By SAM KLEMET ISL Correspondent Purdue and Michigan State have developed a rather contentious relationship over the past two seasons. The foes have exchanged blows both literally and figuratively. Saturday, Michigan State has a chance to deliver a knockout blow to a team that has been wobbling on the mat. For Purdue, the showdown in West Lafayette […]
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Tag: A.J. Hammons
By SAM KLEMET ISL Correspondent A victory against a team that is winless in the conference usually doesn’t carry much weight. But, for a young Purdue squad, Tuesday’s 58-49 victory at Penn State was much needed. It ended a two-game losing streak in which the Boilers played arguably their worst basketball of the season. They were […]
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By CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor After Purdue beat Penn State earlier this season, a reporter asked A.J. Hammons and Ronnie Johnson if they think about the future. After all, the freshmen dominated in a 60-42 win, and it looked like the Boilermakers and their young talent might be turning the corner. Hammons answered first. “I […]
Continue ReadingBy SAM KLEMET ISL Correspondent A 37-point loss at home to your arch rival is alarming. Following it up by getting shellacked by a team that entered the weekend with a 3-6 conference record can only be described as embarrassing. Purdue (11-11, 4-5) fell 75-60 at Northwestern (13-10, 4-6). It’s the Boilers second loss in […]
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By CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — It was a surreal moment at Mackey Arena. Purdue trailed rival Indiana 57-39 in the second half on Wednesday night, yet you’d never know it based on the electricity in the building. As A.J. Hammons strode to the bench for a break, he waved his arms […]
Continue ReadingBy CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A lot of sports writers get criticized for not going back over their predictions and bold statements because by not doing so, they never seem wrong. Well, I make mistakes, and I have no shame in going over them. I didn’t officially make a prediction for this […]
Continue ReadingBy CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor A Purdue win over No. 3 Indiana on Wednesday wouldn’t be as big an upset as some might think. I have covered both teams this season, so I have perhaps a unique perspective on their matchup. Indiana is loaded with skill and weapons, but the Hoosiers have some weaknesses the Boilermakers […]
Continue ReadingBy SAM KLEMET ISL Correspondent It’s nearly impossible to beat arguably the best team in the country when you don’t play a complete game. Purdue learned that the hard way Thursday in Ann Arbor, falling 68-53 to second-ranked Michigan. Purdue (10-9, 3-3) came out playing fearlessly, led by senior captain D.J Byrd. The Crawfordsville native scored […]
Continue ReadingBy 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 […]
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By CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor Purdue coach Matt Painter recently said center A.J. Hammons would be better off accepting the fact that he’s an old-school, traditional big man, and that the fact that few of those exist anymore makes him a valuable commodity. In the same way that Hammons has emerged by accepting who he is, […]
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By CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor Ok, Purdue just made a jump. This isn’t just a young team with potential anymore. The Boilermakers are good. Purdue methodically dismantled West Virginia 79-52 on Saturday in a blowout so complete that even coach Matt Painter was surprised. We know Purdue is going to defend. But even with limited offensive production from […]
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