Preview: Purdue vs. IPFW

The Boilers look to extend their 4 game winning streak against the Mastodons, and cash in for their 10th victory this season.

No one can argue that Purdue’s men’s basketball team is on a roll. Steamrolling their past four opponents, including mid-major powerhouse Davidson, the Boilers are on a four game winning streak and look to continue that streak tonight against IPFW.

The Mastodons of IPFW have started the season slow as they enter tonight’s contest 4-7, including going 1-5 in their past six games, including two blowouts against Nebraska and Marquette.

The Boilers, on the other hand, are finally showing the capability they have which garnered them all of their preseason hype. It couldn’t have come at a better time as non-conference play winds down, and the long road that is the Big Ten season begins.

Robbie Hummel is a large reason for the recent Boiler success. On the heels of a career high scoring performance against the Sycamores of Indiana State, Hummel cashed in against Davidson with a double-double, including a career high 14 boards. He leads the Big Ten in free throw percentage, as well as being sixth in scoring (15.8 ppg).

If Purdue can ward off any possibilities of over-looking their opponent, it’s highly expected that they’ll carry on to a fifth straight win and their tenth on the season. With students on break, and three days before the Christmas holiday, Mackey could be reasonably quiet. A quick start, much like the 21-0 burst to open the game against Davidson, would allow the Boilers to coast into a near weeklong break with high aspirations.

Quick Notes: The last meeting between these two schools resulted in a 79-69 Boiler win on Dec. 20th, 2005.
The game is at 7:00 P.M. at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette. It can be seen on ESPN 360.

Fearless Prediction: BOILERS 82 – IPFW 60