As a proud Boiler alum I have been really enjoying this college basketball season. Purdue started 14-0, then had a 3 game skid but responded by winning 10 straight. Going into last Wednesday’s game at Minnesota the Boilers record stood at 23-3 and were ranked number 3 in the country. Things were looking good.
Then with 7:10 remaining in the first half of Wednesday’s game Robbie Hummel was driving to the basket, planted his right foot and immediately crumbled to the ground. I was watching the game and texting with my dad when it happened. Right away I texted him “torn ligaments”, and unfortunately I was right. Torn ACL, out for the rest of the year.
The question now became, how would Purdue fair without its best all around player? We found out last night. Purdue couldn’t compete with Michigan State at home. They didn’t have any rhythm on offense, weren’t in proper position on defense, and lacked any sort of spark or fire that you need to win tough conference games. It wasn’t a good showing.
Hummel didn’t always have great statistical games, but he did things that don’t show up in box scores. He’s always in the right spot on defense, he makes the extra pass on offense, he’s a calming influence during hectic times of the game, and when needed can completely take over a game and carry his team to victory. Without him they will struggle, really struggle. They still have some talent and are capable of winning some games, but Hummel was the heart and soul of the team and I think this ends any hope they have of reaching the final four and getting a number one seed in the NCAA tournament.
My prediction: because of the good season Purdue has had so far, they will get a high seed and win a game or 2 in the Big Ten tournament and then get into the NCAA tournament as a 3 seed. They should get a first round win, but after that I think they are in jeopardy of losing in the second round and definitely don’t think they can make it past the sweet 16. Which will leave Boiler fans like myself wondering what might have been and keep us looking forward to next season.
Got to keep the faith!! While Hummel was a big loss no doubt I look at it like this and I hope the Boilermakers do the same. We had 3 stars, one more than anybody else in the league and one more than most top programs in the country. Losing Hummel brought us down to equal status with the rest of the teams, two stand outs with a good group of role players. It’s up to Painter now to do the coaching job he gets paid to do. Find a rotation that works in the remaining 2 league games and get inside the teams head and make sure they understand that they are still one of the top teams in the country.
As Painter himself said in an interview before the MS game Sunday. “As a coach I can’t look at what I don’t have. I have to look at what I’ve got. And, I have 2 All Americans, I’ve got Chris Kramer and I’ve got Keaton Grant who has been playing like an All American senior. I like what I’ve got and wouldn’t trade them with any other guys in the country”
I still believe Purdue has all the ingredients to make a strong run to the league tournament title and to the final 4. They just have to believe it too!!
Don’t count em out yet. BTFU! Fasel