Nearly two weeks ago, Purdue’s prospects for a long March Madness run looked poor, and Illinois’ appeared worse.
Matt Painter’s Purdue crew was suffering through the program’s first four-game losing streak in five years. Meanwhile, Brad Underwood’s bunch was dealing with national ridicule after taking a 43-point beatdown from Duke — the largest loss in Illinois’ 120-year history.
But look at what a fabulous fortnight can do.
As the 18th-ranked Boilermakers (21-9, 13-6) and the Illini (19-11, 11-8) prepare for their Big Ten Conference regular-season finale Friday night in Champaign, Ill., both squads have regained the swagger necessary to make some amazing March memories.
Illinois worked out its anger over the 110-67 loss to Duke on Feb. 22 at Madison Square Garden by burying Iowa and then-No. 15 Michigan by 20 points apiece.
“I couldn’t be prouder of a group of guys than I am this group,” Underwood said. “After New York, it would have been very easy to pitch a tent and say, ‘We’re done. We don’t want to fight very hard.’
“This group has done just the opposite. (We had) some of the best practices of the year. Nice to be able to practice. But just to get the energy back in practice, it allows you to improve and get better.”
Illinois’ most tangible improvement came at the 3-point line. After shooting just 26.2 percent from long range in the previous 12 games, the Illini shot 37.8 percent (14 of 37) in a 93-73 victory over Michigan.
Purdue, meanwhile, got its groove back by beating UCLA and Rutgers at home. In Tuesday’s 100-71 win over the Scarlet Knights, junior point guard Braden Smith — the favorite to win Big Ten Player of the Year honors — posted 23 points, nine assists, seven 3-pointers and five rebounds in 32 minutes.
Perhaps Purdue’s best number, at least from Painter’s perspective, came on the glass. The Boilermakers outrebounded Rutgers 40-26.
“We can’t get to the point of getting into transition and getting (Rutgers) on their heels if we don’t get turnovers and we don’t get rebounds,” Painter said. “Now we’re getting ready to have maybe the greatest challenge in that area because Illinois is the best rebounding team in the country. They put on an exhibition (at Michigan) crashing the glass and just being quick to the basketball.”
The Illini average 42.9 rebounds per game, second in the nation to Alabama’s 43.7. Illinois ourebounded Michigan 43-32.
Illinois already knows it would have to win four games in four days to repeat as Big Ten tournament champion. If the Illini lose Friday to Purdue, they’ll likely be the No. 8 seed and will meet either Indiana or Ohio State in Thursday’s second-round opener. If the Illini beat Purdue, they could rise as high as the No. 6 seed.
The Boilermakers are tied with Wisconsin and Maryland for third place in the league. Illinois is tied with Oregon for seventh place.
The Big Ten tournament will take place March 12-16 in Indianapolis.
–Field Level Media
