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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 28 Digital 4

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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 4 8 5 Big Dog Scores 49, as Purdue Wins Big Ten: Glenn Robinson technically never had a senior day, but in his last game in Mackey he led the Boilers to their first Big Ten title with a rousing performance against Illinois in 1994. 4 Three-Pete sets off fire- works: The game was never in doubt, but Purdue's six-member senior class went out in style with a blowout win over Northwestern, celebrat- ing Purdue's historic Three-Pete Big Ten title in 1996. The postgame celebration included indoor fireworks, a Mackey first. 3 White and Figgs pack Mackey: On Valentine's Day 1999, Purdue's women's basketball team not only sold out Mackey Arena for the first time, it destroyed Ohio State. It was a fond farewell for Stephanie White and Ukari Figgs, two of the program's iconic players who became national champs six weeks later. 2 Three Amigos hoist the hardware: Purdue hoisted the Big Ten Trophy during senior day 1988 after Troy Lewis, Todd Mitchell and Everette Stephens easily had dis- posed of Minnesota. The Boilermakers clinched the crown a week earlier, giving plenty of time to get the trophy to West Lafayette. 1 Carroll gives roses to Mom: All-America center Joe Barry Carroll never liked attention, but for his mother, it was another story. In the closing moments of a decisive win over defending national champ Michigan State in 1980, Carroll presented roses to the woman who had such a big impact on his life. There was barely a dry eye in the place. — Alan Karpick *Before the 2018 version, of course Who is Purdue's MVP? Stacy Clardie With all five Purdue starters landing on all- Big Ten teams, certainly any of those guys would be worthy of the team MVP conversation. Vincent Edwards, though, gets my (not- counting) vote for a variety of reasons. No, his offensive game isn't as flashy as the other Edwards, but, at least in my estimation, offense isn't the only gauge toward MVP status. Vincent did everything, snatching a team-best 7.6 rebounds in the regular season when the team desperately needed someone to establish himself as that player, while assisting at the same clip per game as the other Edwards. He's a senior, too, and his savvy and leadership are pivotal. His ability to create his own shot, in the post, from the perimeter, or off the bounce will be a key piece to Purdue's postseason run, too. He's a matchup problem in every sense. And a deserving MVP. Brian Neubert The reality is that Purdue's MVP is the fact that it has multiple MVPs, at least three of them, but what the last week of the season showed was that Carsen Edwards deserves the nod, because his prodigious offensive ability — he's a professional-level scorer — and dynamic athletic gifts stand out so starkly on a Purdue roster that's otherwise relatively complete. Edwards is a pressure-beater off the dribble, which can limit an opponent's option to heat up Purdue's other guards — ask Illinois about what Edwards can do to pressure — and a game-plan beater in his ability to make difficult shots. Between his ability to score from everywhere and the effort and tenacity he's played with on defense, brought together by his improved decision-making, he's a player who doesn't face pressure, but rather applies it. And he can be huge in March, when guards tend to loom large, even if they're small. Photos by Wayne Doebling (Carroll, Amigos); Tom Campbell (White/Figgs, Threemendous, Robinson) Best Senior Days* T O P

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