Klemet: Can reeling Purdue continue dominance of Illinois?
By SAM KLEMET
ISL Correspondent
If searching for the definition of “having one’s number,” look no further than what Purdue does against Illinois.
The Boilermakers own an eight-game winning streak over the Illini, including a 68-61 win Jan. 2 at Mackey Arena.
For whatever reason, Matt Painter’s team gets up for games against the Blue and Orange. The win in January in the Big Ten opener is arguably Purdue’s best of the season. Illinois was ranked in the Top 15 and playing some of the best basketball in the country, but the Boilers – feeding off an energetic home crowd and hustle plays by senior D.J Byrd – were able to steal the upset win.
Since then, both teams have been consistently inconsistent.
Purdue is 5-6 in Big Ten play and have lost three of its last four. In those losses, the Boilers fell by an average of nearly 22-points.
Illinois started conference play 2-7 and plummeted out of the top 25. But, over the past week have regrouped knocking off top ranked Indiana and No. 18 Minnesota.
Brandon Paul and D.J Richardson continue to pace the Illini. Paul is averaging a team high 17.3 points per game and Richardson averages 12 a contest, but during Illinois’ recent two-game winning streak, senior forward Tyler Griffey has come to life. He scored 14 off the bench, including the game-winning layup, against the Hoosiers, and 16 against the Gophers. In the first meeting at Purdue, Griffey was held to just eight points and one rebound.
Purdue is going to have to reverse its recent defense trend and find a way to slow this evolving Illinois three-headed monster if it hopes to walk out of Assembly Hall with a win. But, they know it can be done. The Boilers have owned the Illini since 2009. The current win streak is the third-longest in the series that started in 1906. For it to continue, the Purdue upperclassmen need to re-engage. Byrd and Terone Johnson have been almost non-existent the last two weeks, Byrd in particular. The reigning Big Ten sixth man of the year is coming off probably the worst game of his career. He went scoreless against Michigan State, taking just one shot. He coupled that with one assist, four turnovers, and five fouls.
Byrd needs to simulate his 15-point effort against Illinois in January for Purdue to have any chance, Wednesday. In fact, he needs to find that rhythm if the Boilers hope to have any success moving forward.
The same goes with Terone Johnson, who went OFF in the Big Ten opener against the Illini scoring a career-best 25-points. The Junior did score 20 against Michigan State, Saturday, but the three games prior scored a total of 18.
Purdue must get more consistent production out of Byrd and Johnson. If they do and the younger Johnson – Ronnie – and fellow freshman A.J. Hammons continue their improving play, there is a chance the Boilers extend their win streak over Illinois.
If not, it may be another familiar sight for Purdue fans, a tough road loss against a team heading in the right direction while their team’s fortunes continue to go the other way.
