The CBS Seth-sayers kept using their own fabricated catch-phrase -- that the Big Ten Tournament was seeing “a different Michigan team.” Yes, the same Wolverines who had defeated Iowa by 17 in January and by 15 in February were damned lucky to escape Iowa in overtime in their March opener. That truly was different.
In reality, Purdue was the different team, at least compared to the one that shot 62 percent to Michigan’s 60 percent in winning their last previous meeting 92-88. That Purdue team immediately lost its legs, lost its shooting touch for six straight games, lost three straight to lose the Big Ten title and then revived enough against league underlings to win five straight heading into the tourney championship game.
The true difference? The guy who’d scored 40 in the first two games against Michigan scored 4 in the finale.
Carsen and Dakota had regained their touch, as well as the always-well-rested Isaac, but P.J. never regained previous form, and Vince had only one game out of the last 12 shooting over 50 percent. That was after he’d had the most time for prep, when he scored 26 in the tourney opener against Rutgers. Playing one day later, he sagged badly to 2-for-9 shooting, 0-for-3 on threes, for 7 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists against Penn State, then vanished the next day against Michigan with 2-for-6 shooting, 0-for-2 on threes, for 4 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
His fault? Not at all. He got the flu, got totally worn down, blew out an ankle, missed games, then gamely tried to return for his senior finale, then tried to play three straight days. He was hurt most by not having a backup all year -- Wheeler was red-shirted, Ewing was thrown off, Taylor was never used and Eifert was too short and too slow against any Big Ten opponent.
Many have pointed to that many times before, starting in November, and yet history keeps repeating. Unfortunately, that’s been no different. These days, beauty is only ten deep.
In reality, Purdue was the different team, at least compared to the one that shot 62 percent to Michigan’s 60 percent in winning their last previous meeting 92-88. That Purdue team immediately lost its legs, lost its shooting touch for six straight games, lost three straight to lose the Big Ten title and then revived enough against league underlings to win five straight heading into the tourney championship game.
The true difference? The guy who’d scored 40 in the first two games against Michigan scored 4 in the finale.
Carsen and Dakota had regained their touch, as well as the always-well-rested Isaac, but P.J. never regained previous form, and Vince had only one game out of the last 12 shooting over 50 percent. That was after he’d had the most time for prep, when he scored 26 in the tourney opener against Rutgers. Playing one day later, he sagged badly to 2-for-9 shooting, 0-for-3 on threes, for 7 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists against Penn State, then vanished the next day against Michigan with 2-for-6 shooting, 0-for-2 on threes, for 4 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
His fault? Not at all. He got the flu, got totally worn down, blew out an ankle, missed games, then gamely tried to return for his senior finale, then tried to play three straight days. He was hurt most by not having a backup all year -- Wheeler was red-shirted, Ewing was thrown off, Taylor was never used and Eifert was too short and too slow against any Big Ten opponent.
Many have pointed to that many times before, starting in November, and yet history keeps repeating. Unfortunately, that’s been no different. These days, beauty is only ten deep.
