stephenrjking

March 24th, 2018 at 12:17 AM ^

Upsets are nice and all but Syracuse is just a horrible team to watch. And while I'd like a meteor to strike Omaha before the end of the game Sunday it will be a good game to watch.

Ajcoss

March 24th, 2018 at 12:24 AM ^

Hoping big 10 had 2 in Elite 8. They were screwed the second Haas went out. Regardless, doubt either of these 2 are taking out Nova. Haas out + Evans not 100%, these two teams aren’t what they were all season.

1VaBlue1

March 24th, 2018 at 12:24 AM ^

I feel really bad for Purdue. They were my only rooting interest tonight, and they never really stood a chance without Haas. I thought they'd still be a tough out, but TT made it look easy tonight. Congrats to them, you largely make your own luck, and they've played very well. Purdue gave up on this with about 12 minutes left. Good season, Purdue, you didn't deserve the Haas injury...

jmblue

March 24th, 2018 at 12:28 AM ^

I know Haas is out, but this is a sorry effort from Purdue.  Terrible ball movement, tons of sloppy mistakes like mishandled passes, a lot of hero ball - just not smart basketball tonight.

 

stephenrjking

March 24th, 2018 at 12:36 AM ^

My recollection is that they didn't have these issues against us; certainly not when we played in their place. 

Some credit has to go to TT, who is really good. But Haas was central to their philosophy and I don't think they ever really adapted to his absence, which I can't entirely blame them for. But it's telling that there was so much attention on him getting a brace that might work--the slight possibility that he could play seemed to leave them in a situation where they couldn't let go of what they did with him in the game.

 

jmblue

March 24th, 2018 at 1:02 AM ^

I'm sure this game would have been different with Haas.  Against a smallish TT defense he probably could have had a big night.  But it definitely seemed like they didn't know what to do without him, even though they had several days to prepare for this one.  They seemed totally out of sync.  Only Carsen Edwards seemed to rise to the occasion.

EDIT - just checked the box score.  Purdue had eight assists and 17 turnovers.  Ouch.

 

 

jmblue

March 24th, 2018 at 12:37 AM ^

If you're a Purdue fan you've got to be frustrated.  They were a top 5 team at one point and won 19 in a row.  But they finished in second place in the league, then lost the BTT title game, then lost in the Sweet 16.   The loss of Haas in the tournament was a tough blow but they were trending downward even before.  In the end they'll raise no banners for this season.

 

 

M-Dog

March 24th, 2018 at 12:48 AM ^

It's all about banners and cutting down nets.  That's just the way it is.

Historically, Purdue has been consistently very good.  They have won more regular season Big Ten Championships than anybody else.

But they fade in tournaments.

Michigan has not been consistent historically.  We've had hot and cold streaks over time. 

But we've done well in tournaments . . . A National Championship, 7 total Final Fours (so far), 3 Big Ten Tournament championships.

"Basketball School" Purdue would kill for that record.