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Purdue is actually on the verge of a record this Sunday. A 17th home victory would establish a new record for most home victories in a single season at Purdue, and that record may not be eclipsed for some time given the current scheduling limitations of 9 conference home games, only 13 non-conference games and at least three of them occurring each season at a neutral site. In reality, it should be 18 victories, as the only defeat came because of the disastrous second half against Iowa.
Of course, much more is at stake. Purdue is facing one of the hottest teams in America with Big Ten and NCAA Tournament seeding son the line. Also, we want to send our four seniors out right.
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Opponent |
Wisconsin Badgers |
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Location: |
Madison, WI |
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Date: |
3/6/2016 |
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Venue: |
Mackey Arena (14,846), West Lafayette, IN |
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TV: |
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Radio Stream: |
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Satellite Radio: |
SIRI 136, XM |
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Odds: |
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Tickets: |
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Tipoff: |
7:30pm |
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KenPom Ranking: |
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RPI: |
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Blog Representation: |
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2015-16 Record: |
20-10, 12-5 |
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All-time series |
Purdue leads 106-69 |
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Last Purdue win: |
61-55 at Wisconsin on 12/29/2015 |
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Last Wisconsin Win: |
71-51 in Chicago (B1G Tourney) on 3/14/15 |
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2014-15 Record: |
36-4, 16-2 Big Ten (Big Ten Champions, Big Ten Tourney Champions, NCAA Runner-Up) |
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Last NCAA appearance: |
2015 (23 appearances) NCAA Champion 1941 |
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Coach: |
Greg Gard (13-5 in 1st year at Wisconsin, 0-1 vs. Purdue) |
When Purdue beat the Badgers in Madison on December 29th no one thought it would end up being Purdue's best road win. The loss knocked Wisconsin to 8-6 overall, and they would fall to 9-9 after a 1-4 start in league play, beating only Rutgers. After losing 70-65 at Northwestern on January 12 this team was dead and their various streaks of NCAA appearances and top 4 finishes in Big Ten play was over.
Or so we thought.
Since then, Wisconsin is 11-1. They started by beating Michigan State at home by 2. Later, they beat Indiana at home before wrecking things by beating Maryland and Iowa on the road. They have punched their way out of the coffin and, miraculously, will finish no worse than tied for fourth as well as make the NCAA Tournament yet again. People have commented on what Tom Crean has done at Indiana, but the Hoosiers were a Big Ten contender before the season started. Greg Gard WASN'T EVEN THE HEAD COACH when the season started, and he has pulled a team from 9-9 and barely NIT worthy to NCAA lock in about 7 weeks.
If you look closer as Wisconsin's record though, they weren't exactly that far off in the 9-9 start. Of their 10 losses, five were within a possession. They made Purdue earn it in the game back on December 29th. A.J. Hammons had 24 and 7 off the bench as Purdue's only double figures scorer. Nigel Hayes had 17 for the Badgers, but it was your typical Wisconsin grinder of a game.
The emergence of Ethan Happ, sure to be on the all-B1G freshman team, has provided a nice boost. Purdue held him to two points, but he averages 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds as Wisconsin's top rebounder. Hayes and Bronson Koenig have also made this their team after serving as support players for Kaminsky and Co. last year.
As with many games this year, it will come down to what Purdue's seniors do. The Boilers are at home and are tough normally, but Wisconsin is historically bad in Mackey Arena with something like 3 wins in the last 40 years. On senior day I like Purdue's chances as we honor the following our four seniors.