GBI Express

They just left the Wolverines' seniors stinging. "It's one of those things where the emotion of the game is so high because it's the last time playing at home," Hummel said after beating Michigan. So we can definitely learn from this." "We didn't play well at Penn State earlier in the year, so we don't need any more motivation, but this is something we can look at and try to learn from." Purdue also would relish a chance to end the regular season by spoiling Indiana's Senior Night Sunday, in doing so also repaying the Hoosiers for their victory in Mackey this season. "I think we're finally starting to click on all cylinders here," Smith said. "Hopefully we can keep it going." j presents The Opening Tip The following are our thoughts now, as Purdue preps for postseason play. • Kyle Charters: "Brittany Rayburn has one last opportunity for a Big Ten title, but the Boilermakers have a hard road toward the tournament championship game on Sunday. If seeds hold, Michigan State and regular-season champ Penn State stand in the way." • Stacy Clardie: "Best week of Purdue basketball of the season last week? The men got their signature victory, and the women got untracked heading into the Big Ten Tournament. It's certainly a good time to get rolling." • Alan Karpick: "It's a good thing that Purdue changed its Senior Day ceremonies until after the game, as I think that will help to make sure there won't be a letdown on Wednesday. Still, saying good-bye to these three seniors will be very difficult for all associated with Boilermaker basketball in the past five years." • Brian Neubert: "Purdue's gone from a team just scrambling to sneak into the NCAA Tournament to a team that looks like it can beat people once it's there. It's a credit to the program's seniors that this season never went off the rails, because there were plenty of opportunities for it to. I would not bet against Robbie Hummel right now."" "I know this is a huge win for us to get a signature win on our résumé. So that was big. I think we are (in the NCAAs), but we have a game on Wednesday against Penn State, which is a huge game for us. We didn't play well up there so we can get those guys back." Robbie Hummel after Purdue's win at No. 11 Michigan Andy Lyons/Getty Images This Week In Purdue Basketball S How much do you think Matt Painter will talk to his team about staying "on edge" this week after that huge victory over 11th-ranked Michigan? Purdue got the victory it was seeking all season by beating a ranked opponent for the first time — it was 0-for-7 until then — but it will mean little if the Boilermakers don't take care of business in their home finale Wednesday. A loss to lowly Penn State (again) would be devastating and could undo any NCAA Tournament kudos gained by beating the Wolverines at their place. So, surely, Painter may not be pleasant with his team heading into this week. Emotions with be high on Senior Night against the Nittany Lions with Robbie Hummel, Lewis Jackson and Ryne Smith playing their final game in Mackey Arena. But Purdue knows that the special night doesn't secure anything: Just ask Michigan. In the Painter Era, the Boilermakers are 4-2 on Senior Night. And it's not like a game against one of the Big Ten's worst teams could be a trap game … not with only Indiana waiting after that in the regular-season finale. Purdue must be locked in this week. And with the way Hummel and Co. have played of late — they're winners of four of the last five — here's guessing that won't be an issue. S Sharon Versyp's team had to close the regular season with some momentum, and it did. The Boilermakers beat Michigan in Ann Arbor and sent the seniors out in style on Senior Day with a 90-58 whipping of the rival Hoosiers.  Now the focus turns back to a championship. With its two victories last week, Purdue was able to secure a bye for the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. And with the way it played against the top two seeds — it had a chance to beat Penn State and Ohio State late in regulation  — the Boilermakers should have some confidence they can capture their first tourney title since 2008. Guard KK Houser went as far as proclaiming, "We're back," after beating the Hoosiers. — Stacy Clardie OR Tim Frazier can be a handful for opponents, as he's one of the Big Ten's best offensive players. But Penn State has provided little other help for him. GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 22, express 23  •  2

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