Purdue 81, Minnesota 47: Boilers Roll

The Boilermakers came into the week with two tough road challenges and a top-5 ranking for the first time since 2010.

They finished the week by moving their win streak to 13 games and cementing their place as one of the best teams in the country after routing Minnesota on the road 81-47.

In a game where senior point guard P. J. Thompson suffered from the flu, another senior took over the game in the first half. Vincent Edwards dropped 20 of his game-high 25 points in the first half. He scored from everywhere, knocking down 5 three-pointers while grabbing 5 boards and dishing two assists.

In the second half, sophomore guard Carsen Edwards took over. He found his shot after struggling in the first half. He finished 4 of 9 shooting in the second half to score 14 points, but more importantly got his teammates involved in the game throughout for a career high 7 assists while not turning the ball over. It is his second straight game making four three-pointers.

Dakota Mathias has now made multiple 3’s in 6 straight games. He knocked down 3 of 8 attempts for 12 points to go with 4 assists and 6 rebounds. Isaac Haas continues his efficient play. He scored 14 plays, making 5 of 6 shots while knocking down all 4 of his free throw attempts.

P. J. Thompson who didn’t start the second half after getting sick at halftime, came in after Eastern struggled early in the second half. While Thompson missed all four of his shots, he had 4 assists and 0 turnovers and helped reverse Minnesota’s early run in the second half that brought the game to within 10.

But the Golden Gophers, short-handed with Coffee suffering a shoulder injury and Reggie Lynch being suspended and probably done for his career after sexual assault accusations, couldn’t find clean looks or stop the Boilermakers. The #5 ranked team in the country stifled Minnesota all game, holding them to 17 of 59 shooting from the floor and 19% from 3.

The Boilermakers continue to roll. They move to 17-2 on the year and 6-0 in the Big Ten. They will play host to the Wisconsin Badgers on Tuesday.