There's no shame in losing to Wisconsin, a team that's much more 16-0 than it is loser of its last three.
But the way Purdue lost to the Badgers this evening was most disappointing.
Purdue's blueprint is to beat Wisconsin at its own game; Wisconsin beat Purdue at its own game to start the game, though, dominating the Big Ten's top rebounding team on the glass, grabbing eight of the game's first nine boards. The result: an almost-instant 11-point lead.
They say rebounding's about effort. Effort's about urgency. Urgency's about motivation.
Purdue should have been far more motivated than it seemed to be during those listless opening minutes.
After giving away a win at Northwestern, one might have expected more.
It got less, signs of regression and post-game comments that seemed pulled straight out of last season about needing "maturity" and having "young players who need to sit and watch." If it wasn't a flashback to last season, it was a flashback to November.
That's not good, nor was A.J. Hammons' regression to his non-conference quick-foul issues. Matt Painter showed some trust in Hammons in keeping him in after his quick first, then in bringing him back in with three at the 10-minute mark of the first half, and got burned both times within seconds.
You know, I'm not sure Purdue lost as much as you might think with Jay Simpson on the floor instead, because Simpson's mobility helped against face-up 5 Frank Kaminsky. But it sure would have been nice to have a game-changing shot-blocker in there.
Purdue's marriage to Hammons on offense sometimes isn't a harmonious one, but he's a crucial piece nonetheless, and one the Boilermakers just can't afford to be a non-factor at both ends the way he was tonight because of fouls.
Speaking of regression, Purdue's improved three-point shooting this season has turned into a pumpkin lately, 3-of-17 tonight. They took less-than-ideal shots, with some of the freshmen's gunnery seemingly striking an unhappy chord with their coach.
So, no apparent urgency, little from Hammons and untrue shooting: Add it up and you get what happened Saturday against a team - and program - that even when it's struggling, really turns the screws on you when you don't play the right way.
Watch Wisconsin's offense, how they move the ball, how a guy shot fakes, dribbles, then passes off to someone else for a three and you see how it's done. See how they're five individuals playing as one, not five individuals, period. It's Purdue should be playing, but for some reason doesn't.
It's almost February and the same issues seem to persist, with no wiggle room left for slippage.
The Wisconsin game was all about regression on multiple fronts. It's almost February and Purdue would seem to be heading in the wrong direction.
The buzzards aren't circling quite yet - there's a lot of season left - but Saturday night in Mackey Arena was not an encouraging one, with it kept in mind what lies ahead.
If anything's going to be made of this - and right now "anything" is a good term - Matt Painter and his players alike have to get this figured out quick.
Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2014. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited. E-mail GoldandBlack.com/Boilers, Inc.
This post was edited on 1/26 9:53 AM by Alan_GoldandBlack.com
But the way Purdue lost to the Badgers this evening was most disappointing.
Purdue's blueprint is to beat Wisconsin at its own game; Wisconsin beat Purdue at its own game to start the game, though, dominating the Big Ten's top rebounding team on the glass, grabbing eight of the game's first nine boards. The result: an almost-instant 11-point lead.
They say rebounding's about effort. Effort's about urgency. Urgency's about motivation.
Purdue should have been far more motivated than it seemed to be during those listless opening minutes.
After giving away a win at Northwestern, one might have expected more.
It got less, signs of regression and post-game comments that seemed pulled straight out of last season about needing "maturity" and having "young players who need to sit and watch." If it wasn't a flashback to last season, it was a flashback to November.
That's not good, nor was A.J. Hammons' regression to his non-conference quick-foul issues. Matt Painter showed some trust in Hammons in keeping him in after his quick first, then in bringing him back in with three at the 10-minute mark of the first half, and got burned both times within seconds.
You know, I'm not sure Purdue lost as much as you might think with Jay Simpson on the floor instead, because Simpson's mobility helped against face-up 5 Frank Kaminsky. But it sure would have been nice to have a game-changing shot-blocker in there.
Purdue's marriage to Hammons on offense sometimes isn't a harmonious one, but he's a crucial piece nonetheless, and one the Boilermakers just can't afford to be a non-factor at both ends the way he was tonight because of fouls.
Speaking of regression, Purdue's improved three-point shooting this season has turned into a pumpkin lately, 3-of-17 tonight. They took less-than-ideal shots, with some of the freshmen's gunnery seemingly striking an unhappy chord with their coach.
So, no apparent urgency, little from Hammons and untrue shooting: Add it up and you get what happened Saturday against a team - and program - that even when it's struggling, really turns the screws on you when you don't play the right way.
Watch Wisconsin's offense, how they move the ball, how a guy shot fakes, dribbles, then passes off to someone else for a three and you see how it's done. See how they're five individuals playing as one, not five individuals, period. It's Purdue should be playing, but for some reason doesn't.
It's almost February and the same issues seem to persist, with no wiggle room left for slippage.
The Wisconsin game was all about regression on multiple fronts. It's almost February and Purdue would seem to be heading in the wrong direction.
The buzzards aren't circling quite yet - there's a lot of season left - but Saturday night in Mackey Arena was not an encouraging one, with it kept in mind what lies ahead.
If anything's going to be made of this - and right now "anything" is a good term - Matt Painter and his players alike have to get this figured out quick.
Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2014. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited. E-mail GoldandBlack.com/Boilers, Inc.
This post was edited on 1/26 9:53 AM by Alan_GoldandBlack.com
