My Feb. 25 was supposed to be a good day... Purdue barely escaped the night before but the question of whether robbie's knee still floated in my mind. I prayed for just a sprain, but in 7th period chemistry I recieved a text from my dad with news nobody wants to hear. It read like this "Happy 16th birthday and by the way, on The Score they just said Robbie has a torn acl". I was shocked. It looked like the Final Four dream is all but over. It got me thinking, who can replace him? Can they learn how to play without one of the best players in the conference and maybe even the nation?

The key to this postseason run will be Patrick Bade. We know E'twaun and JJ can run off 20 a piece, Kramer can shut down whoever Painter asks him too, and sometimes even Keaton Grant can pull a rabbit out of a hat but we need that second big. He doesn't have to put out all of Robbie's production but he needs to step up. He needs to first of all look like he belongs. You are playing for the Big 10 leader so you do belong on the court. Be assertive! Don't be afraid to battle, just go in there bang around in the post. Go up strong for boards and don't back down for anyone. You have 5 fouls, do not give ground to anyone.Go out there and make the opposing player remember you! 
I believe you can make Boilermaker nation proud. Just go out there and make the most of your time and leave it all on the floor.