Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/237702
VOLUME 24, EX 15 • JAN. 6, 2014 Inside | Boilers drop first two 6-11 | Football notes 18–19 Boilers in playoffs 20–21 | Recruiting news 22-23 Outnumbered Defensive deficiencies looming large for Purdue BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com B y winning at West Virginia and making third-ranked Ohio State sweat for 30-plus minutes, Purdue showed signs of having turned a corner of sorts. Whatever momentum it had gained, though, froze over in frigid Minneapolis, in an 82-79 loss at Minnesota that left the Boilermakers 0-2 in the Big Ten out of the chute. It's a disappointing beginning for a Boilermaker team that had opportunities both against the No. 3 Buckeyes and on Minnesota's home floor but couldn't capitalize. In Williams Arena Sunday, Purdue needed a spirited late rally to erase most of a 19-point secondhalf deficit and have a chance to tie at the buzzer. At the end of the day, though, its absolute inability to stop the Gophers during the majority of the THE NUMBERS 16/3 9 5-3 The number of field goal attempts A.J. Hammons had against Ohio State vs. his total vs. Minnesota. The Boilermakers' ranking in the RPI among Big Ten teams. Purdue was No. 76 as of Friday, according to ESPN.com. Purdue's record in Big Ten openers under Coach Sharon Versyp after losing to Ohio State on Thursday. In Versyp's eight years as head coach, the Boilermakers have only started league play 0-2 once. Purdue's assist-toturnover ratio in its loss at Minnesota, far better than it its season average of 0.73 in games played away from Mackey Arena. 1.88 game left Purdue in the hole it couldn't quite get all the way out of with its 18-6 run to end the game. Minnesota made 11-of-24 threepointers; late in the game, it was 11of-21. In the first half, Purdue repeatedly sent the Gophers to the foul line. In the second, when the Boilermakers couldn't afford to trade baskets, they allowed uncontested dunks. Christopher Mitchell The Boilermakers challenges aren't limited to the defensive end, as their inability to consistently get the ball inside against Minnesota hampered the offense. GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 24, EXPRESS 15 • 1