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: D.J. Byrd
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 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 […]
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By SAM KLEMET ISL Correspondent Sunday’s basketball game at Mackey Arena probably would have been more appropriately played a half a century ago with peach baskets and high-top Chuck Taylors. But, for what Purdue and Iowa lacked in efficiency, they made up for in excitement. The Boilers beat the Hawkeyes 65-62 in overtime Sunday for their […]
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 […]
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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 […]
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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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By CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor Purdue pulled out a 66-56 win over Ball State on Tuesday night that was closer than it should have been. The Boilermakers clearly had more talent, but they allowed the Cardinals to hang around several times in the first half when consistent play, especially on offense, might have put the game […]
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By CLIFF BRUNT ISL Editor What’s up with Purdue? Why are the Boilermakers 4-6? Why are they losing these close games? Do they have any chance to do anything this season? These are questions I have been asked in the past week by fans disappointed in the 81-68 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday. I know, […]
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