Ohio State-Purdue: Red Hot Hummel Not Enough To Stop Surging Buckeyes

Super Tuesday's schedule was set with some big matchups: Purdue vs. Ohio State, and more importantly Florida vs. Kentucky.

Purdue came into Mackey Arena the odds-on favorite to basically outplay Ohio State and take home the easy victory. After watching the first half, that was the story that seemed to be unfolding.

Although the Boilermakers were winning convincingly, the more impressive story that unfolded was Robbie Hummel's eight three-point shots in the first half, tying a school record. 

Normally 28 percent on field-goal range for the season, Hummel came out all guns blazing, as he scored the equal amount of points that the Buckeyes had in the first half.

The second half proved otherwise, though. From what always looked like to be a physical game became even more brutal as foul after foul on the baseline occurred. 

One thing that Boilermaker fans weren't counting on though was for their team to sit back and simply watch "The Hummel Show" unfold before their very eyes.

Missed bucket after missed bucket for both sides, the Buckeyes quietly crept back within reach. With a fightback that looked promising, the Buckeyes snatched the lead late in the second half. 

With a late reach-in foul committed by Purdue to send Ohio State to the line, the Buckeyes hit both free-throws and took a convincing 70-66 win.

Unexpected? Yes.

Defense was the key though, at least for Purdue. The first half the Boilermakers looked great, spreading the ball around and getting it into the hot hands of Robbie Hummel to drain three-pointer after three-pointer. 

Eventually though, the Boilermakers tired out. Instead of playing balanced basketball, they played sloppy basketball. Foul after foul, error after error, it's no wonder the Buckeyes managed to creep in and steal one.

With Hummel only taking four points in the second half, the Boilermakers took their second loss on the season. 

With a previous loss to the Badgers and now a loss to the Buckeyes, the Final Four is becoming more and more out of reach as Purdue is guaranteed to drop significantly in the rankings.

Hats off to Ohio State though, their never die attitude along with Evan Turner's impressive performance guided them to a win that they so desperately needed. 

As for Purdue, their upcoming schedule is not kind to them. With Northwestern, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana coming up, their season may be over before they even know it.