Purdue’s Quest for Big Ten Tournament Title Begins Friday
BIG TEN QUARTERFINALS GAMEDAY INFO
[3] Purdue (26-5) vs. [6] Indiana OR [11] Minnesota OR [14] Rutgers
Friday, March 2, 2018 / Big Ten Network / Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery
New York, New York / Madison Square Garden (19,812)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – No. 3-seeded and No. 8-ranked Purdue begins its quest for its second Big Ten Tournament title Friday as it will face either Indiana, Minnesota or Rutgers in the quarterfinal round at Madison Square Garden.
Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery will provide the commentary on the Big Ten Network, tipping off at 9 p.m. ET. Larry Clisby and Rob Blackman will handle the radio broadcast on the Purdue Radio Network. The game will also be available nationally via Compass Media Networks with Drew Bontadelli and Rick Mahorn on the call. Fans can receive in-game updates on Purdue Basketball’s official Twitter account (@BoilerBall) and live stats will be available on PurdueSports.com.
Purdue has righted the ship with a three-game winning streak including an impressive performance against Minnesota in its last outing. The Boilermakers recorded their first double-digit win since Jan. 20, with an 84-60 triumph over the Golden Gophers.
Purdue last won the tournament in 2009, as the No. 3 seed. The Boilermakers hope history repeats itself in the Big Apple.
Season in Review
• Purdue has had an outstanding season so far and looks to keep it going in New York City.
• The Boilermakers enter the tournament with a 26-5 overall mark and finished 15-3 in the Big Ten.
• After starting the year 4-2 with losses to Tennessee and Western Kentucky in the Battle 4 Atlantis, Purdue rattled off 19 straight wins with victories over Arizona, Louisville, Butler and Michigan (2x).
• The Boilermakers then lost three straight by a total of eight points, but have now won three straight games by getting back to their roots. Purdue is averaging 84.3 points in its last three games.
• Four players earned All-Big Ten honors Monday, led by Carsen Edwards‘ first-team selection. Vincent Edwards was named second team, Isaac Haas to the third team and Dakota Mathiaswas an All-Defensive Team honoree.
• Carsen Edwards is a finalist for the Jerry West Award, Vincent Edwards for the Julius Erving Award and Isaac Haas for the Kareem Adbul-Jabbar Award. The Edwards’ duo are also on the Wooden Watch.
• Head coach Matt Painter is a semifinalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award.
The Numbers to Know
• 3: Weekly honors won by Carsen Edwards (POW – Big Ten, Oscar Robertson, March Madness).
• 3: Purdue’s tournament seed — same as it was when it won only tournament title (2009).
• 5: 3-ptrs. needed by Dakota Mathias to tie Purdue’s career 3PM record (243 – E’Twaun Moore).
• 6: Largest second-half deficit in Big Ten play this season, which came at the end of Wisconsin.
• 8: Purdue’s AP ranking, the eighth straight week that Purdue has been ranked in the top 10.
• 14: Consecutive double-figure scoring games for Carsen Edwards (19.9 PPG in that span).
• 15: Combined margin of defeat in Purdue’s four losses this season (3, 4, 1, 3, 4 points).
• 15: No. of 3-pointers made last year against Arizona State in the Jimmy V Classic, played at MSG.
• 22: Consecutive Purdue wins when shooting at least 48.0 percent from the field (19-0 this year).
• 100: Wins by the senior class, becoming the fourth class with 100 career victories.
• 4,891: Combined career points by Purdue’s senior class (36.2 points per game for career).