Boilermakers: Back on Track

The Purdue Boilermakers impressed everyone, including the record books, with their impressive 14-0 start and had many people raving about them as a potential #1 seed and one of the favourites in the NCAA tournament. However, consecutive losses to Wisconsin, Ohio State and Northwestern had ruined Purdue’s record and actually left them in a precarious position within the Big Ten Conference at 2-3. Despite the fact that this three-game losing streak was the longest that the team had experience since 2006, there was never a hint of panic amongst the Boilermakers. Rebounding was considered by many as a potential area of concern for this team at the start of the season and they had allowed themselves to simply get dominated on the boards during this slide. A determined team battled to a difficult, but vital 84-78 over Illinois. Since then they haven’t looked back as they notched up victories over Michigan, Wisconsin and a particularly impressive 76-64 on the road against Big Ten leaders Michigan State.

Their most recent victory is perhaps the team’s most noteworthy and impressive yet though. On Tuesday night, the Boilermakers defeated a red hot Ohio State team 60-57; the Buckeyes had been on an impressive run of the own and it was the first home defeat of the season. It was close game, but Purdue were able to secure a crucial victory and are now just a ½ game back from the Spartans for the Big Ten lead, they are also now ½ ahead of Ohio State for second in the Conference.

This team has a huge amount of skill and depth in its line-up, making it a formidable opponent to any competition. Robbie Hummel and E’Twaun Moore are both having excellent seasons and are key scorers on this team; both are very effective three-point shooters and are able to dish the ball effectively. However, it is arguable that the biggest key to this team is JuJuan Johnson, Johnson has taken on a lot more responsibility this season and has become that all important ‘third scorer’. After scoring just 18 points in total during Purdue’s three-game losing streak, Johnson has averaged 19.6 PPG and 7.6 RPG during their current eight-game winning streak including 24-point nights against both Illinois and Ohio State.

The Boilermakers actually have a pretty reasonable schedule to finish the season; they have two road games, one of which is against the 1-12 Nittany Lions. They play both Illinois and in what could be the decider in the Big Ten against Michigan State at home. Whether or not Purdue can finish the season unbeaten is a bit of a redundant question because they will undoubtedly be a very good seed in the NCAA tournament. However, I personally back them to seal the Big Ten title with a good home victory against what is still an excellent Spartan team on the 28 th February.

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