More Than a Game: Purdue Vs Indiana: Part 2

The frost will set on the tents outside of Mackey Arena, as the Paint Crew, and the Purdue Boilermakers, prepare to do battle against the Indiana Hoosiers, in a Senior Night match-up for the bragging rights of the state.  

The Boilermaker faithful will have it's last chance to see Senior Keaton Grant, Mark Wholford, and Chris Kramer play on Keady Court.  

The two teams met in a close hard fought match-up at the beginning of February at Assembly Hall.  JaJuan Johnson and Robbie Hummel led the Boilermakers with 21 points each. Verdall Jones III led the Hoosiers with a game high 22 points.  Tom Prichard also had a season high 13 points against the Boilermakers.

This time the Boilermakers will be without star junior forward Robbie Hummel, as he is out with a season ending ACL injury against Minnesota. I expect this not to hurt the Boilermakers as much in this game.  Although the outside presence will be missing and the height, the Boilermakers are more athletic, and have more experience than the Hoosiers.

Expect JaJuan Johnson to make a resurgence at home, using IU as an opportunity to tee off on someone.  Johnson is 5 for 24 in his last 2 home games.  This shooting slump will end during the Indiana game. Johnson will come out motivated to take out some frustration from his poor rebounding and shooting performance against Michigan State.

Chris Kramer should have a big game as his last home game as a Boilermaker.  Coming off of a stellar performance against Michigan State, the Boilermaker's all time steals leader is going to continue playing well.  The emotions will be running high, and expect him to be making the most of it.

E'twaun Moore had a terrible game against Michigan State and expect him to bounce back.  He has the potential to destroy IU guards with his slashing style similar to Evan Turner of Ohio State.

After some horrendous turnovers against Michigan State, Keaton Grant will come out ready to play. It will be his last game in Mackey, and he will make the most of it.  The Paint Crew will be jingling their keys as he will make some huge shots in this one.

This writer was impressed by the play of Patrick Bade against MSU.  Although he missed some easy shots, he still showed some great improvement.  He was moving around, and making cuts to the basket.  Don't be surprised, if the Boilermakers get a lead early, if Matt Painter plays both Bade and Johnson to get some experience.

This game will not be close.  After giving it everything they had against Purdue, the Indiana Hoosiers have basically given up.  

I would be embarrassed to be a Hoosier fan with the recent play of IU. The losing streak is now up to 10 games.  The last 7 of those losses have been by double digit margins. Even losing to Wisconsin on their home floor by 28 points, in a game Tom Crean was sent to the locker room clapping.   

The Hoosier's recent collapse is embarrassing not only to the university, but also to the Big Ten conference.  

I don't expect the Hoosiers just to roll over for us like Sadam's Army in 1991, but to give us a fight.  I expect Indiana to keep it close in the first half, but then for Purdue to take control in a rocking Mackey Arena.

The Boilermakers will win 67 to 49 as Purdue sends Tom Crean, back to Bloomington crying, and telling recruits they are better than Dwayne Wade.

I will end with a quote from IU graduate Bill Benner of the Indianapolis Star, 

"Because the fact is, my dear fellow IU alumni, Purdue is flat kicking our sorry Hoosier tails.In athletics. In academic reputation.  In spirit. In image. In fund-raising. In tangibles. In intangibles.  It is no contest. Boilermakers everywhere are enjoying a hearty last  laugh. I never thought I'd say it, but the bumper sticker I long ago detested is true.Purdue is THE Indiana University."