Purdue Big Ten Championships - The First to 25
When Purdue plays Illinois at home on Sunday, the intro video will play. When Gene Keady comes on, the crowd will wait with anticipation, will grow with sound, and ignite when he says it.
"The home to 25 Big Ten Championships."
When Gene Keady retired as Head Coach of Purdue in 2004-05, 25 Championships seemed a long way off.
"I wish I could lie to you," Matt Painter says to a room full of reporters. "I asked."
What did he ask? The score of the Illinois-Michigan game, which tilted in Purdue's favor after two overtimes during Purdue's first half at Wisconsin. With Illinois' win, Purdue already had the outright Big Ten Championship wrapped up before they went into half against Wisconsin. Win, lose, or draw, Purdue's 25th Big Ten Title was going to be its own outright.
So for most of a game, Matt Painter coached with a secret.
When Purdue plays Illinois at home on Sunday, the intro video will play. When Gene Keady comes on, the crowd will wait with anticipation, will grow with sound, and ignite when he says it.
"The home to 25 Big Ten Championships."
When Gene Keady retired as Head Coach of Purdue in 2004-05, 25 Championships seemed a long way off.
"I wish I could lie to you," Matt Painter says to a room full of reporters. "I asked."
What did he ask? The score of the Illinois-Michigan game, which tilted in Purdue's favor after two overtimes during Purdue's first half at Wisconsin. With Illinois' win, Purdue already had the outright Big Ten Championship wrapped up before they went into half against Wisconsin. Win, lose, or draw, Purdue's 25th Big Ten Title was going to be its own outright.
So for most of a game, Matt Painter coached with a secret.
