Why I Was Rooting for Syracuse Boilermakings 2/27
by TelePunk5 on Feb 28, 2010 12:15 AM EST
in Boilermakings and other Purdue sports
Email
Print
I was sitting here watching the ESPN pregame show for Villanova at Syracuse earlier this evening. The show began with a debate about whether or not Syracuse deserved to be ranked number 1 if they beat the Wildcats tonight, given that Kansas and Kentucky had lost earlier in the day. The Gameday crew went back and forth about if they should leapfrog Kentucky, or if Kansas still deserved to be the #1 team. After going back and forth for a few minutes, Rece Davis (directly preceding a commercial break) basically said sorry Purdue you don't belong in this discussion and then mentioned that we needed to wait and see how our rankings and seeding would fall with the loss of Hummel.
It was at this moment that I decided I would be rooting for the Orange tonight. In fact, if they win, I want them to be ranked first, especially if the Boilers take care of business against the Spartans. I want Kramer, JJ, KG, and E'Twaun to see that no one thinks they are worthy. I want them to see that even if they win a tough road game against a desperate team who gave them their best shot, it doesn't matter. I want them to see that beating the defending national runner up, a top 15 team, doesn't matter. I want them to know that no one outside of that locker room and Purdue fans think that they can win another game without Robbie.
Even throughout the game, when it was clear that Villanova wasn't coming back to win it, the commentators began to discuss #1 seeds, with nary a word about the good guys in Old Gold and Black. They haven't even lost a game in weeks, and you would think that they had lost at home to LeMoyne and Penn State. "Forget it," is the word from Bristol, the Purdue Hummels are done for the year.
Why don't I want Purdue to be the top ranked team in the country? Simple, this team plays better angry. When Manny Harris knocked out Chris Kramer what happened? Purdue went on a 30-8 run and turned a close game into a slaughter. What happened when a "superior" Big East team came to Mackey this season, and the media declared that Purdue would finally be exposed? The Boilers put on a clinic and cruised to a 15 point victory (which could have easily been 30). When this team fell behind at Alabama, they came back with such force that fans were getting ejected in frustration. So, please, by all means, let them know how bad they are supposed to be now. All of these guys know how to read, and they know what getting leapfrogged by Syracuse means for how the pollsters think of them. I will say one thing though, if they beat the Spartans, I wouldn't want to play for IU or Penn State if the Orange are number 1 come Monday.
After the jump, we get to the Boilermakings.
Basketball;
Keaton Grant 'Playing Like a Senior' for Purdue Despite Losing Starting Job
MLive.com profiles KG.
It's Now or Never: Michigan State-Purdue Preview
The Only Colors previews the Michigan State-Purdue basketball game, in their always excellent fashion.
Chris Kramer Looks to Tie Purdue Steals Record Against Michigan State
Lost in all of the Hummel talk is the fact that Kramer needs one steal to tie the record and 2 to break it. Also, Keaton Grant needs 25 points to join the 1,000 point club. So that may happen against Michigan State or IU.
Purdue Won't Go Far Without Hummel
The Philidelphia Inquirer counts the Boilers among the dead.
Hummel's Injury Doesn't End All Hope for Boilers
The Fort Wayne New-Sentinel thinks we will be OK without Robbie.
Robbie Hummel Will Lead Team in Different Way After Injury
That different way is spiritually. Like the Pope, or the Dalai Lama, or Tom Cruise.
Purdue’s #1 Seed Now Up for Grabs
The blog Not Qualified to Comment has decided that the Boilers aren't getting a #1 seed. Aptly titled blog.
The Selection Committee's Dilemma: How to seed Purdue?
The Dagger on seeding the Boilers.
With Robbie Hummel Out, Purdue Still Formidable
Finally, some love from the Detroit Free Press.
Football;
Purdue Game Day Traditions
Adam Rittenburg has ridden in an elevator with Neil Armstrong.
NFL Combine Kicks Off
Mike Neal and David Pender look to make a splash. Purdue in recent history has had lots of players do very well in the combine. I would love for the Colts to take Neal, since they need a good DT. Where do you think Pender ends up?
Other Boilermakings;
Purdue's Boudia Defends Big Ten Crown
David Boudia went to Columbus to chew bubblegum and kick ass. They were out of bubblegum.
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Just. Keep Winning.
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
ESPN
I heard all the ESPN talking heads ignore and write off Purdue too. And later on SportsCenter, I heard Linda Cohn proclaim Ohio State had tied Purdue for the Big Ten lead with their win over Michigan. It all had my blood boiling.
by Bulldogsmoltz31 on Feb 28, 2010 3:01 AM EST reply actions
Agree with the article
I agree that a Hummel-less Boiler team is better as the hunters and not the hunted. Which then gets me thinking if a hungry 2 seed might be better than a 1. I’m looking for any edge at this point and I think a still talented Purdue team that could play the disrespect card would be mighty dangerous.
Boiler Up!
SU new #1
Because SU is my team and because of who we play night in night out and since we are 7-0 against all ranked teams we’ve played, I do think we should be the outright #1 team as of Monday. However, I wouldn’t be to disappointed to see Purdue there either. After all, since Purdue’s 3 consecutive losses they have been on a tear. Completely destroying teams and playing great team basketball. If Purdue is truly a great team, and I think they are, somebody will come off the bench for Robbie and takeover. This person will not only showcase why he has talent too but why Purdue is so good. Purdue has to face this adversity and really come together more than they ever have and shut the so called ESPN experts up. Pretty much punch them in the mouth. My beloved SU has this year. Nobody gave the Cuse any respect when we lost our 3 starters from last year. And what did we do, we puched Reese Davis and Jay Bilas right in the chops. And look where that team unity has gotten us! Now it’s Purdue’s turn. You can do it.
Matt
I actually think Syracuse will be #1
If Purdue wins my top 5 are
1. Syracuse
2. Kentucky
3. Purdue
4. Kansas
5. Duke
If Purdue loses I think the poll will end up
1. Kentucky
2. Syracuse
3. Kansas
4. Duke
5. Kansas State
Simply because Kentucky lost to a ranked team on the road, whereas Kansas’ loss was worse. Not that I necessarily agree, it’s just how I see things playing out. We would probably end up at 8 with Ohio State at 7 or 6 if we lose. The pollsters seem to be waiting to send our ranking into free fall if ESPN is a gauge of what the nation is thinking.
Hammer and Rails
The only Purdue blog at that web address.
Nice post
This has got to be the most cordial place for intelligent and rational discussion regarding basketball teams. I’ve tried other boards and left because it degenerates into third grade name calling.
Having said that, it is amazing how quickly Purdue has faded from what little national spotlight they had earned by being the 3rd ranked team in the country. While Tennessee (deservedly) was getting props for beating the 1 and 2 ranked teams this year, you would think it would be a great time to interject something about the #3 team beating them on a neutral court. Throughout the Villanova-Cuse broadcast, it was assumed that Syracuse would leapfrog Purdue to become number one. That is despite what Purdue may or may not do today against Michigan State.
We’ve got games to show the selection committee where we belong and right now is our time!
Boiler Up!
The reason I was cheering for Syracuse
I wasn’t thinking about pissing off our players so much as I was thinking that Syracuse was already a #1 seed team. And I want as few other schools to have their names added to the discussion as possible between now and two weeks from now. So I’ll be cheering for KU, UK, and the Cuse. #’s 5-25 can all suck an egg.
Oh and @bulldogsmoltz31, Ohio State did tie us with their win over Michigan. They have played two more games than us at this point, so they have one more win than us, and one more loss than us. When you measure standings by games up or down, that is considered tied.
I want to have my cake and eat it too
I say, if things go right, Purdue beats a very good MSU team, and voters maybe vote with their heads over their hearts (I’d have no problem with Syracuse being #1,) reading their press clippings ISN’T going to puff the team up because 1) they won’t be flattering and 2) hopefully they learned from experience how to deal with a high ranking. Perhaps oddsmakers will even put them as an underdog in the big ten tourney against OSU and Wisconsin even if they’re a 1-seed. Now that’d be annoying!
by Beavis Beefcake on Feb 28, 2010 5:02 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
