WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – Purdue is still reeling from their loss to No. 21 Illinois Tuesday night. They led at halftime and then came out in the second half flat, missing their first seven shots from the field, including four straight on their opening possession.
After forcing ten first-half turnover’s, Purdue was only able to force four in the 2nd half. Ironically, the Boilers only turned the ball six times the whole game and once in the second half.
So, how did a one-point half time lead turn into a 17 point loss? One stat that really pops out is the rebound. Purdue was outrebounded 37-19. They also lacked effective shooting from the line, making just 13 of 21 attempts, while the Illini made 18 of 19.
Additionally, the Boilers lacked ball movement, tallying just eight-team assists to Illinois’ 18. The team as a whole shot 41% from the field, while Illinois was shooting 55%. Boiler big man, Matt Haarms was just 2-7 from the field and started out 1-4 at the line. Out of the Boler starting 5, none scored above 50% of their shots from the field.
It was just the Boilers 2nd loss at home this season and dropped them to 10th in the conference with a 3-5 record. Purdue is flirting with .500 right now, sitting at 10-9 on the season. They have a chance to climb back into the mix on Friday as they welcome the 12-7 Badgers into Mackey. Wisconson sits 5-3 in the conference, tied for 3rd.
Purdue hasn’t lost to Wisconsin at Mackey since 2014. Additionally, the Boilers took game one of the series earlier this January in an 84-80 road win in Maddison, their lone road win of the season to this point. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm at Mackey Arena.
Written by Adrian Beecher
