In the words of Bill S. Preston Esq. and Ted Theodore Logan: “69 dude.” At the end of regulation, that was the tied score between #4 Purdue and #17 Illini basketball. In order to get there, the Boilermakers blew a 65-58 lead, when 12th year senior (not literally, but that is what it feels like at this point) Sasha Stefanovic hit a big three with 2:47 left in the regulation.
The Boilers biggest lead was 13, as they took a 37-26 lead into the second half. They did not trail after the 4:05 mark in the first time OT. The final score read 96-88 Purdue, with the visitors getting the signature road W after not one, but two overtimes.
It was a massive game on a banner day, for multiple reasons. It was basically the Big Ten championship game, broadcast nationally on FOX. It saw the return of Andre Curbelo, who scored 20, rebounded 6 and dished out three assists in 25 minutes.
It also saw the return of NBA veteran Meyers Leonard, who addressed the media on issues that far transcend mere basketball.
Let’s dive right in, and cover Purdue beating Illini basketball in their building for the first time in four tries (since 2018).
Ridiculous Rankings Rubbish
As for the llini, their NET, KenPom etc. just doesn’t match up with their standing in the polls. The Illini are currently 11 in KenPom, Sagarin and Net, but #17 in both polls.
“We’re not top 25, but top ten,” said Illini basketball three point specialist Alfonso Plummer. “at the end of the season we’re going to be better, and ready for the NCAA Tournament.
Added Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk: “We showed the entire country that we belong, but obviously a loss stinks.”
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.