After playing so well in their first two games of the Big Ten Conference Basketball Tournament this past week at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Purdue Boilermakers ran into a buzz saw on Sunday afternoon against Michigan and the Wolverines came away with a 75-66 victory. The most notable difference in the game came from beyond the arch, as Michigan outscored the Boilermakers 24-12 on three point attempts, shooting 34.8% (8-23) compared to 23.5% (4-17).
You have to give Michigan credit where credit is due, winning back to back tournament titles and four straight games this year in the tourney. As for the Boilermakers, you can’t use tired legs as an excuse if you have played one less game than your opponent has. Everybody knows what a grind this tournament is to get to the championship game, just like it will be when the NCAA tournament begins.
I expect Head Coach Matt Painter to have his boys ready to go for the big prize, as they will have extra time to rest up and practice with this coming week off before the pairings are released next Sunday. Where Purdue ends up as a seed, I don’t know for sure, but I would expect them to end up with at least a #4 seed, depending on how other conference tournaments play out this weekend.
