I dont follow FL but....

[typeviic]

does anyone remember the FL team that won 2 NCAAC?
They were beaten a few times and had a good inside/out game. What was their Achilles heel in their losses?

 

[BoilerDeac]

possibly on-ball, perimeter defense (Lee Humphrey and Taurean Green weren't hounds like Kramer, Davis, Hill, Octeus, etc.), but outside of that, not much.

 

[FleeTheScene]

My issue isn't with the loss, it happens and Butler is a good team. My issue is with what looked like a real lack of effort, focus, grit when our backs were against the wall. Its something I feel like I've seen out of Purdue when we've been in tough spots in years past.

Talent isn't our problem. I think our mental toughness was the missing link on Saturday. My girlfriend is an MSU fan so I've seen every one of their games as well. In my mind their toughness and determination to win is the difference between our two teams so far this year. They were down big against Louisville and I never saw them hang their heads, they just kept grinding and they came back to win.

I love Purdue basketball and I hated to see us lose this way. Let's hope they can learn from it and move forward.

 

[BoilerDeac]

My issue isn't with the loss, it happens and Butler is a good team. My issue is with what looked like a real lack of effort, focus, grit when our backs were against the wall. Its something I feel like I've seen out of Purdue when we've been in tough spots in years past.

Talent isn't our problem. I think our mental toughness was the missing link on Saturday. My girlfriend is an MSU fan so I've seen every one of their games as well. In my mind their toughness and determination to win is the difference between our two teams so far this year. They were down big against Louisville and I never saw them hang their heads, they just kept grinding and they came back to win.

I love Purdue basketball and I hated to see us lose this way. Let's hope they can learn from it and move forward.

Yes, I think you hit it on the head.

Losses happen, but losing a game the way Purdue looked, is not pleasant, and it seems like that is what worries most fans right now. I want to see Purdue act like its the better team in every single game they play, even if they're not. Butler had the attitude and determination of the better team on Saturday, and it was obvious.

 

[lbodel]

Yes, I think you hit it on the head.

Losses happen, but losing a game the way Purdue looked, is not pleasant, and it seems like that is what worries most fans right now. I want to see Purdue act like its the better team in every single game they play, even if they're not. Butler had the attitude and determination of the better team on Saturday, and it was obvious.

Agreed. I think Purdue is a bit of unfamiliar territory being a target (last year when playing catch up, we were doing the targeting).

And I'd also add that almost every team in the country has "lapses" in focus. I'm certainly not going to say this is an isolated incident as we obviously have a lot other games to play.

I said earlier in the year that losses can often be the biggest things to help you improve as a team (which I got a lot of crap for saying). It's really hard to learn and improve when you are blowing out teams every game.

While we have played some decent teams and fought through those games, none have been at the level of Butler. We'll get that type of effort against every team come Big Ten season if we remain ranked. Doesn't mean it will be as effective, but teams will be gunning for us.

Butler exposed some things we have to work on and improve upon. I'm concerned with the Vandy game because they are a lot better than many are thinking. And we have 2 days to digest the Butler game and play again. Vandy will be very prepared.