Friday night at Mackey Arena was a tough outing for Indiana, facing off against a well-prepared Purdue team. While this wasn’t a do-or-die game for the Hoosiers' NCAA Tournament hopes, the way they were outplayed-especially in the second half-was concerning, particularly against their in-state rivals.
Purdue, led by the strategic acumen of Matt Painter, came in with a game plan that effectively neutralized Indiana's key players. Lamar Wilkerson, usually a pivotal force for the Hoosiers, was held to a mere two points in the first half, shooting just 1-3 from the field. Purdue's defense was relentless, ensuring Wilkerson never found his rhythm.
Nick Dorn, another crucial player for Indiana, faced a similar fate. The Boilermakers were ready for him, closing out on the perimeter and preventing any repeat of his earlier season heroics. Dorn, who has been struggling post his midseason surge, found himself scoreless for the first 30 minutes, a testament to Purdue's defensive prowess.
On the flip side, Braden Smith was the star of the night for Purdue. He showcased the form that has him in the conversation for multiple end-of-season accolades, including All-Conference and potentially All-America honors. Indiana has managed to contain Smith in past encounters at Assembly Hall, but tonight was a different story.
After missing his initial jumper, Smith quickly found his groove, sinking a three-pointer off a Wilkerson turnover. That shot set the tone for the night, igniting the Mackey Arena crowd, who stayed on their feet until the final buzzer.
Purdue's dominance was clear as they extended their lead to 30 points in the closing stages. This allowed Coach Painter to give his bench some valuable minutes, sealing a statement victory over their rivals.
Looking ahead, Indiana must regroup quickly. They have a crucial game against Northwestern coming up on Tuesday night, one they can't afford to drop if they want to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation. The Hoosiers will need to bounce back and show resilience to keep their postseason dreams alive.