INDIANAPOLIS — Greetings from Gainbridge Fieldhouse (or the City Barbecue at IUPUI, one or the other), where Purdue plays Iowa today for the Big Ten Tournament championship.
I think Purdue's already checked the most important box for its trip to Indy, by regaining positive momentum, but a Big Ten Tournament title sure would be nice, in terms of having something permanent to show for this season, something for the historical record, I mean. (Obviously there will be chances for more the rest of the month.)
It's really too bad that this isn't Indiana, because that would have been an event in every sense of the term, and it's too bad Purdue didn't get to beat Wisconsin en route to this point, but otherwise I'm not sure you could have scripted this much better.
Purdue's played, but also been pushed. It's taken a clear step defensively, continuing an upward trend from the end of the regular season, albeit against a lot of teams with offensive limitations. Purdue's done a good job taking care of the basketball, the single biggest existential threat this team needs to sidestep. Jaden Ivey's playing at a high level at the right time, and Brandon Newman has re-established himself as someone they can rely on. Purdue's playing well together, playing hard and talking on defense.
A lot of stuff lining up here, much of which, though, Iowa will challenge.
Playing a championship-stakes game for the second time this season and first time in months will be a worthwhile trial run for the Boilermakers, and a championship would be a great thing and ease the unfulfilling feeling that came with the regular season title clanking off a backboard.
Three more things ...
1. This is the consummate matchups game, because when Keegan Murray and Kris Murray play together, that's the most challenging small-ball matchup Purdue's seen all season. Purdue can't really guard that straight-up, it's just gonna have to rebound and abuse it at the offensive end, and hope Iowa misses some threes. But Purdue's bigs have to expose it on the glass and at the offensive end.
2. Shooting. Purdue's gonna get good looks against Iowa, especially off the trap, assuming its guards don't spaz out, which they won't. Purdue dominated Iowa's press in Iowa City. This would be a good time for Sasha Stefanovic to go off, busted fingers or not.
3. Loose balls and long rebounds. Purdue's done a good job with the former, but not as great a job with the latter. Possessions matter so much more now and all this stuff becomes magnified. Offensive rebounding was the reason Purdue beat Michigan State and it can go a long way the rest of the way, too.
That's what I've got.
Follow along here or on Twitter at @brianneubert.
Just a quick FYI: Post-game coverage will be non-traditional today, because there won't really be a post-game press conference as it'll run right into the Selection Show.
I think Purdue's already checked the most important box for its trip to Indy, by regaining positive momentum, but a Big Ten Tournament title sure would be nice, in terms of having something permanent to show for this season, something for the historical record, I mean. (Obviously there will be chances for more the rest of the month.)
It's really too bad that this isn't Indiana, because that would have been an event in every sense of the term, and it's too bad Purdue didn't get to beat Wisconsin en route to this point, but otherwise I'm not sure you could have scripted this much better.
Purdue's played, but also been pushed. It's taken a clear step defensively, continuing an upward trend from the end of the regular season, albeit against a lot of teams with offensive limitations. Purdue's done a good job taking care of the basketball, the single biggest existential threat this team needs to sidestep. Jaden Ivey's playing at a high level at the right time, and Brandon Newman has re-established himself as someone they can rely on. Purdue's playing well together, playing hard and talking on defense.
A lot of stuff lining up here, much of which, though, Iowa will challenge.
Playing a championship-stakes game for the second time this season and first time in months will be a worthwhile trial run for the Boilermakers, and a championship would be a great thing and ease the unfulfilling feeling that came with the regular season title clanking off a backboard.
Three more things ...
1. This is the consummate matchups game, because when Keegan Murray and Kris Murray play together, that's the most challenging small-ball matchup Purdue's seen all season. Purdue can't really guard that straight-up, it's just gonna have to rebound and abuse it at the offensive end, and hope Iowa misses some threes. But Purdue's bigs have to expose it on the glass and at the offensive end.
2. Shooting. Purdue's gonna get good looks against Iowa, especially off the trap, assuming its guards don't spaz out, which they won't. Purdue dominated Iowa's press in Iowa City. This would be a good time for Sasha Stefanovic to go off, busted fingers or not.
3. Loose balls and long rebounds. Purdue's done a good job with the former, but not as great a job with the latter. Possessions matter so much more now and all this stuff becomes magnified. Offensive rebounding was the reason Purdue beat Michigan State and it can go a long way the rest of the way, too.
That's what I've got.
Follow along here or on Twitter at @brianneubert.
Just a quick FYI: Post-game coverage will be non-traditional today, because there won't really be a post-game press conference as it'll run right into the Selection Show.
