Purdue 92, Michigan 88: Purdue Gets Hard Earned Sweep

Wow.

As expected, Michigan gave Purdue everything they had and more. At one point the teams were trading pur haymakers as as both were shooting north of 80% from the floor for the second half until late. Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman was sensational with 26 points, 19 of which came in the second half.

It was just insane to watch that second half was beautiful offensive basketball for both teams. Someone had to blink though, and it was Michigan. A 14-2 run in the second half allowed Purdue to open up a 79-70 lead and it was enough. Michigan got it to 4 with 5 straight from Mo Wagner anId later got it to 3, but Purdue played defesne and hit its free throws. Purdur got three critical defensive stops with a 79-75 lead that were huge.

It ended up being a career night for Vince Edwards. He had 30 and was a scorching 9 of 11 from the floor. Isaac Haas abused Wagner defensively for 24 points on 10 of 12 shooting. He also had 3 assists on 3 straight possesions and 6 rebounds. Vince added 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Carsen Edwards had another stat stuffing night with 13 points, 11 straight coming to close the first half and have Purdue up 41-36 at the break.

Really, this was a fantastic game. Both teams played extremely well and Michigan was more than a handful. If not for that 14-2 run Purdue was in trouble. P.J. Thompson got to avenge himself by making both ends of a late 1 and 1 to ice it after missing the front end last year in the Big Ten Tournament before Purdue lost in overtime. Michigan did a lot of things offensively to confuse Purdue and continued to take advantage of switches for threes or drives to the basket by Rahkman. Purdue was just better offensively. The Boilers shot 62% for the game from the floor and probably loses if it shoots below 60.

Overall, it was a well-earned win. Michigan is the team in the conference that presents the worst matchup for Purdue with its 3-point shooting and Wagner. Both games were tight, but Purdue survived both to get a pair of really good wins. What more can you ask for?

Now, at 9-0, we’re halfway to a Big Ten title and can’t afford a misstep. We should be favored in the next three before a huge game with Ohio State, who is also unbeaten in Big Ten play. The next one is big, as we head to Bloomington to take on the hated Hoosiers. We will also go for a record 17th straight win, as this is the 4th time Purdue has won 16 in a row (and first since 1988), but never 17.

Beat IU.