Do not give up on Purdue’s post season hopes yet
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 03/11/2010
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Purdue begins postseason play in the Big Ten Tournament tomorrow and the Boiler fan base is full of negative energy.
After the ACL tear heard ‘round West Lafayette, people began to panic and the gloom and doom spread like wildfire. I must admit, it happened to me too. Crazy things that could not possibly be true began to pop into my head. “Now JaJuan and E’Twaun are going to the NBA!” “Purdue is going to lose to Indiana!” “Kyle Orton is going to fumble again!” “Tom Crean can coach!”
I know, I know, some of those things have nothing to do with Purdue basketball, but they are absurd nonetheless. Anyways, to my Boilermaker brethren, I say to you, step back off the ledge. This season is not over and a deep tournament run is still possible with the pieces in place.
True, Purdue struggled to score against Michigan State, but it was the team’s first game without Robbie Hummel. That was a terrible matchup for the now-depleted Boilers. Michigan State has exceptional size and was able to dominate the boards against Purdue and cash in on many second chance opportunities. These are the kind of teams Purdue will struggle with, but beating a bigger team is not out of the question.
The key going forward for Purdue will be their pressure defense. The Boilers have been forcing turnovers in the bunches since Hummel’s injury and that is the reason I think this team can still make an Elite Eight, or better, tournament run. Purdue’s defense is going to be fine, and their offense is seeming to settle back in now after the initial shock of losing Hummel.
The major problems with Purdue now that Hummel is down will be rebounding, depth and basketball I.Q. The Boilers looked frantic and struggled to find many open looks against the Spartans. They have settled down a bit as players have found their new roles, but they must be smarter passing the ball and selecting their shots. The rebounding issue has been discussed ad nauseum, so I will spare you that, but without Hummel the depth is very limited. A scarcity of big men means that whether Purdue fans like it or not, freshman center Patrick Bade will have to play, and have to play well for Purdue to be successful.
So, as Purdue heads into the Big Ten Tournament, the teams they are likely to struggle against are bigger teams that hit the boards hard. The Spartans have been mentioned, but Wisconsin is another team Purdue may not be able to handle on the offensive glass. The good news is that they will draw either Indiana or Northwestern in their first game, and a win there could guarantee a No. 2 seed, setting up a deep tournament run.
With that seed locked up, it means Purdue will likely not have to face a team with the size and skill to beat it until the Sweet 16, or, if the bracket falls favorably, the Elite Eight. You never know, so keep the faith – this season is not lost yet.