Bucky's 5th Quarter: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Around SBN: Defend That, Digger! The Overrated/underrated edition

Purdue's identity slashes Wisconsin's NCAA Tourney hopes

That was a case of the team with identity winning.

Wisconsin had Purdue on its heels. It had clawed back from a six point halftime deficit and had a five point advantage with just over three minutes. Right as Brent Musburger said something along the lines of "Hold on folks, this is NOT done, this Purdue team is too talented, TOO TALENTED folks to not put up a fight," the comeback commenced.

Keaton Grant hit a three. So did Chris Kramer. and Robbie Hummel. And that was it. Purdue never looked back. Hummel, the guy responsible for making the Kohl Center look vulnerable last season, help show again that your arena is only as good as you are.

The true difference down the stretch? Identity. The Boilermakers had reliable guys firing from downtown when it needed it most, guys it knew had a good chance at coming through for them. Wisconsin's last gasp effort down by two with under ten seconds involved its inexperienced freshman point guard wildly throwing the ball up with his left hand in the lane with eight seconds left.

At this point, the Badgers have absolutely no clue who to go to in that situation. I understand Jordan Taylor hit a couple of big shots against Iowa, and hasn't turned the ball over much in the Big Ten season, but that is really the best you can come up with? A team that starts two seniors, two juniors, and a sophomore, and you're having a freshman guard throwing up a prayer in the lane to tie it up?

And that's what it is. Purdue knew what it needed, knew who to go to, and converted down the stretch. After Adam Hoge speculated that the Badgers might not make the tournament, it appears as now that they are definitely on the outside looking in.

0 recs  |  Comment 0 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from Bucky's 5th Quarter

On the list of bad losses...

Jan 2009 by Adam Hoge - 0 comments

Around SB Nation

2009 Utes rewind

Dec 2009 from Block U - 0 comments

Morning Quack Fix: 2.12.09

Feb 2009 from Addicted To Quack - 55 comments

Morning Quack Fix: 1.22.09

Jan 2009 from Addicted To Quack - 21 comments

Around the Quack with ATQ

Jan 2009 from Addicted To Quack - 9 comments

Comments

Display:

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the unofficial online tavern of the Wisconsin Badgers. Please seat yourself.
Start posting about the Badgers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

1984tux_bt_small
Schofield Tears ACL
Small
The next seven games, and conference predictions
Small
Geography of a Big Ten Expansion
1222836270_small
Decade Heisman Trophy
Image-568x758-jpg_small
Big 10 Tour / Madison Recap Posted!

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


EDITOR

Wisconsin_logo_2003_small Adam Hoge

CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Small Bleed Wisconsin

Small Jbharris87

GRAPHIC GURU

340x_small lbluma

Official Partner of CBS Sports