After weeks of analyzing various computer ratings, RPI rankings and NCAA Tournament projections, the Purdue Boilermakers finally have their shot.
Through it all, Matt Painter’s team has remained steadfast and consistent in the face of endless discussion regarding their fitness for an NCAA Tournament bid. In a few hours, the Boilermakers have a chance to fire a final salvo proving the legitimacy of their Big Dance resume.
It won’t be easy. After all, the Big 10 Champion Wisconsin Badgers stand in the way at Chicago’s United Center. Nevertheless, it would be hard to blame Purdue if they don’t view today’s Big 10 Tournament Semifinal as the final act in a play that has been about getting back to the tournament for the first time since 2012.
Heading into today’s game, the Boilermakers stand at 21-11 overall. They went 12-6 during the Big 10 regular season slate while gaining a top-4 seed for the conference’s annual tournament. Purdue also finished as one of the Big 10’s best defensive teams, limiting opponents to just 39.8 percent shooting from the field this season. Yet their RPI rating, which has hovered in the mid-to-high 50s for most of the season, has provided enough consternation for fans to be understandably nervous about Selection Sunday.
With the unveiling of the 68-team field just hours away, Purdue finally has the opportunity seal their return to the tournament. The question now is whether the Boilermakers can win their biggest game of the year against the juggernaut that is Bo Ryan’s Badgers.
The two teams met once earlier this season, which ended in a 62-55 Badger win at the Kohl Center in Madison. In a tightly contested affair that featured plenty of back-and-forth basketball, Wisconsin finally pulled through late, making several key free throws down the stretch to hold on for the victory. Frank Kaminsky paced four Badgers in double-figures with 21 points while Jon Octeus led Purdue with 15 points.
How will this contest unfold? It would be surprising if attendees aren’t treated to another nip-and-tuck matchup. Unlike most of their Big 10 brethren, the Boilermakers have enough size inside with A.J. Hammons to present some issues for Wisconsin. They also play tight defense and have a reliable three-point presence from the outside in Kendall Stephens.
With that said, conference tournament basketball is more about intangibles. There won’t be any surprises from either side this time around. Both the Badgers and Boilermakers have undoubtedly studied each other in-depth heading into today’s matchup. It’s simply up to the players on both sides to play with heart and determination with a dose of execution sprinkled in.
If today’s encounter truly comes down to intangibles, Painter and his team probably feel pretty confident. Purdue has already had to battle back from a non-conference schedule that saw them drop home games to North Florida and Gardner-Webb. To their credit, the Boilermakers steadied the ship and put together an impressive run through the conference slate.
However, Purdue is still battling to stay on the right side of the dreaded NCAA bubble. In a few hours, the Boilermakers will have one final chance to show the Selection Committee they belong in the field of 68. A win over the Badgers, who are destined for either a one or two-seed in the NCAAs, would almost guarantee a spot in college basketball’s annual celebration of the sport.
The question now is whether Purdue can take that final step in their biggest game of the season.
Matt Johnson is a Big 10 basketball writer for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter at mattytheole or “like” him on Facebook.
