11/18/2024 Boilermaker Water Cooler Chat: Fresh Air Edition
Rants, ravings, and somewhat sensical opinions following the wild, wacky, and wide-wide world of Purdue sports.
A few weeks back I spent some time in the mountains, seeing another national park on our bucket list. There is something nice about forgetting the rigors of everyday work-life, getting away, and soaking it all in. Mother nature has a way of healing, and a way of soothing the soul, and I have been blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy the little things.
I sat, overlooking a wooded valley, and just breathed it in. A warm fall breeze across my face, was the absolute breath of fresh air that I needed. The change of pace, everything that is good in life, and finally something sorely needed. Positivity. You know what else is a breath of fresh air? Purdue winning a sporting event. You know, not being a laughing stock.
Basketball Games:
Yale 84, #13 Purdue 92
A game that wasn’t quite as close as the final score indicated, but was still probably too close for comfort, the Boilermakers held Yale at arm’s length. Braden Smith had 22, as the Boilermakers were bolstered in scoring by Kaufman-Renn (17), Loyer (14), CJ Cox (12), Colvin (9) and Heide (9). The latter two a welcome sight, as Purdue needs more emerging contributors for this season.
All in all, a solid victory against a regular tournament team, with many contributors making their mark on this game. The score might’ve been closer than expected, but the result was positive for the Boilermakers.
Purdue-Yale Photo Gallery by Mark Elsner: https://iscpurdue.com/purdue-mens-basketball-vs-yale-11-11-24/
#2 Alabama 78, #13 Purdue 87
Two 2024 final four competitors squared off, and if you ask fans of a certain opinion, Alabama was the steroid-beefed child of the 1970s Harlem Globetrotters and the late 90s Chicago Bulls. Purdue was the Washington Generals’ B Team in comparison. Matchup nightmare, they said. Far to skilled, some squealed. Bama by 15+, they claimed.
No problem. Trey Kaufman-Renn dominated the monstrous Alabama front line to the tune of 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Both Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith added 17 points, including clutch moments and huge thoughts throughout the night. The real story, however, is freshman CJ Cox, scoring 11 points, 9 of which in under a minute. His thermo-nuclear moment included 3 threes on consecutive possessions, ignited a fire in Mackey Arena. It was the turning point of the game, and from that point, it was academic.
Boilers win convincingly against the #2 team in the nation. Battling and BEATING a top 5 ranked team is difficult no matter who you are. What a breath of fresh air.
Purdue-Alabama Photo Gallery: https://iscpurdue.com/purdue-mens-basketball-vs-2-alabama-11-16-24/
Break It Down:
Purdue basketball has picked up where they dropped off. The intensity of the Alabama game showed that this team is capable of. 3 turnovers on the game against one of the best teams in the nation is incredible. Shooting 56% from 3 is really good against air, let alone the super-hyper-mega-athletic-juggernauts which are the Alabama Crimson Tide.
This team is good, folks. Alabama isn’t what the talking heads have made them out to be, but Purdue is better than those same talking heads have predicted. While far from a perfect, finished product, this week showed what Purdue can do.
Football:
Purdue 10, #4 Penn State 49
The Purdue Boilermakers continued their consistent play, getting demolished by Penn State by 39.
Purdue – Penn St Photo Gallery: https://iscpurdue.com/purdue-football-vs-penn-st-11-16-24/
Big Man on Campus:
CJ Cox will be remembered this week from his 3 made 3s in less than a minute, securing the victory against Alabama. His electric series of scores brought the Mackey Arena faithful to their feet.
Couple averaging 11.5 points this week, as a freshman, all while playing excellent defense, and you’ve won the BMOC award this week!
One Last Thing:
Purdue’s football game against Penn State was the final home game of the season, and “Senior Night” for the graduating Boilermakers. I wish to give a special thank you to every senior who has given their all to the old gold & black. They’ve seen some excellent highs in their four years. I am sure that they wished this final season was a little more successful, but I know that they have given their all for our school.
Thank you seniors!
A Look Ahead:
The (as of the writing of this article) #13 Purdue Basketball team will travel to Milwaukee to take on oft-competed #15 Marquette on Tuesday (11/19). This game will be more telling at to Purdue’s real place in the college basketball world, than the tilt against Alabama. This will be in hostile territory, so we will see what the Boilermakers are made of.
Following that, Purdue will host Marshall on Saturday (11/23). Purdue should be prohibitive favorites. Also, I will be in attendance as a fan this game, so feel free to come by and say hi!
As for football, Purdue will travel to Michigan State for a Friday night (11/22) tilt. At the beginning of the season this seemed like a winnable game… but the last 10+ weeks have happened since then.
For more content like this follow @ISC_PU on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. For a deeper look into the mad mind of Ben Kolodzinski, follow him at @BRKolo on Twitter. WARNING: Viewer’s discretion is advised…
