Indiana vs. Purdue: Best games from the last decade of the rivalry
By Joey Loose
4. Purdue 67, at Indiana 63 (February 19, 2015)
Three weeks earlier, Indiana had traveled to Purdue and lost by sixteen, stifled by the Boilermakers defense and falling despite 21 points from Yogi Farrell. Both teams badly needed this game to stay in the competitive Big Ten race, though Purdue’s season had been slightly more impressive to this point. Both teams had already won three games against ranked teams (including Purdue’s home win over the Hoosiers), though Indiana (18-8, 8-5) needed the game more to catch Purdue (17-9, 9-4) in the standings.
They wouldn’t have it however, as Purdue inevitably prevailed in a game that was tight throughout. Neither team led by more than eight at any point, and every time the other team had an answer. Purdue made just 11.1% of their 3-pointers, but heavily out-rebounded the Hoosiers (38 to 21). A close game late, Farrell’s 3 gave Indiana a one-point lead with under two minutes to go, but a pair of lay-ups by Rapheal Davis gave Purdue the lead and a slight cushion, and the Hoosiers would piss a pair of late 3-pointers. A. J. Hammons was a force down low, pacing Purdue with his 20 points. Farrell was good for 21 once more for the Hoosiers, but once again, it just wasn’t enough.
These were both NCAA Tournament teams, but neither was extremely impressive once they got there. After the nice win, Purdue would drop three of their last six regular season games, including a 20-point loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament. They would receive a 9-seed and fall to Cincinnati in overtime in their opening round game. For Indiana, there would be more close losses, but enough resume to land a 10-seed, though the Hoosiers would also lose immediately, falling to 7-seed Wichita State. Fortunately, both teams would be much improved in 2016.