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The Daily Word - Weekend Preview
By Andy Gamm

Editor's Note: Joining me this week is MSU fan BruceSr. BruceS went 5-0 and held off a bevy of others in the tiebreaker. Your host (me) is now 57-18 for the year. Play along this week, and every week, on the message board. Picks are due in by 11am EDT Saturday.

http://www.thefinalscore.net

"Ohio State at Purdue - Game Time: 12:05pm EST / TV: ABC
Hands down, the Game of the Week in the Big Ten. Ohio State vaulted to number two in the most recent BCS release. Purdue is 4-5 and in need of two wins to become bowl eligible. At first glance, it may look like a no brainer, but think again. Purdue has lost its five games by a total of 22 points (7, 3, 3, 7, 2) and is this close to being more along the lines of 7-2 or better. So, lest OSU fans think this is a "send it in game" be prepared for a war. Purdue may be hurting here and there (Kircsh most notably) but the Boilers have the talent to end the Buckeyes run at a national title. Don't think so? Tune in because this will be a fantastic game...

This game pits the Big Ten's best offense (Purdue at 449.3 ypg) against the best defense (OSU at 305.6 ypg). But don't let that be the sole basis on your pick. These teams are even or close to even in most statistical categories. The biggest advantage either way lies in special teams. Ohio State is a perfect 20 for 20 in field goals while the Boilermakers are a horrific 3 for 10. Ohio State is also tops in the conference in punting and a better kick returning team. Those areas will be the difference makers in this battle. Both defenses are opportunistic and can stop the pass. The other true Buckeye advantage comes in that the scarlet and gray defense is 60 yards better per game against the run. Ross and Clarett should be able to keep the ball in Ohio State's hands and move the chains all day. Purdue keeps it agonizingly close, but in the end, special teams failures haunt the black and gold once more. .. OHIO STATE 17 - PURDUE 14.

BruceS says... This could be one of the better games this weekend. OSU is looking for some more respect in their effort to get into the title game in January. PU is trying to get it together for the stretch run. The home crowd will help Purdue but too many questions abound for the Boilers. OSU has too much determination to stay perfect and will win 31-21."

for the full story click on the link above

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Purdue Boilermakers

http://www.indystar.com/article.php?inhuddle06.html

"The opponent: Purdue (4-5, 2-3) plays host to No. 3 Ohio State (10-0, 5-0) at noon Saturday (WRTV-6, WNDE-1260 AM). The Buckeyes are allowing just 12.8 points per game, third best in the nation. "What's impressive is the way they come at you with numbers," coach Joe Tiller said. "They certainly have seven defensive linemen that could start for any team in the league."

Quarterback update: Tiller said freshman quarterback Brandon Kirsch, who chipped a bone in his throwing hand during an off-the-field altercation on Oct. 27, is questionable for Saturday after being fitted with a new brace on Monday. Tiller said he will watch both Kirsch and Kyle Orton -- whom Kirsch displaced as the starter two games ago -- in practice the next two days and may not announce a starter until just before game time. "I was pleased with the way Kyle practiced last week," Tiller said. "We're pretty comfortable with the way he fits in the game plan right now."

Support for Kirsch: Tiller said any punishment Kirsch receives for getting into the fight at a Purdue fraternity house will be kept private and won't involve missing game action. He also said he believes Kirsch was provoked. "It's hard for me to discipline a player for something I might have done or anyone else in this room might have done."

More injury news: Defensive tackle Craig Terrill, who has started 29 games in his career, also is questionable for Saturday after suffering a knee injury in a 42-13 victory over Northwestern on Oct. 26. "Our concern is playing him in this game and risk not having him for the last two games," Tiller said.

-- Michael Pointer

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Purdue - Globetrotters

Posted by: MDC on November 05, 2002 at 23:30:57 - IP 209.43.97.92

http://hoopscampus.com/bb/bigten/PUR/messages/41753.shtml

Watching the game tonight was like watching men against boys. Not only was the Globetrotter roster packed with big guys, they were beefy big guys and their guards were all quick and very aggressive. On top of that, Purdue basically played 7 new guys (Teague, Booker, McKnight, Buckley, Lowe, Kartelo and Kiefer) that did not play for Purdue last year. As might be expected, Purdue’s play was ragged (25 turnovers, 37.3% shooting) and there was not a lot of cohesion in the Purdue offense. Still, in my view, there were some real bright spots for Purdue:

(1) I was very impressed with Brett Buscher’ offensive improvement from a year ago. He looked very comfortable shooting the ball and he was particularly effective in the first half.
(2) Purdue’s over-all team speed and quickness is light-year’s better than last year. This should help Purdue make some big improvement on the defensive end as the season progresses. Not many teams will have a quicker pair of guards than Brandon McKnight and Willie Deane.
(3) The addition of Booker, Kiefer and Kartelo is a definite upgrade to Purdue’s interior defense and rebounding from a year ago. All you have to do is look at the rebounding stats (38-35 in favor of Purdue) to be encouraged about this group. If this was last year’s team, not only would Allison have fouled out, the Globetrotter’s would have ruled the boards by 10 or more.
(4) The three true freshmen (Teague, Kiefer and Buckley) are all players. Against guys 5 to 10 years older than they are, the three combined tonight for 12 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 TO’s (more on that later) in 53 minutes. I was very impressed with all 3 of them and Purdue fans should look forward to watching them develop as the year progresses.
(5) Lastly, despite the lopsided nature of the final score, I thought the players all competed. Even though the execution was lacking, the effort wasn’t.

On the downside, Purdue committed 25 turnovers and shot the ball poorly. As far as the turnovers were concerned, the two main problems were poor execution (moving screens were a particular problem) and the fact that the Globetrotters were pretty darn good defensively. The primary reason Purdue shot so badly was poor shot selection and the two main offenders were Willie Deane and Darmetreis Kilgore. It never ceases to amaze me how these two guys seem to think ANY shot at ANy time on the shot clock is a good one. Six of Darmetreis’ seven FG attempts were 3 pointers as were six of Willie’s eleven. I’m of the opinion that these two guys need to take it to the hole more often and score or get fouled instead of settling for the long jumpers at their first opportunity. I know there will be night’s when the long ones are falling and Purdue will probably look good, but if Purdue is to develop into a GOOD team this year, these two guys have got to find ways to score with-in the offense instead of just shooting a 3 pointer at the first opportunity.

In summary, I’d say it was not a particularly encouraging start to the season (I mean, they did lose by 19) but there are some positives to build on and I personally think this is going to be a fun team to watch this year. I just hope people give them some time to grow and develop early in the season and don’t expect too much out of a group that is going to be relying an awful lot on players who don’t have very much Division I experience. This is clearly a team that should be a lot better in January than they are going to be in November and December.

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harlem 83, purdue 64

Globetrotters easily handle Boilermakers

Coach Keady encouraged by young players despite the mistakes in their college debut.

By Michael Pointer

michael.pointer@indystar.com

November 06, 2002

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Gene Keady saw many of the same disturbing characteristics Tuesday night he saw from last year's Purdue basketball team.

But there was one significant difference, in the veteran coach's opinion. The Boilers' mistakes in their 83-64 exhibition loss to the Harlem Globetrotters at Mackey Arena were the result of youth and inexperience, not by veteran players committing the same miscues repeatedly.

"Shot selection is too quick and we're too careless with the ballhandling," Keady said. "But I think we've got enough new people that it can be taken care of with time."

Purdue relied heavily on four newcomers. Junior college transfer Chris Booker scored 21 points in 12 minutes, and freshmen David Teague, Melvin Buckley and Matt Kiefer each played at least 16 minutes.

"Until we quit giving easy baskets, and learning how to be shot selective and not shoot the ball unexpectedly, we'll stay in the same doldrums," Keady said. "But I know that's not going to happen. We'll get it worked out. The effort is there."

for the full story click on the link above

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Booker key to Boiler rebound
By Steve Warden
The Journal Gazette
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/sports/4464372.htm

"WEST LAFAYETTE - It's late in Purdue's basketball exhibition opener last Tuesday night, and by now, the Harlem Globetrotters had chased what few onlookers there were out of Mackey Arena - and not with their "water" bucket filled with confetti, either.

The 'Trotters were playingstraight up and hard, led by former NBA players Cedric Cebal-los and Todd Day. What had once been a close game, one in which Purdue and the 'Trotters were tied at 40, had turned into a mauling; the very definition of men against boys. Alas, Purdue wound up playing the familiar role of the beaten and beleagured Washington Generals, losing 83-64.

But that didn't stop Boilermakers coach Gene Keady from doing his sideline thing.

Keady didn't lose the coat or his temper, but he was still vintage Keady, yapping out of the side of his mouth to officials, then standing statue-still, with his arms folded across his chest. All the while, he was still coaching, still coaxing, still teaching.

"Chris! Chris!" he yelled onto the floor, then motioned for him to go back inside.

Junior college transfer Chris Booker, all 6-feet-10 of him, had gotten into the knack of wandering 18 feet away from the basket, which is significantly farther than where he should be.

"Coach was yelling from the sideline for me to get in and for my teammates to get the ball inside so we could make something happen, other than just perimeter, so we could get our game going from all cylinders," Booker said"

for the full story click on the link above

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OSU athletes challenge Purdue line -- By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
With one good hand, Lowe inspires Boilermakers -- By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier
Forward agrees redshirt best for him, Boilers -- By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier
OSU's Gamble thriving on both sides of the ball -- By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
Krenzel is Ohio State's unsung hero -- By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
Tiller still undecided on QB -- By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
'The Pass' a fond memory for Tiller -- By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
Globetrotters leave Boilers behind | Late 17-2 run dooms Purdue -- By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier