What is the story about?
A week ago Purdue was limping into the Big Ten Tournament. The Boilermakers finished the regular season losing 7 of their last 13, and were vulnerable at home by losing three of the last four in Mackey Arena. The Boilers were sinking in the yes of the NCAA Tournament.
Now they are the Big Ten Tournament champion.
Purdue played some of its best, most consistent basketball over 160 minutes in four days up in Chicago, picking up three high quality wins. Beating Michigan for the championship was a very
nice surprise, and proof that Purdue can absolutely beat any team in America.
It looks like the Boilers are getting hot at the right time.
Some thoughts from today.
- Oscar Cluff was a monster in Chicago. He was rightfully named to the all-tournament team and I would have probably given him the MVP. He is just that much of a difference for Purdue. We have seen all year that when he is this much of a factor Purdue is really damn good. He averaged 17.25 points per game across four days, battled foul trouble today, and ha averaged 9.5 rebounds per game. Incredible performance.
- Braden Smith did get tourney MVP, and he goes into the NCAA Tournament almost certain to establish the new NCAA record for assists in a career. He needs one more, and he should get it early Friday.
- Fletcher Loyer had himself a tourney too.
- Trey Kaufman-Renn absolutely destroyed Michigan in the second half as Purdue pulled away. The Wolverines had absolutely no answer for him. He surprisingly had only three rebounds, but he’ll get a lot more in the tourney.
- Do not underestimate Jack Benter going 4 of 4 at the line in crunch time. He was only 10 of 19 from the line on the year entering the game, but put it away for us at the line.
- How about the poise of this team. It played one of the best teams in the country and it dominated the second half, never trailing. That second half was one of the most impressive of the season.
- Let’s just bask in the joy of winning a championship with this team. Many of us thought a Big Ten title was a foregone conclusion before the year started, so 13-7 was incredibly disappointing in that light. Now at least one banner will hang in the rafters of Mackey for this season, and if Purdue keeps playing like this, it can add another.
Purdue Press Conference
Michigan Press Conference
Matt Painter
Purdue Locker Room
