The Boilermakers take a three-game winning streak into their return to Mackey Arena with a chance to regain a share of first place in the Big Ten.
Pregame: No. 14 Purdue men's basketball vs. Illinois The Boilermakers take a three-game winning streak into their return to Mackey Arena with a chance to regain a share of first place in the Big Ten. Check out this story on jconline.com: https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/blogs/nathan-baird/2019/02/27/purdue-mens-basketball-illinois/3000246002/
Nathan Baird
Nathan Baird, Lafayette Journal & Courier Published 4:00 p.m. ET Feb. 27, 2019
The Boilermakers coach on the young Illini and the defensive pressure they will bring. Nathan Baird, jconline.com
WEST LAFAYETTE — No. 14 Purdue men's basketball attempts to move back into a first-place tie atop the Big Ten Conference when Illinois visits Mackey Arena tonight. BTN will broadcast the 8:30 p.m. tipoff.
For updates and analysis during the game follow Journal & Courier Purdue men's basketball insider Nathan Baird on Twitter: @nbairdjc
Purdue is coming off a 75-72 victory at Nebraska — its' third straight and 11 in the last 12 games. The Boilermakers go into the game one-half game behind first place Michigan State and tied in the loss column.
Illinois has lost back-to-back games following a four-game losing streak. Six of the Illini's 10 victories have come since Jan. 16.
Purdue's Grady Eifert, left, and Carsen Edwards celebrate an Eifert score during the second half against Indiana University on January 19, 2019. Purdue won the game 70-55. (Photo: Frank Oliver/For the Journal & Courier)
PREVIEW LINKS
SCOUTING REPORT: No. 14 Purdue men's basketball vs. Illinois
NEXT CHALLENGE: Purdue worried about Illinois' pressure, not the pressure of the Big Ten race
STOCK WATCH: Matt Haarms and Nojel Eastern are closers at the line
LOOKING BACK: Purdue basketball and Grady Eifert improbably keep proving themselves on the road
ILLINOIS VIEW:Illini face tall task at Mackey Arena
STARTING FIVE
1-Purdue continues to control its own destiny regarding a share of the Big Ten Conference. It also can secure a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament with a victory tonight (thanks to its tiebreaker advantage over Wisconsin). This is the time of season where, even for a team with a secure NCAA Tournament future, a "one and done" mentality can begin to set in, in a good way.
The Boilermakers forward on coming up clutch in big moments multiple times this season and how his senior year has unfolded. Nathan Baird, jconline.com
2-This Carsen Edwards funk won't last forever. Speaking to him before practice yesterday he didn't seem like a player overly concerned about the recent trend (7-for-40 last week, 1-for-20 from 3-point range). I suppose you'll make your own judgment of that. Matt Painter's stance hasn't really changed either. Yesterday he talked about the influence Edwards has on opposing defenses even when he isn't making shots. The Boilermakers seem to feel Edwards is due. We'll see.
3-Matt Haarms is really playing well of late, you may have noticed. I'm intrigued by tonight's matchup with 6-9 Illini freshman center Giorgi Bezhanishvili. He's averaging 18 points over his past five games (spiked by a 35-point effort against Rutgers). Illinois doesn't have much quality depth behind him at the 5.
4-Along those same lines, Trevion Williams has not looked as sharp since coming back from his bout with strep throat. We'll see if the home confines are friendlier. Purdue could use his boost on the boards.
5-Ryan Cline and Grady Eifert play their final two games at Mackey Arena this week. That's a bittersweet fact of which both are acutely aware. Purdue is also playing for an undefeated season at home — a rare feet even for a program accustomed to great success at home. Plenty of motivation this week.
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