Purdue basketball player Spike Albrecht is 10-2 in NCAA Tournament play (5-1 at Michigan in 2012-13; 3-1 at Michigan in 2013-14; 2-0 at Purdue in 2016-17). Yes, the graduate student guard is a bit down on the depth chart.
He’s not a major minutes guy by any means. So why lead with Albrecht?
Well, he’s known for unexpectedly turning in a stellar performance, on a huge stage. He’s a guy who got it done when nobody saw it coming, and tomorrow night it’s that kind of situation for the Purdue Boilermakers.
They’re facing the top seeded Kansas Jayhawks in their home away from home in a sweet 16 game, and thus find themselves substantial underdogs.
Also, Albrecht is the best soundbite and overall most interesting guy to talk to on this Purdue basketball team. Have a listen to our exclusive with him at this link.
Obviously, he probably won’t be the biggest difference maker in this game, but his veteran influence and savvy will no doubt have a positive impact on his teammates.
#Purdue must face top seed Kansas in Kansas City in #SWEET16 #marchmadness thus I say pic.twitter.com/olAiudh5Qc
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) March 19, 2017
It will be in the proverbial “things that don’t show up in the stat sheet” kinda way.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
[4] Purdue (27-7) vs. [1] Kansas (30-4) / Midwest Region
Thursday, March 23, 2017 / 9:39 p.m. ET / CBS
TV Talent: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dan Bonner, Dana Jacobson
Kansas City, Mo. / Sprint Center (18,961)
SPREAD: Purdue basketball +5
Purdue Basketball Preview:
While Albrecht is the Boilermaker with the potential future in broadcasting, Caleb Swanigan is the polar opposite. He’s as taciturn and reserved a fellow as you’ll find among public figures with stature as large as his.
Biggie Swanigan has come up big in this NCAA Tournament thus far, just as we predicted he would when the tourney started. Having claimed the B1G player of the year and Basketball Times National Player of the Year awards, he’s also a finalist for the Naismith Award. He’s broken the Big Ten’s all-time double-double record with 28, set against Vermont (Jerry Lucas – 3 times; Brad Sellers – 26)
However, the key to this game likely lies in how the Purdue guards and wings perform in their individual match-ups with the Jayhawks. Leading the way here is Vince Edwards, who’s established himself as a star in his own right.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/843309941758840832
Edwards has been the high man in a few games down the stretch of the regular season, and in the postseason too.
Matt Painter earned his third Sweet 16 appearance and first since 2010 with two wins last weekend in Milwaukee which were impressive, but too close for comfort, for your given Purdue basketball fan. The ten point win over #13 seeded Vermont in the first round was a three possession game in just over a minute to go.
The win over #5 seeded Iowa State in the second round was an instant classic, but it featured the Boilers blowing a 19 point second half lead to fall behind by one late. That’s why they call it “survive and advance.”
Kansas Jayhawks Preview:
KU is led by Frank Mason, a definite rival with Biggie Swanigan for many national player of the year awards. Mason might be the best overall guard in the entire country. However, Josh Jackson, the top rated recruit in last year’s class, who picked KU over Michigan State, is their blue chip NBA Draft lottery prospect.
Here’s the link to our NBA mock draft, rounds one and two, along with some scouting reports on the Jayhawks stars.
2. Phoenix-Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas, 6-8, Fr.
The Suns appear to be set in the backcourt with Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker so add a talent wing in Josh Jackson. Jackson has elite athleticism and the ideal size to be a big-time NBA wing player. Go here for more on Jackson
45. Milwaukee-Frank Mason, PG, Kansas, 5-11, Sr.
Despite being a bit undersized, Mason is a veteran floor leader who can score or distribute as a lead guard.
If you haven’t watched KU this season, and this will be your first time tuning to the Jayhawks, you’ll notice that Perry Ellis is now gone, as he finally graduated.
Seeing a Jayhawks game with out Perry Ellis in it is like……..has there ever been KU hoops without Perry Ellis? I kid I kid, but no seriously, his freshman year he was coached by Dr. James Naismith, and the hoops were actually still peach baskets. Okay, these jokes are getting old now.
Bill Self’s boys pose a tremendous challenge, especially given how this will be a de facto home game for them. No doubt the Boilers will keep it close though, as KU has had a recent history of exiting the NCAA Tournament early, by losing to lower seeded teams.
Prediction: KU 73, Boilers 70
The end of the line for 2016-17 Purdue basketball, but certainly a year to be proud of. The Boilers will scrap with the Jayhawks down the final seconds, but come up short. No matter the result, it’s definitely been a year where you can truly say #BoilerUp and #HammerDown
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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