Sure it’s easy to think in the moment of defeat, the world is on fire. After defeating Alabama and climbing the rankings to the number six spot in the country, Purdue has to refine itself, after a rough night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Boilermakers had a tough task this week, facing a stout Marquette team. Regardless of the outcome, the Boilermakers’ goals haven’t changed.
FINAL
First loss in the non-con since Dec. 2020, as Boilers shoot just 40.0 percent from the field, commit 15 turnovers.
: TKR – 16 pts, 8 rebs
— Purdue Men’s Basketball (@BoilerBall) November 20, 2024
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Things didn’t go the way Boilermaker fans have become accustomed to. Frankly, they were outplayed and outhustled by a Golden Eagle team led by elite-level defense. It can happen to the best of teams, and Purdue is still among that crowd. The post-play is what makes Purdue, go and for the first time this season, the lack of having freshman center Daniel Jacobsen showed up.
Boilermakers’ Goals Still Reachable, After First Non-Conference Loss Since 2020
As we have all seen from Matt Painter’s team they are a resilient group. In college basketball, especially in this era things aren’t always going to go your way. Sure Braden Smith had a rough night scoring the ball, who doesn’t sometimes? He wasn’t alone, and Purdue needs to stick to what they know, moving forward.
The best teams in the country always have a game here or there where they are outclassed on the court. It happens to National Championship contenders all the time. It’s no secret, that Will Berg has limitations. His size gives him an advantage, but he’s no Zach Edey. Not that Edey will ever be replicated. What the Boilermakers do have is Trey Kaufman-Renn. His ability around the basket is what will get this Purdue team far beyond a November loss.
A Four-Plus-Year Run was Snapped
To think this was the first time the Boilermakers lost a non-conference regular season game since 2020 is crazy. Up until Tuesday night, Purdue had won 39 straight non-conference games. That is nothing to frown at given some of the powerhouse teams they have played, including Alabama, and Gonzaga, to name a few. A loss on the road in a hostile environment isn’t anything to panic about for the boys from West Lafayette. Had it been at Mackey, then I would be a little concerned.
Tough Schedule Only Helps the Team
Like fellow Big Ten coach Tom Izzo, Painter has become accustomed to scheduling a tough non-conference. Painter spoke about the importance during the post-game press conference, and how even a loss to a high-level team only helps them come Big Ten time.
” For us, it’s wanting to be prepared for (Early Big Ten games in December). Don’t let those two games be your first crack at it. We played at Creighton in an exbition and they had a sellout. We went to Arkansas the year before. I don’t want this to be my first road game- I know it looked like it but it wasn’t,” Painter said. “It just helps. We had won 39 straight nonconference games, pretty impressive. But we also had the best player in college basketball for two years, so that helps also.”
Call Izzo and Painter crazy for tough scheduling, but they know what the positives are, not the negatives from a loss against a top-ranked team. It only better prepares you for the long game and the goal of winning championships.
Eyes on the Prize
The best takeaway for keeping the Boilermakers goals on track is that Fletcher Loyer has been consistent. He was the best takeaway from the defeat, as he had double-figure scoring for the fifth straight game. Not bad for a guy who didn’t score a thing in the National Championship game last April. To see him return to his consent scoring is a great sign for this team in the long run.
Smith continues to stir the drink at a high clip, and for this team to succeed, TKR has to be the focal point in the post. Small ball works and the Boilers have the horses to keep everyone else in the Big Ten at bay. So Boiler fans don’t let a November loss in Milwaukee worry you. This team still has everything in front of it, and until proven otherwise Purdue is the Big Ten’s best hope to end the 24-plus-year National Championship drought.
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