Michigan Wolverines Basketball Set for Purdue Boilermakers Rematch

On February 12, 2025By Littum

Ann Arbor – No one needs to remind wolverines of what happened in their first meeting with Purdue.

Although they have played four games since the da-all close-up gains with four points or fewer-are last month’s 27-point blowout loss at Mackey Arena still fresh enough on their minds.

“Obviously everyone knows how that game went. They came to us early, ”said Big Man Danny Wolf. “We are lucky that we get to play them twice this year. … We are really happy with this opportunity to get that game back and solidify where we are in the position. “

No. 20 Michigan will be out for more than just repayment in his second crack on No. 7 Purdue. Tuesday’s rally in the Crisler Center gives Wolverines a chance to jump from Boilermakers in a matchup that will have major consequences for the conference race.

Purdue is at the top of the Big Ten position 11-2 and has a half-game lead over Michigan and Michigan State, both 10-2. With a victory on Tuesday, Wolverines would turn positions with Boilermakers. However, a loss would give Purdue a series of sweeps and a draw over Michigan, which could weave great over the past month during the regular season.

“This is a very big game on many fronts,” said Coach Dusty May. “None. 1 to show that we can compete with one of the best teams in the country. And yes, we want a championship but we can’t win the championship (Tuesday). We have to continue to improve and continue to remain the course.

“(Former Michigan) Coach (John) Beilein gave me a quote for a while about dreaming big but focusing small. … We definitely focus on adjustments and nuances, how we can improve, how to stay fresh, how to stay healthy this time of year, but we certainly dream big. “

Avoiding another nightmare start to Purdue will go a long way in doing so. At the first meeting on January 24, Boilermakers jumped all over Wolverines and drove out to a double -digit lead with a moment.

Everything snowballed from there when Michigan was crushed by an avalanche of crowd noise and big races. Wolverines pulled with 25 points at the break, was down with as much as 30 points in the second half and never led at any time – the only game that has happened this season. They were run out of the gym in their worst performance, scoring a season-low 64 points, allowed a season high 91 points and committed a season high 22 revenue.

“We have to play much better basketball,” May said. “We need to make some adjustments schematically, but more importantly our mindset. It was a tough night. They deserved to win how they did it, and I thought we deserved the result that we got that night.

“It’s part of the process. That night, much didn’t go right for us. Much went wrong. Purdue caused most of it. “

May rattled a list of basic elements that Wolverines should be better at against Purdue and any opponent moving on. They have to take better care of the ball. They have to cut better. They have to screen better. They have to pass better. They have to do a better job of not being beaten from their spots.

The crooked result against Boilermakers drove it home. Still, perhaps chalk up to an excursion that just happens from time to time. Wolverines, which rank near the top of the nation in field target percentage, fought mighty to make shots against Purdue.

May compared it to a baseball pitcher who didn’t have the same movement on his fracture ball or the same speed on his fastball than he did the game before.

“I don’t know why we think basketball players are different,” May said. “In the NBA, the proverb is that it is a make-or-Oms game. I don’t think it’s a falsehood. When you make shots, you put your defense, you are comfortable with yourself, you have positive feelings. When you are missing shots you are probably worried about what you did wrong. I think it’s human nature and that’s what we compete against every day is the human side of it. “

Michigan seems to be turning the manuscript and the result against Purdue in a new battle that is about more than just revenge.

It’s a chance for Wolverines to win ground and momentum when the Big Ten Race warms up and they enter the stretch drive, with rivalry matches against Ohio State and Michigan State threatening.

“It’s going to be fun,” May said. “We put ourselves in a big position, and this is where you want to be in February and play meaningful games. It’s scary when you look up and it’s Purdue, then in Ohio State and then home to Michigan State. If you want to ruin a night’s sleep, think about it before bed.

“It’s part of the challenge. When you’re in the Big Ten, you’re in Sec, you’re in one of these leagues, that doesn’t change. You turn the page from one game to the next and you have a tough opponent waiting for you every single week. … We are excited. “

No. 7 Purdue at No. 20 Michigan

Tip-off: 19:00 Tuesday, Crisler Center, Ann Arbor

TV/Radio: Peacock/950

Registrations: Purdue 19-5, 11-2 Big Ten; Michigan 18-5, 10-2

Outlook: Purdue won the first meeting between the teams, 91-64, on January 24 at the Mackey Arena. Boilermakers has won four equal and are 5-1 in the Big Ten Road game. Michigan has won four equal and is 11-0 at home.

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