Court Storms Prove Just How Far Purdue’s Program Has Come
Purdue has become THE game for Big Ten opponents over the last two seasons … it’s their Super Bowl.
Don’t believe me?
Over the past couple years there have been seven court storms that have followed Purdue’s last eight road losses.
If you are a Purdue fan, you have probably grown tired of seeing opposing fan bases storm their home courts after knocking off the Boilermakers.
Without question, over the last two seasons Purdue has had to set a record for court storms against, right?
Last year IU, Wisconsin, Rutgers and Michigan fan bases all spilled out onto the floor to celebrate their home wins over Purdue.
This year IU, Northwestern and Maryland fans all flooded the hardwood after beating Purdue.
Doubtful you will see any Boilermaker fan brag about witnessing all those court storms, but when you take a step back you realize it is a big-time source of flattery.
Over the last two seasons Purdue’s program has ascended to heights never before achieved.
For the first time ever the Boilermakers have been ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, and now done so in back-to-back years. Last season their stay was short-lived – just a couple of days until Rutgers half-court heave dethroned them. This season, however, Purdue has spent six weeks on the mountaintop, including four in a row prior to losing back-to-back road games to Northwestern and Maryland.
In addition, Purdue started this season off 22-1, its best in program history.
Thesecourt storms are a testament to the program Matt Painter has built in West Lafayette.
I know I know, Purdue hasn’t been to a Final Four since 1980 and has made one Elite Eight appearance in Painter’s previous 17 seasons at the helm to go along with six Sweet 16 appearances. However, his 2018-19 team came within one second of the Final Four. Who knows, had it not been for Virginia’s miraculous play to send that game into overtime, the Boilermakers very well could have won the national championship.
This season Purdue was supposed to be in reloading mode.
No one knew Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer would play like seasoned veterans instead of the freshmen that they are and 7-foot-4 junior Zach Edey’s game has continued to improve significantly to the point where barring something unforeseen he will be Purdue’s first National Player of the Year since Glenn Robinson was in 1994.
Yes, the Boilermakers have exceeded expectations this season.
With two weeks remaining in the regular season they have a sparkling 24-4 overall record, including 13-4 in the Big Ten. Purdue has the second-most Quad 1 wins in the country and are 6-3 in conference road games with only a trip to Madison to go.
The Boilermakers have definitely opened a lot of eyes this season and are getting plenty of respect.
After being unranked to start the season, Purdue has lived in the top 25 since.
In fact, a short time ago, the Boilermakers were ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, marking their 13th straight week as a top five team.
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi continues to have Purdue as one of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tounament.
Purdue would solidify a No. 1 seed by winning its final three regular-season games, which would also mean the Boilermakers would capture their league-leading 25th Big Ten championship. Their magic number to accomplish that feat is 2 with a pair of home games against Indiana and Illinois left along with a road trip to Wisconsin sandwiched in between.
Winning another league crown would be quite an accomplishment when most of us thought doing so was a long shot at best entering the season. After all, the Boilermakers lost a bulk of their offensive punch from a year ago, including NBA lottery pick Jaden Ivey.
In about two-and-a-half weeks, the Boilermakers will get a double bye for the Big Ten Tournament and if they take care of business will be the No. 1 seed at Chicago’s United Center.
I’m not a big fan of conference tournaments, but they do provide more games for fans to enjoy and will give Purdue an opportunity to play in its second consecutive Big Ten Tournament championship game and a chance to capture its second Big Ten Tournament title ever.
Winning Big Ten championships are great, but the mindset in West Lafayette seems to have really changed. Now it’s all about winning in that one tournament … the NCAA Tournament.
Win two in a row and you advance to the second weekend and the Sweet 16.
Win four and you’re headed to Houston this year, the site of the Final Four.
Win six and you are the last team standing cutting down the nets.
Believe it or not, in just over three weeks, March Madness will be upon us.
Selection Sunday will take place March 12. Once the brackets are revealed teams like Purdue will know who its playing, where its headed and its path to the Final Four.
Don’t forget, the NCAA Tournament is all about match ups.
No team in America can match up with Edey. In all likelihood, he will be the National Player of the Year and be a handful for any opponent in the Big Dance.
Physical teams tend to pose a problem for the Boilermakers, and just how physical officials allow teams to play will be very important come March.
The bottom line is, Purdue will go as far as its freshmen guards take it.
No doubt Purdue’s NCAA Tournament hopes will live and die with those rookie guards and how well as a team Purdue shoots it and how well it takes care of the basketball.
Is this the year the Boilermakers’ 42-year Final Four drought ends? We’re about to find out.
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