SPORTS
Something’s got to give against Boilermakers
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Dave McGrath:
Related Stories:
- Badgers attempt to break 21-year losing streak at Mackey Arena (February 25, 2005)
- Wisconsin looks to get ahold of Big Ten competition (February 2, 2007)
- One shot from starting 3-0 (January 19, 2004)
- Purdue returns to Madison searching for payback (October 21, 2005)
- Purdue boils UW women's basketball (January 30, 2004)
by Dave McGrath
Friday, February 3, 2006
Whoever first used the expression "the grass is always greener on the other side" clearly didn't mean for it to apply this weekend for the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team.
The Badgers (15-6, 5-3 Big Ten) will visit Purdue Saturday (7-13, 1-8 Big Ten) at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind., for the only regular season meeting between the two schools.
As bad as things have gotten for UW since Jan. 18, when they lost Greg Stiemsma and Marcus Landry for the season due to academic ineligibility, they can look across the pasture and say with great confidence that the Boilermakers have it worse. Much worse.
Wisconsin has lost four of its last five contests. Well, Purdue has lost nine of their last ten. The Badgers have had to deal with a depleted roster and players playing hurt, leaving them with a shaky eight-man rotation. The Boilermakers have only nine healthy players left on the roster.
And while the last thing UW and its fans has had to worry about is its coach, Bo Ryan, Purdue is in its first season after the departure of Gene Keady, the face of the program for the past quarter century. In his place is Matt Painter, who is a disciple of Illinois head coach Bruce Weber.
In short, Purdue has problems.
"They've had some turnover," Ryan said, though the coach in his fifth-year at UW refused to call Purdue a rebuilding team or a team in a down year, citing the close games they have been in.
"They've had some teams on the ropes," Ryan said. "We've always been impressed with how Purdue is playing [other teams], knowing that they are young and going through some things with length of bench and all that."
Purdue has had the opportunity to win several more games than they have won. The Boilermakers have lost four games by 10 points or less and Wednesday night they looked primed to take down Iowa, who is tied for first in the conference.
The Boilermakers have lost three of their top players this season, including Nate Minnoy (knee injury), freshman Korey Spates (dismissed from team) and all-conference performer Carl Landry (knee injury), brother of UW's Marcus.
In their place, senior forward Matt Kiefer has stepped up and is one of the Big Ten's most improved players this year.
"Apparently he really worked on his game in the offseason, it's his senior year and he is determined to make it work for them," said senior Ray Nixon.
Kiefer is averaging a team-high 12.2 points and 7.6 rebounds a game and has improved upon both numbers in the Big Ten season.
"You've got some experience in Kiefer," Ryan said. "You've got a post player that can shoot the ball."
Kiefer has not only improved his game statistically, but has taken it upon himself to try and lead the struggling Boilermakers through the season.
"Kiefer is one of those go-to guys and he is really stepping it up now in his senior year," Flowers said. "He's done a real good job of getting his players under him and his coach has given him the freedom to go out there and lead the team."
The only other Boilermaker averaging double-figures in points is Connecticut transfer Marcus White, who is averaging 10.8 points a game, mostly coming off the bench.
The triumvirate of Chris Lutz, Chris Hartley and Dillion Bryant leads the Purdue guards. All three have started at least six Big Ten games and are considered good perimeter defenders. Bryant leads the team in assists, posting an average of 2.8 a game.
"Their guards are really unselfish. They look for openings for other guys and they are really solid," sophomore guard Michael Flowers said.
"There are still some names on there that people remember as being pretty good players," Ryan said. "They've had games where they have played extremely well. But, sometimes records aren't indicative of that. Purdue's a good team, especially at home."
Purdue has especially played well at home against Wisconsin, where until last year's 77-68 win in Mackey Arena, the Badgers had lost 29 straight in West LaFayette, a streak that dated back to 1972.
"We were fortunate to win there last year. Right now, we we're kind of struggling, but this is going to be a great game to come back and try to rebound on," Nixon said. "They have a couple key players out, but they are still a good team. They can still give anybody a good run."
