Boilermaker Breakdown (at Michigan – Feb. 26)

Michigan 87 – Purdue 78

Lights-out shooting by the Wolverines and the Boilers’ inability to adjust to the foul calling allowed Michigan to run away with the game and all but end Purdue’s Big Ten title hopes.

Michigan shot 63 percent for the game, including over 80 percent in the second half.

The Wolverines were pouring in shots while JaJuan Johnson was watching from the bench. The sophomore center played only 14 minutes due to foul trouble.

To make matters worse, Nemanja Calasan, Purdue’s only other post player, did not play due to a sinus infection.

That left the Boilers playing most of the game with 6-8 forward Robbie Hummel as the tallest player on the floor. The small lineup had no answer for Michigan’s DeShawn Sims inside as he put up 29 points on the Boilers.

Purdue’s defense was unusually porous as the 87 points tied Oklahoma for the most allowed all season. However, Oklahoma needed overtime to get to 87.

While it was a depressing game for Purdue fans as the Big Ten title is essentially out of reach, there are some positives that can be taken out of this game.

What the Boilers did well:

Shooting from the Field

Purdue shot almost 46 percent and scored 78 points. If you told me that before the game I would have thought Purdue would have won easily. They struggled at times against the 1-3-1 zone Michigan runs, but also exploited it for easy buckets.

While the three-point shooting remains a bit of a struggle, they have done a good job on the offensive end as of late.

Where the Boilers struggled:

Defense

Indiana shot 50 percent from the floor and scored 67 points on Sunday, and Michigan followed that with 63 percent and 87 points.

Purdue has struggled the last two games in what is usually their strongest area.

While Manny Harris did make some very difficult shots, Michigan scored with regularity from the inside. Indiana did this as well and it is a problem that must get better quickly.

Other than this Purdue did a decent job in all other areas. They just could not get a stop to close the gap Michigan had built.

 Player of the Game

Robbie Hummel

Welcome back Mr. Hummel.

This was arguably Robbie’s best game of the season and is the best thing Purdue can take out of the game.

Hummel played 39 minutes and scored 24 points. He put in a full practice on the day before the game and his recent play and comments after the game show that he is feeling the best he has felt since early in the season.

His play in this game at least gives Boiler fans some optimism for the upcoming tournaments.

Where They Stand

Purdue will need to win their remaining three games and have Michigan State lose to either Illinois or Indiana to have a shot at the Big Ten title.

They still are in good position to earn a top three seed in the Big Ten tournament.

I would probably give the Boilers a five seed in the NCAA tournament if the season ended today, but they have the ability to move up with solid play in the last three games and Big Ten tourney.

Up Next and Prediction

Purdue gets a rematch with Ohio State tomorrow after an overtime loss in Columbus earlier this year.

The Boilers were without the services of Robbie Hummel in that game and still had a chance to win the game in regulation.

This Purdue team is not going to be in a good mood after the Michigan loss and will want to respond with a good showing.

Having a healthy Hummel will make a huge difference in this game as he will be able to shoot threes against their zone and help on the defensive end against Evan Turner.

I see a close game here but Purdue will pull it out in the end behind the play of the sophomores.

Purdue 68 – Ohio State 63