Purdue hosts Big Ten leading Michigan tonight and for one of the first times this season, there is very little on the line for our Boilermakers. The Wolverines are trying to nail down its second Big Ten championship in three years, this time with multiple players that Purdue actively recruited. Purdue is completely out of the NCAA Tournament picture unless it wins the Big Ten Tournament and needs one more victory just to be eligible for the NIT.
There is not a lot on the line for this team and the one player that seemed to be aware a basketball season was still going on, Sterling Carter, is now out for the season. Getting that win will be difficult, as Purdue is the only team in the Big Ten that does not have a win over a ranked team and Purdue's next three opponents are ranked.
Projected Starters |
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Purdue Boilermakers (15-12, 5-9) |
Michigan Wolverines (19-7, 11-3) |
A.J. Hammons - So. |
Jordan Morgan - Sr. |
Errick Peck - Sr. |
Glenn Robinson III - So. |
Kendall Stephens - Fr. |
Nik Stauskas - So. |
Terone Johnson - Sr. |
Caris LaVert - So. |
Ronnie Johnson - So. |
Derrick Walton Jr. - Fr. |
Series with Purdue: |
Purdue leads 83-65 |
Last Purdue win: |
75-61 on 2/25/2012 at Michigan |
Last Michigan State win: |
75-55 on 1/30/2014 at Michigan |
Odds: |
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Blog Representation |
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Location: |
Ann Arbor, MI |
Best Postseason Result: |
1989 NCAA Champion |
2012-13 record: |
31-8, 12-6 Big Ten (NCAA Runner-up) |
Coach: |
John Beilein (434-267, 141-92 in 7th year at Michigan |
RPI: |
16 |
Time: |
7pm |
TV: |
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Radio: |
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Streaming Audio: |
In the first meeting Matt Painter played Stephen Toyra some big early minutes because of a lack of effort by the scholarship guys. He lit a brief fire, as Purdue used its full court press and briefly took a 21-20 lead before the pres was called off and Michigan dominated the rest of the way. The first game was an example of how well Purdue's press can work, but it is puzzling why Painter has rarely gone back to it.
In fact, Purdue's defense was awful in the second half. At one point Michigan was shooting 63% from the floor and scored on 16 of 20 possessions. Yes, they are a good team, but those are numbers that don't occur if the opposition is not playing defense. This, like many games this season, was an example of lousy Purdue defense.
At this point in the season we know what we have with Purdue. They look completely unmotivated and unprepared at all times and we are a very, very long way from claiming that Defense Lives Here. Michigan has been taking care of business for some time and they should do so again tonight.