Oct. 30, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/103003aaa.html

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Single-game tickets for Purdue men's basketball games will be on sale to the general public on Monday, Nov. 3. Single-game tickets can be purchased for all home games, with the exception of the Indiana game on Feb. 14, which will have a limited number of tickets available.

Season tickets are available to students and the general public until the first exhibition game on Nov. 7 against Global Sports.

Season tickets sales are ahead of the 2002-03 season total, when approximately 9,500 season tickets were sold. As of Oct. 30, more than 10,500 season tickets had been purchased.

Purdue's student cheering section, the Gene Pool, continues to grow. In 2002-03, the Gene Pool had over 1,900 tickets sold. As of Oct. 30, more than 3,200 student season tickets had been purchased.

"The Gene Pool was tremendous last season," said head coach Gene Keady. "They gave us a huge advantage at home and made it a special environment in Mackey. I know the team is hoping that section continues to grow and from what I hear it has. The next step is to get all the other fans on board and try to sell the place out every game."

Buy Football and Basketball Tickets at the link below:

http://web34.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/evenue/se/Main.d2w/report?linkID=purduese

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I think every educated fan and person affiliated with the marketing of Purdue basketball knows that winning more games is the ultimate tactic to drive ticket sales growth. In fact, we did improve our record significantly last year over the year before and frankly what we we have seen is growth in Gene Pool ticket sales as a result (over 3,000 sold compared to 1,900 the year before). General Public season ticket sales are about the same as last year at this time from what I can tell, and I find that discouraging to say the least. So the program did it's job and made significant progress, but us general public fans did not make progress, hmmm...

I understand that each individual has their own economic and time constraints to consider...I just wish more folks would find a way to support what I consider to be a TREMENDOUSLY well put together team this season. I mean, McKnight is the quickest point guard we've had in a long time, and with the defensive talent we have on the floor (led by Lowe and Brandon), we should see plenty of transition baskets that equates to very exciting, up-tempo basketball IMO. Moreover, with the larger Gene Pool igniting the rest of the crowd, along with the great 6 senior led TEAM play on the floor, I think the general public folks who have longed for the days of the most raucous atmosphere in the Big 10, don't know at this time what they may be missing!

There will always be those who make it happen (proactively buy tix, show up to support, and demonstrate faith that the team will produce) as opposed to those who choose to watch it happen nearby with 90 minutes of Mackey (on TV or via the print media). We simply need to find more of these "make it happen" folks by encouraging our friends and acquaintances in the "general public" to give basketball tickets further consideration.

Northwestern at Purdue - Game Time: Noon EST / TV: ESPN

http://www.thefinalscore.net/

"Talk about a contest pitting two teams entering a game in stark contrast to one another. Northwestern stonewalled a Wisconsin team that came to Evanston with still legitimate hopes of running to a Big Ten title. Purdue got systematically dismantled at Michigan in an attempt to prove its status as the best in the Big Ten. The Wildcats are flying high, the Boilermakers are as low as they've been in years. So, what does that mean for this battle? If past history is any indication, Purdue will bounce back and lay the hammer to the Wildcats. Northwestern has had little luck against the gold and black of late and with the Boilers still very much in the thick of a Big Ten race, don't expect last week's loss to linger into this game.

In a battle of the original Big Ten spread offenses, Purdue holds the upper hand. The Boilermakers are scoring more points (25.0 to 17.5 ppg), passing for more yards (233.8 to 159.8 ypg), faring better in the turnover category (+4 to +1), and gaining slightly more yards on the ground (166.8 to 158.5 ypg). Neither team is as efficient as it should be in the dink and dunk situations the spread offense provides, nor is the red zone conversion rate up to standard. One upper hand that Purdue retains, which could play a factor, is in third down conversions. Northwestern is a respectable sixth at 39.1% but Purdue is converting over 45% if its third downs. The teams are neck and neck in time of possession as well. The one big plus for the Wildcats? They have surrendered the least amount of sacks, while Purdue is tenth in said category. The key will be protection, run blocking and turnovers. Purdue can show hunger and jump on the 'cats early or let last week stay fresh in its mind. Northwestern can also attack early or come in complacent based on last week's big win. Don't count on the latter from either team...

While Purdue owns some of the noticeable statistical categories on offense, the teams aren't that far apart. Where the separation occurs is on defense. Purdue is better in points allowed (19.5 to 25.0 ppg), and against the pass (171.8 to 228.5 ypg), far superior against the run (86.5 to 207.0 ypg) and at getting to the quarterback (15 sacks to 5) and forces more turnovers (10 to 4). That said, Northwestern is stingy inside the red zone (1st at 64.3% vs. last at 100%). That doesn't bode well for a Purdue squad that has really struggled to score touchdowns in the past few games when inside the red zone. Special teams play favors Purdue in nearly all facets of the game as well. The key is for Northwestern to get a great game out of its line and Jason Wright. Do this and it will go to the wire. However, if Purdue gets after the quarterback and takes Wright out of the contest early, in addition to being more prepared offensively than last week, the Boilers should win with some measure of ease. Purdue bounces back, but it takes a half to fully shake the cobwebs... PURDUE 33 - NORTHWESTERN 17.

Cov Fan says... Both teams come into this one from opposite ends of the spectrum. Purdue got it handed to them by Michigan, while Northwestern (which helped me win this week) upset an overrated Wisconsin team. I look for Purdue to bounce back in this one, as Kyle Orton will have the offense back on track. They better enjoy this one as Ohio State is lurking around in the future. Purdue 33 - Northwestern 10"

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Opinions show 'political correctness'
http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/31§ion=sports&storyid=editorspicks
In what will no doubt turn out to be yet another fruitless attempt at getting a date, Photo Editor Tim Orendorff has invited Campus Editor Charise Pettit to join him in choosing this week's winners.

Northwestern (4-4, 2-2 Big Ten) at No. 18 Purdue (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten)

Orendorff-Pettit Picks:

Charise: Thanks for inviting me to join you and your winning ways, Tim. Anyway, Northwestern is coming off a big upset over Wisconsin; Purdue had a rough loss at Michigan. However, kind of like Timmy when it comes to his lady, this year’s team is too good to let a bad week affect its ability to score.

Tim: Yeah, too bad the Boilers don’t have the same kind of game you do; we might be undefeated. Anyhow, the Wildcats have an "explosive" offense much like Purdue’s, but have they ever beaten us, even when good with that so-called explosiveness? Purdue 38, Northwestern 17.

Steve's Sermon: I've got Jeanguenat's back on this one (check out his column on the back page). The Boilers can't afford to play like they did against Michigan — it's one thing to get beat up, but it's quite another to get beat up while running away. If Purdue plays like it can, it'll win like it should. Purdue 35, Northwestern 21"

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Purdue's healthy attitude good sign for Saturday

By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/columns/200310310purdue_football1067576596.shtml

"Nearly a week after Michigan thumped Purdue in Ann Arbor, one thing seems perfectly clear.

Sometimes, recovering from a one-sided loss is easier than bouncing back from a last-second heartbreaker.

Sure, the Boilermakers were no match for the Wolverines last Saturday. No doubt they were embarrassed.

But the players and coaches were smiling, even laughing, and having fun at last Sunday's practice.

Which is probably the perfect tonic for the situation. The better team won. Move on."

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Boilers need high energy for Saturday
http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/31§ion=sports&storyid=nwcolumn
"The Boilers aren't four touchdowns worse than Michigan.

Purdue didn't lose to the Wolverines because of a lack of talent.

Or because the game was played at the "Big House."

Purdue suffered the disappointing 31-3 loss at the hands of Michigan because of the lack of emotion with which it played.

The combination of Boilers playing flat and Michigan's aggressive defense made the Wolverines look dominant.

The Boilers didn't play with the urgency and energy it takes to beat Michigan.

"Based on our football team and the style of football we play, if we are not emotionally going at it, it doesn't matter who we play," coach Joe Tiller said."

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Stubblefield thriving out of spotlight

By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200310300purdue_football1067491443.shtml

"Officially, he's listed as 6-foot-1 and 172 pounds. Actually, he's probably closer to 5-11 and 165 pounds. And he's not even close to being the fastest player on the team.

All he does is catch the football. Season after season, game after game, down after down.

He may play second fiddle to John Standeford, but there's no doubt that Taylor Stubblefield is Purdue's Mr. Reliable when it comes to hauling in passes. Especially on third downs.

While Standeford, rightfully so, has received a lot of headlines this season for becoming Purdue's career leader for receptions and receiving yards, Stubblefield leads the Boilermakers with 59 catches.

"It's absolutely no surprise, but maybe it's lost because of the reference to records," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said. "But Taylor, if I was going to put a label on him, I'd call him Mr. Consistency."

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Wildcats shed perennial 'cupcake' status
By John Kraft
Staff Writer

http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/31§ion=sports&storyid=index

"Northwestern’s done playing the role of the cupcake.

For years, seeing Northwestern on your team’s football schedule brought up the same thoughts.

Easy win. Cakewalk. Blowout.

After the Wildcats’ 16-7 victory over Wisconsin last Saturday, those notions have been dispelled for the year. When the Purdue football team hosts Northwestern on Saturday, coach Joe Tiller says it'll face an improved Northwestern squad.

"This is not a smoke-and-mirrors act on Northwestern’s part," Tiller said. "They’re a very physical Big Ten football team."

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Weekly Football Press Conference

Selected coach and player quotes from Tuesday, Oct. 28

Oct. 29, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102903aab.html

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -

Joe Tiller, Head Coach

On the team handling the loss at Michigan...
"I suspect that the players will bounce back better than the coaches will. I think young people are pretty resilient, and we'll see as the week unfolds. We do not practice Monday, so I haven't seen them. Today will really be our first chance to see them and see how they respond on the practice field. I thought on Sunday they were a little more quiet than normal. But as the practice picked up, I thought they picked up, so I interpret that as a good sign."

On Michigan's blitz package...
"They run multiple things at you that a lot of teams do not run. Every team blitzes you; that's just part of football. You know you're going to get blitzed, that's why we have blitz periods every day that we work on, but I think their multiplicity maybe is a little bit higher than the average outfit. And the reason it is, is because they can do it. Why do they do that? Because they can. At least that was my answer to my wife. Well, why do they do that? Because they can."

On why Ross-Ade is not sold out for the Northwestern game... "It's a mystery to me. You know, there's only two more opportunities for folks to see this senior class perform, and it's going to leave here with a pretty impressive legacy I think. We're going to play a football team that I guess people prejudged. Maybe a month ago they decided they weren't going to go to this game. This is going to be a heck of a football game, and it's going to be against a good opponent that's playing their best football right now, and we're not too bad either."

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Red zone results frustrate Boilers

Purdue has scored just two TDs in last eight trips inside the 20

By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200310290purdue_football1067403683.shtml

"It seems like the only time a team's red zone offense becomes a major story is when that team is having trouble scoring touchdowns when it gets inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

Welcome to Purdue football, 2003.

"The thing we're probably the most frustrated with, quite frankly, is our goal line offense. It's something we continue to work on," Boilermaker coach Joe Tiller said Tuesday.

Overall, Purdue's offense has been in the red zone 37 times in the first eight games and come away with points on 31 occasions. Not a bad percentage (.838).

The problem is, the Boilermakers have scored only 18 TDs in those 37 red zone trips (.486 percent)."

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Phillips gets Tiller's vote for MVP

By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200310291purdue_football1067403683.shtml

"It might still be a little early to anoint any one Boilermaker as the most valuable player for this season, and Purdue coach Joe Tiller certainly didn't offer an official public endorsement, but he did single out one of his players for some very high praise Tuesday.

"The guy who's really elevated his game, probably moreso than any other player on our defense this year, is Shaun Phillips," Tiller said of the senior defensive end. "He's playing with a lot of moxie."

Tiller said the reasons are three-fold.

Phillips is more experienced and seeing things better. He's lost weight, from 265 to 250, and is quicker this season.

"And third, and probably the most significant of all, is he's playing every down," Tiller said. "Shaun has always had the talent to go make the play, but he wasn't an every-down guy. He's become an every-down player."

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Purdue-Iowa game to kick off at 3:30 p.m.

Journal and Courier Staff Reports

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200310280purdue_football1067319217.shtml

"The Purdue football team will have another late afternoon starting time thanks to Monday's announcement that the Nov. 8 game with Iowa will kick off at 3:30 p.m.

ESPN will televise the Boilermakers' home finale, taking over ABC's coverage due to the network's commitment to the PGA Tour Championship."

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Basketball teams to scrimmage before, after football game

Journal and Courier Staff Reports

http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/stories/200310281purdue_hoops1067319217.shtml

Purdue fans attending Saturday's football game against Northwestern will also have the opportunity to see the Boilermaker basketball teams scrimmage.

The women will play from 10-11 a.m. while the men's scrimmage will take place shortly after the conclusion of the football game, which starts at noon. There is no admission charge.

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Lavin returns to Purdue roots

By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/stories/200310290purdue_hoops1067403683.shtml

UCLA's former basketball coach, who broke into the profession as one of Gene Keady's Purdue assistants, was back in Mackey Arena on Tuesday morning, preparing for a new career.

Lavin -- fired by UCLA at the end of last season -- is barnstorming the Big Ten Conference this week, gathering information that will assist him as ESPN's new college basketball analyst.

After watching former Purdue assistant Bruce Weber's Illinois team practice Monday, Lavin made the drive from Champaign to Lafayette in time for Purdue's 7 a.m. Tuesday practice.

"I like their balance ... lots of size, strength, quickness and depth," Lavin said after watching the Boilermakers' Tuesday workout."

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Foes respect Keady's Boilers

By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/stories/200310270purdue_hoops1067231441.shtml

"CHICAGO -- On the brink of one of those special seasons, or a middle of the pack finisher?

In part because of so many varying opinions, the Purdue men's basketball team was a hot topic of conversation during Sunday's Big Ten Conference media day at the O'Hare Westin.

A league-generated survey of Big Ten coaches and media tabbed Michigan State, Wisconsin and Illinois to occupy the top three slots in the final standings.

In a separate poll conducted by sportswriters who cover Big Ten men's basketball, the Boilermakers received the widest range of votes.

Picked fifth overall in the writers' survey, Purdue received two second-place votes, two for third and two for fourth."

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Posted by: GS Thomas on October 30, 2003 at 10:59:29 - IP 208.0.24.129

Citizen Pain still frustrating opponents.

http://oldgoldfreepress.com/forums/MrHoops/messages/52075.shtml

Here's a good Cardinal blurb from the Oakland Tribune.

Cardinal, with eight points in 11 minutes, may have had the biggest impact with his defense on Nowitzki. His physical play provoked Nowitzki, who has a decidedly different look with his flowing blond locks shorn, into a retaliatory technical foul and out of his offensive rhythm.
"We absolutely did our job," Cardinal said. "Our role is to bring energy and knock down open jump shots when we have them. We showed tonight we can compete with the best teams in the league."

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Posted by: GS Thomas on October 30, 2003 at 11:13:46 - IP 208.0.24.129

Brad Miller impresses under the radar

http://oldgoldfreepress.com/forums/MrHoops/messages/52076.shtml

Boiler Brad got some love from the Sacremento Bee this morning. Who would've noticed with the Lebron circus in town?

"Kings newcomer Brad Miller hit the floor three times in the first half in pursuit of a loose ball and had the team's final two baskets to finish with 16 points and nine rebounds."