GBI Express

The Authority on Purdue Athletics volume 22, EX 23 • FEB. 27, 2012 In this issue: Making A Statement • Pages 1-3: Opening Tip • Pages 6-8: Featuring Lewis Jackson • Page 26: Q&A with Tim Tibesar Purdue gets key win heading into Senior Night BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com T here must have been sighs of relief to go with feelings of elation. Purdue was missing one major element to its NCAA Tournament résumé entering last week: A signature victory. And, finally, after seven tries against ranked teams this season, the Boilermakers secured one. With its 75-61 victory over No. 11 Michigan Saturday in Ann Arbor, Purdue would seem to have cemented its spot in the NCAA Tournament barring a shocking loss in its home finale against Penn State Wednesday. "It's an unbelievable feeling," senior Ryne Smith said after the victory in Crisler Arena. "We got a lot of good things from a lot of guys. "They're a great team. They play extremely hard. To come in here and get a win is really rewarding." And, now, the attention turns squarely to what likely will be an emotional night in Mackey Arena. Seniors Robbie Hummel, Lewis Jackson and Smith will play their final game in West Lafayette when the Boilermakers face Big Tom Campbell Ten cellar-dweller Penn State. Seniors Robbie Hummel, Ryne Smith and Lewis Jackson had plenty to smile about in the final seconds of a victory over Nebraska at home last week. They had even more reason after snagging a signature victory over the Wolverines Saturday in Ann Arbor. GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com It's a trio that's been through quite a journey, offering stories of redemption and vindication from each perspective. Hummel, part of Coach Matt Painter's signature signing class in 2007, has showed the resiliency to rebound from a pair of devastating anterior cruciate ligament tears in his right knee and surge in the last two weeks of his fifth year, leading Purdue's charge to the Tournament. Jackson's rise from a rough neighborhood in Decatur, Ill., has been defined by toughness. He showed a willingness to come back early from a mangled foot as a sophomore and then to battle through a severe back injury as a senior to shine as the team's leader. Smith's ability to play at a Big Ten level was doubted from Day 1, but few accounted for his dogged approach to improving his game. With that determination, he worked his way into a consistent starter and key contributor as an upperclassman. Each a star in his own way. Each a pivotal piece to the team's strong run in the second half of league play. Each eager to finish his career with a flourish. "There's a lot of the guys on the team that I'm very close with," Hummel said. "That's why if we were able to make a run this year, it'd be very special." Inside The Numbers 0 The number of games in Terone Johnson's 63-game Boilermaker career in which he's been perfect on at least four attempts from the free-throw line prior to Saturday in Ann Arbor. Purdue's victories on the road in Senior Day games during the Matt Painter Era ('08 Michigan, '10 Penn State, '12 Michigan). Can IU be one more? The number of times Purdue has beaten a Michigan team ranked as high as No. 11 in Crisler Arena. That's tops among Boilermaker opponents with Michigan State second with three. Seasons in which Purdue's women's basketball program has recorded 20 or more wins. The Boilers picked up their 20th and 21st victories in 2011-12 last week. Purdue's record in the five years that Robbie Hummel has been part of the Boilermaker basketball program. 3 4 20 126-43 The Boilermakers will look to continue rolling against the Nittany Lions on Wednesday. But they know, too, it's possible to lose on Senior Night. Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 22, express 23  •  1

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