The Student Section Supports: Purdue @ Wisconsin
For those new to the site, this “The Student Section Supports” segment takes a look at one specific matchup that has the potential to either be a surprising upset or an extremely tight game between two evenly matched teams. Generally speaking, this segment will steer clear of the top, marquee matchups due to the fact that there will be plenty of press about those games anyway. This week I’m picking a game that will a first for SSS: A rematch. Purdue beat Wisconsin in Lafayette two weeks ago, now the Badgers (who apparently have one of the best campuses in the nation) get their chance to avenge. Even better: Both teams are tied with a 9-1 record atop the Big Ten.
When: Saturday, 9 ET.
PURDUE (18-5): The Boilers are a nice little surprise, aren’t they? Earlier in the season they were winning their games by margins that weren’t to coach Matt Painter’s approval rating, but now I think the slick-haired coach couldn’t be happier with how this season’s turned out. Leave it up to Purdue: they fall off of the radar for a few years, then come back to the consciousness with a season like this one. It’s almost clockwork.
Could win because…They beat them the first time; Purdue handled Wisconsin as well as any team has this season. While I was watching that game, it appeared to me that Purdue had really executed on the floor what they sought out to do from watching tape. (Harder done than said.)
Could lose because…Winning in Madison isn’t easy. The Badgers have only lost two games in more than two years at the Kohl Center. The most underrated venue in the country, the KC is.
WISCONSIN (19-4): The Badgers can’t play for a 1, but a 2 seed is certainly a possibility if they can keep on winning some games down the stretch and hit the 26, 27-win plateau.
Could win because…They are, simply put, a better team than Purdue. This is their home floor and they’re fighting for the Big Ten’s regular season title (not that that really means all too much to college kids these days).
Could lose because…They’ve shown that they can lose to this team. Also, Purdue is one of the hottest teams in the country, winning eight straight, and doesn’t appear like they’re in the mood to be stopped right now.
Friday, February 8th, 2008 @ 5:19 pm 
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February 9th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Mmmm I was hoping for a St. John’s vs Providence here. Great showing by the redstorm students and fans by falling just 200 tickets short of selling out on campus. St. John’s went on a 9-0 scoring run last 4 min and wound up winning by 2.
February 9th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I saw that, and was going to put it as notable, but Providence is on the decline, that the loss really doesn’t make a ton of waves.
How big is the on-campus venue, Johnny?
February 10th, 2008 at 2:54 am
6,000 for Carnesecca Arena. Perhaps pending on St. John’s rise or fall the homecourt could play a huge role against Villanova at the Garden or Seton Hall at Carnesecca Arena. The road to the Big East Tourney is shaping up to be a very cool yet insignificant(to most) race.