It's been nearly nine years since Purdue and Alabama have met on the hardwood. It's been over nine months since Purdue last played a true road game.
It was March of 2001, an NIT game at Mackey Arena. Final score, Alabama 85, Purdue 77, in overtime. Now, finally, the Boilermakers get another crack at the Crimson Tide.
Purdue has just completed a four-game home stand. A home stand that had the Mackey Arena faithful headed for the exits by the under-four minute media time out every game. Purdue was so dominant that each time the game clock ticked under four minutes remaining, Purdue led by a minimum of 15 points.
Wake Forest was the only opponent of the four to keep it somewhat close. The Demon Deacons whittled their deficit to seven points with 27-seconds remaining. But, Purdue closed the game with four straight free throws guaranteeing Purdue fans that every home game to date has been a double-digit Boilermaker win. That was a tough loss for me as I was on the wrong end of those free-throws.
Purdue defeated their four opponents during that four game stretch by an average of 24 points per game.
Tonight, in Tuscaloosa, do not expect it to be quite as easy for the Boilers.
The Crimson Tide have won three straight and is currently 6-2 on the season. Alabama opened the year with a home loss to Cornell, but has since recovered nicely. The Tide knocked off 15th-ranked Michigan 68-66 in Orlando during the Old Spice Classic last month.
Tide Sophomore JaMychal Green was about as good as it gets against Michigan. Green scored 20 points, added 7 rebounds and four blocked shots against the Wolverines. More importantly, he dunked home the game winning shot with five-seconds to play and then ran to the defensive end and blocked Michigan's final shot at a game winner.
Alabama has long been known for its dominant football program. However, it is worth noting, the Tide has the second-most basketball victories all-time in the Southeastern Conference behind only Kentucky.
Back to football for a moment; One thing that should hold the attention of the 'Bama faithful tonight is the announcement of the Heisman Trophy winner.
Alabama sophomore running back Mark Ingram is a finalist. He is the top offensive player on the nation's number-one team and will be in New York City for the Heisman announcement. Most of the preliminary polling so far has Ingram finishing second in the balloting to Stanford's Toby Gerhart. But just imagine the scene in Tuscaloosa tonight if Ingram becomes Alabama's first ever Heisman winner.
The Tide fans may empty the Coleman Coliseum and head for the streets to celebrate.
Would that negate Alabama's home court advantage?
I am betting on Ingram to have the fans thinking of anything but this game tonight.
Purdue -6 (1 unit)
It was March of 2001, an NIT game at Mackey Arena. Final score, Alabama 85, Purdue 77, in overtime. Now, finally, the Boilermakers get another crack at the Crimson Tide.
Purdue has just completed a four-game home stand. A home stand that had the Mackey Arena faithful headed for the exits by the under-four minute media time out every game. Purdue was so dominant that each time the game clock ticked under four minutes remaining, Purdue led by a minimum of 15 points.
Wake Forest was the only opponent of the four to keep it somewhat close. The Demon Deacons whittled their deficit to seven points with 27-seconds remaining. But, Purdue closed the game with four straight free throws guaranteeing Purdue fans that every home game to date has been a double-digit Boilermaker win. That was a tough loss for me as I was on the wrong end of those free-throws.
Purdue defeated their four opponents during that four game stretch by an average of 24 points per game.
Tonight, in Tuscaloosa, do not expect it to be quite as easy for the Boilers.
The Crimson Tide have won three straight and is currently 6-2 on the season. Alabama opened the year with a home loss to Cornell, but has since recovered nicely. The Tide knocked off 15th-ranked Michigan 68-66 in Orlando during the Old Spice Classic last month.
Tide Sophomore JaMychal Green was about as good as it gets against Michigan. Green scored 20 points, added 7 rebounds and four blocked shots against the Wolverines. More importantly, he dunked home the game winning shot with five-seconds to play and then ran to the defensive end and blocked Michigan's final shot at a game winner.
Alabama has long been known for its dominant football program. However, it is worth noting, the Tide has the second-most basketball victories all-time in the Southeastern Conference behind only Kentucky.
Back to football for a moment; One thing that should hold the attention of the 'Bama faithful tonight is the announcement of the Heisman Trophy winner.
Alabama sophomore running back Mark Ingram is a finalist. He is the top offensive player on the nation's number-one team and will be in New York City for the Heisman announcement. Most of the preliminary polling so far has Ingram finishing second in the balloting to Stanford's Toby Gerhart. But just imagine the scene in Tuscaloosa tonight if Ingram becomes Alabama's first ever Heisman winner.
The Tide fans may empty the Coleman Coliseum and head for the streets to celebrate.
Would that negate Alabama's home court advantage?
I am betting on Ingram to have the fans thinking of anything but this game tonight.
Purdue -6 (1 unit)