Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/114608
But two things happened: 1) Critical contributor Sandi Marcius got hurt, rolling his ankle and depriving Purdue of the distinct energy he's provided just when it needed it most and, much more significantly, 2) Trey Burke happened. The Wolverine player-of-theyear candidate scored 22 of his 26 points after halftime and scored 14 with three assists in the final 5:05 alone to save Michigan. "Trey Burke is a very good player and the one thing you want to do is try to keep him out of rhythm," Painter said. "But when he makes speed-dribble, stepback pull-ups, you're going to shake his hand (congratulate him) a few times. He made a couple unbelievable shots on the run, and that's why some consider him the best lead guard in the country. He can make those shots. Not a lot of people can make those shots." Burke came out on top in an epic back-and-forth with Purdue's Terone Johnson, who scored a career-high 32 points, the most by a Boilermaker since E'Twaun Moore dropped 38 on Ohio State in 2011. Burke propelled the Wolverines back from a dozen down, but Purdue had one final chance. Down three in the game's final Key stretch Just inside the seven-minute mark, Burke scored seven straight for Michigan, his last basket giving the Wolverines a 59-58 lead, one it would manage to hold on to through the game's back-andforth final minutes. Key stat It might not be a statistic, per se, but bears mentioning that Michigan scored off every one of its possessions in the final fourand-a-half minutes. TAKEAWAYS S Obviously, Purdue is at the Terone Johnson scored a career-high 32 points top of its game right now this seato give Purdue a chance to upset Michigan. son. After the Boilermakers have seconds, though, Purdue turned struggled so much, that isn't saythe ball over when Ronnie John- ing all that much, but it does bode son's pass snuck through Terone well for the postseason, and next Johnson's hands, denying the season, that this team has apparBoilermakers at least a chance to ently gotten things figured out. Ideally, though, this would tie the game with a three. have happened two or three Key player Burke is the no-brainer, but months ago. No going back now, though. Purdue's nowhere near the position With virtually everyone set it was in in the second half without to come back, if Purdue can carry the brilliant play of Terone Johnson, who scored all 32 of his points in this momentum into the postseathe game's final 30 minutes, most son and offseason, there will be much to be enthusiastic about of them in the second half. He made 12-of-17 shots and going into 2013-14. S This week in A.J. Hammons scored seven consecutive points inconsistency: The big man was a to give the Boilermakers their bigghost gest lead of 12. against Michigan, but bigTom Campbell time against Minnesota, one of the teams he chose Purdue over in recruiting. If Purdue gets the good version of Hammons in most of its games next season, the 7-footer will be first-team All-Big Ten at worst. S In high school, Davis could simply overpower defenders en route to the basket, the gist of the prolific scorer's game. How was it going to translate to the Big Ten? Just fine apparently. The freshman has been outstanding down the stretch, getting to the basket often and finishing practically everything. He has a tremendous knack for using his body, generating favorable angles and contorting his body around the rim to finish. That offensive prowess coupled with his tenacity and work ethic add up to what might be a really, really good player in the near term. As is, he averaged 16.5 points in Purdue's final two regular season games and might have been the Boilermakers' best pound-forpound rebounder this year. S Terone Johnson put himself on some All-Big Ten ballots with his 32-point outburst against Michigan, following up his very good 16-point game in the win at Wisconsin. He has turned the ball over some lately, but turnovers and him playing well might go hand in hand since it shows he's being aggressive. Maybe that's the stretch, but Johnson's been really aggressive, but also really smart. He's stopped forcing shots, for the most part, and he's showing that when he takes "rhythm" threes, as Painter calls them, he can shoot. S Good for Anthony Johnson. It's been a tough year for the sophomore guard and there's no telling what lies ahead for him at Purdue following this season, but he made some big plays in the second half against Minnesota to help hold the Gophers off. S Marcius will graduate from Purdue in the summer and will have the option to simply move on if he wants as opposed to returning for his fifth-year senior season. Here's hoping for Purdue's sake and his that he plays out his career. He can be a huge component to next year's team, and it's obvious that fans would love to see him back after how he's endeared himself to them with his play in recent weeks. j GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 25 • 17