Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/484081
GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 26 • 1 BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Purdue struggled, understandably, to grasp perspective after it literally gave away its overtime loss to Cincin- nati in the NCAA Tournament, but no matter how that game stung, the reality is that the Boilermakers righted their ship this season, with future successes, it hopes, to come. "Most definitely," forward Vince Edwards said in the Boilermakers' emotional locker room after the 66-65 overtime loss. "Purdue basketball will be back for sure." It was this season, actually. Or at least from the start of the Big Ten season. A last-place team from a year ago that was picked pretty much behind everyone but Rutgers in the Big Ten to start this year wound up winning 12 Big Ten games in the regular season, then a 13th in the Big Ten Tournament, and returning to the NCAA Tournament after a two-year hiatus. This came after it sat at just 8-5 after non-conference play, before a dramatic mid- season turn led by the return of the identity the Boilermakers had allowed to slip lately, especially defensively. All things considered, looking both backward and forward, this transitional sea - son ended as a successful one. That was of little consolation, though, after Purdue saw its run of 14 consecutive NCAA tourney opening-round victories snapped by the Bearcats after the Boiler- makers blew a seven-point lead with 48 sec- onds left in regulation. "It's tough to tell someone they can grow off something when it's over," Coach Matt Painter said. "(Senior) Jon Octeus has given his heart and soul to this program this year and that's a hard thing, because you're done. "But the guys who are returning, you've got to build on it." Disappointing as Purdue's seventh trip Tom Campbell Jon Octeus' departure will be one of the holes the Boilermakers will have to fill in 2015-16. 5 Overtime games the Boilermakers have played in the NCAA Tournament. Thursday was just their second loss. 7-5 Big Ten's record in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. It is the third-best record of the top six conferences, trailing ACC (11-1) and Pac-12 (7-1). 8 of 16 Games on Thursday that came down to the final possession, one of the wildest days in the history of the NCAAs. 3-0 Softball's record last weekend as it swept Wisconsin to open its new facility in grand style. THE NUMBERS VOLUME 25, EX 26 • MARCH 23, 2015 Inside | More NCAA Coverage 6-15 Football notes 17 | Recruiting news 18-19 Baseball's Kyle Wood 20-21 Devastating Loss Leaves Boilers Looking Forward NOTE: UPCOMING GOLD AND BLACK PUBLISHING SCHEDULE Next issue will publish April 20. Express Issue 28 will publish May 22.