College basketball is a long grinding season.
But it can be argued for Purdue, no game is, potentially, bigger for the Boilermakers than Sunday’s clash at Wisconsin.
With first place in the Big Ten on the line, the Badgers enter at 16-5 overall, 8-2 in the Big Ten and are ranked sixth in the AP Poll. Purdue, on the other hand, comes in ranked second in the nation and with a 20-2 overall, 9-2 Big Ten mark. The Badgers enter fresh off a disappointing road loss at Nebraska, while Purdue needed overtime to get past Northwestern the last time out.
Badgers are loaded with weapons
Wisconsin is winning this year with a mix of experience, transfers and freshmen. Leading the unit is AJ Storr, who transferred from St. John’s and is averaging 16.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.
“Storr gives them someone who can score the basketball. They have people who can score the basketball, but he gives them one more,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said.
What makes Storr special?
“He can make threes, can make pullups and get to the basket,” Painter said.
In addition to Storr, Wisconsin has freshman guard John Blackwell, who averages 8.2 points. Blackwell shoots 50 percent from behind the arc and has earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors three times. Max Klesmit, Steve Crowl and Chucky Hepburn are the veterans.
“They have a lot of weapons. Any one of their starters can have a career night. Sometimes you know if you can shut these two guys down, you can beat them. That’s not the case with Wisconsin. They have a lot of weapons,” Painter said.
Boilermakers have Zach Edey
Purdue will counter with reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey, who is scoring 23.4 points per game and ripping down 11.6 rebounds per game. Against Northwestern, he shot 17 free throws.
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said the Purdue big man makes it tough to prepare for.
“You can’t replicate him because we don’t have anybody that big. It’s not only just him. It is the other pieces they have. Matt has always done a really good job schematically of putting you in some tough decision making positions of where other guys are on the floor,” Gard said.
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