Purdue Exponent: Front Page

Friday 3/10/2000

March 10 will be the last regular edition until March 20, due to Purdue's Spring Break. However, we will cover the men's basketball team in the Big Ten Tournament as well as both the men's and women's teams in the NCAA tournament throughout break( including local reaction to the March 12 NCAA selection and seeding).

click here -->
for Boilermaker postseason coverage

Boilers to face Badgers in quarterfinals

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

In each of Purdue's two games with Wisconsin this season, the Badgers played their usual tenacious defense. The outcome just came down to whether Purdue's shots were falling or not.

On Jan. 15, the Boilers (21-8) overcame a mediocre start by hitting 55.6 percent of their 3-pointers and beat Wisconsin (17-12) 63-52. On Jan. 26, Purdue had its worst offensive performance of the season, making a season-low 28.6 percent of its field goals and scoring a season low in points while losing 55-45.

Both teams won at home, but tonight they will meet at a neutral site for the first time in the history of the series. The game, which starts at 10 tonight at the United Center in Chicago, will be the last game of the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Purdue fifth-year senior Brian Cardinal is looking forward to playing in the United Center. Last season, in Purdue's first-round 79-73 overtime loss to Michigan, Cardinal scored a career-high 33 points.

"It's a great place to play," said Cardinal. "The fans are great. Plus, you're playing in the Big Ten Tournament. I mean, it doesn't get much better than that."

Chris Pickard/Chief Photographer

Purdue senior Mike Robinson backs in against Indiana during the Hoosiers' 79-65 win on Feb. 29. Robinson is anticipating a tough defense from Wisconsin tonight. For Related Coverage, See Pages 18-19.

Purdue coach Gene Keady said his team loves to play in the United Center. The Boilers are 4-4 there, including 4-2 in the postseason. The team generally shoots well there and has averaged 68.5 points per game.

Keady is concerned with how his offense will fare against the Badgers, who hold opponents to an average of 58.6 points per game — the best in the conference. Point guard Carson Cunningham has a torn ligament in his left ankle; it's not likely that he will start tonight.

Keady thinks depth will be a key. The Badgers' bench includes Jon Bryant, the team's third-leading scorer. Purdue's reserves have played well at times this season.

However, Keady is more concerned with how his team's defense will do against the Badgers' offense. Forward Mike Robinson said the Boilers will have to match the Badgers' defensive intensity.

'When it comes to offense we have to be patient and work for a good shot because they're gonna make us be patient on offense," said Robinson, who will play some at point guard in the tournament. "We've got to come down and stick them on defense like they're sticking us. If we do that, we'll be OK."

[MORE]

PSG rule creates some conflict

By Kelly Lucas
Campus Editor

Today marks the last day the Purdue Student Government will accept additional tickets for student body president and vice president.

[MORE]

Committee brings big-name concerts

By Carly Maitlen
Entertainment Editor

It seems like a new era for the Purdue Student Concert Committee. After being hit with a stream of constant criticism for not being able to produce headlining acts to come to Purdue, the Student Concert Committee has responded in a big way by managing to land two big-name bands: Third Eye Blind and the Smashing Pumpkins.

[MORE]

Loft Boys by Joel Lugar