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We certainly fell ass-backwards into this, but we now have a chance to at least salvage SOMETHING out of what has been a disastrous trip to the Bahamas. Most people predicted that a Purdue-Arizona matchup would occur in the championship game, but that was at noon today. Instead, this is the unexpected 7th place game between two teams that have struggled mightily in this tournament.
Yes, a win tonight does not completely erase the first two days, but Arizona is still a very strong team and one that can turn it around for a successful season. We now have an opportunity, so let’s take it.
P.J. Thompson, Isaac Haas, Vince Edwards, and Dakota Mathias? Take control and salvage this.
From: Tucson, Arizona
Game Location: Imperial Arena (3,500), a converted ballroom at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.
Date: November 24, 2017
Time: 9:30pm ET
TV: ESPN3 (Watch ESPN)
Radio: Boilermaker Sports Network
Odds: Purdue by 1.5
RPI: 166
KenPom: 7
2016-17 Record: 32-5, 16-2 Pac-12 (Pac-12 Regular Season and Tournament Champion, reached NCAA Sweet 16)
2017-18 Record: 3-2, 0-0
Record vs. Purdue: 5-6
Last Purdue win: 3/16/2007 at New Orleans, LA 72-63 (NCAA Tournament)
Last Arizona win: 12/8/2001 at Anaheim, CA 79-66
Blog Representation: Arizona Desert Storm
NCAA Tournament History: 34 appearances, last in 2017, 1997 NCAA Champion
Coach: Sean Miller (223-68 in 9th year at Arizona, 343-115 in 14th season overall)