signs of maturation and are putting a greater emphasis on utilizing the post offensively, specifically freshman big-man A.J. Hammons. Over the last seven games, Purdue is scoring nearly 55 percent of its points inside the paint, compared to 32 percent for the year.
Hammons is averaging ten points, six rebounds, and two blocks a game. He joins Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel as the only freshmen to average at least that much in each of those categories.
To upset the Wolverines, Purdue is going to have to continue to work Hammons. Michigan is overloaded with talent at guard and forward, but junior-center Jordan Morgan has been inconsistent. The post is one area where Purdue may own an advantage. If the Boilers can establish themselves down low early, Hammons may prove to be an X-factor for an upset.
Nonetheless, in order for Purdue to extend its win streak, the Boilermakers need to slow down arguably the most talented backcourt in the Big Ten. All-American prospects Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway, Jr. continue to shine.
Burke is putting up Magic Johnson-esque numbers, averaging 18-points and seven assists a game, and Hardaway is the reigning conference Player of the Week.
Purdue is going to have to use a myriad of players to slow the duo. The Johnsons, Terone, Ronnie, and Anthony, and Rapheal Davis all will have to play a role in slowing the Wolverines backcourt while not sacrificing production on the offensive end.
Burke and the Wolverines take care of the ball about as well as anyone in the nation. They rank third in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio and have the fourth-lowest turnover total. Purdue is going to have to create opportunities with its defense, then can’t afford to come up empty on the other end of the floor.
The old adage, you can’t stop them, you can only hope to contain them, applies perfectly for the Boilers. They must at least slow Burke and Hardaway to have a chance.
Purdue proved they can go toe-to-toe with the Wolverines a year ago. The Boilers went into Ann Arbor and left with a 75-61 win over then-11th-ranked UofM. It’s the only loss at home for the Wolverines in the past two seasons.
That undoubtedly fuels the fire for John Beilein’s club heading into Thursday.
The Wolverines also may have a little more motivation; a possible number one ranking. With top ranked Duke losing to Miami on Wednesday, the door is open for the Wolverines to sit atop the polls for the first time in 20 years.
For Purdue, a win would be monumental in its quest to push its NCAA Tournament streak to seven straight seasons.
The Boilers are still looking for a true signature victory. Walking out of Crisler as winners for a second straight season would send a powerful message to the Big Ten and nation that they may be young, but they’re ready.
Also: D.J. Byrd finds his shooting stroke
A.J. Hammons emerges as a star
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