IU BBall - Purdue at Mackey

What happens when 2 teams with losing records meet in a rivalry game? If you can look past the defensive lapses, turnovers, bad shots and such... you get a great game with one wacky finish. I won't rehash what happened... read it yourself here...

Indiana 75 - Purdue 73 2OT - Boxscore - IUHoosiers.com
IU doesn't miss its final chance - Indy Star

Just a few notes from the box score:
IU assists 14 - turnovers 17 - That won't win many games.
IU 3 point shooting - 4-17 - 23% - Neither will that.
IU Free Throw shooting 23-31 - 75% - This will definitely help win games.
PU had 17 offensive rebounds - IU won't win too many games giving up this many second chances

Some great post game quotes...

"I know the basketball doesn't lie," Strickland said with a smile. "He had to miss it. I didn't think the shot was good, and as players we knew he was going to miss the (free throw). You couldn't end the game like that."

Marshall Strickland is my new favorite player. I've been using the "Basketball doesn't lie" statement on free throws my whole life. To see a player use it after a game is the BEST!

"It took a perfect throw and perfect timing to put it in the hole and get fouled," Keady said. "It's just sad he couldn't win the game with it. We work hard on free throws. It's one of those free throws we'll never forget. He'll live with that the rest of his life. But, hey, come back and make one at Michigan State (on Tuesday) and win the game. That will cure that real quick."

It sure did take a perfect scenario... and one that I figured would send Keady out with a big win in his final IU-Purdue game at Mackey. Fortunately, the easiest part of the scenario couldn't be fulfilled.

"(Former Arkansas coach) Nolan Richardson had his 40 minutes of hell," said Keady, whose team dropped to 4-10 and 0-4 in the Big Ten. "We're having a season of hell. Any way we can find a way to lose it, we find it."

How true... as a basketball fan in general I hate seeing Keady go out this way. As an IU fan... I think it is hilarious!