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Purdue battles Illinois in Big Ten quarterfinals

Fri 14th, March 2008

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Quarterfinal action of the Big Ten Tournament will take place at the Conseco Fieldhouse when the second-seeded Purdue Boilermakers collide with the 10th-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini.

The Fighting Illini pushed on in the tournament in thrilling fashion, defeating Penn State, 64-63 in the final seconds. It was a great victory for Illinois, which struggled through most of the season, collecting just 14 wins and a meager 5-13 league ledger. The Illini have dominated this tournament over the year, posting an 18-8 mark to go along with two championships.

As for the 17th-ranked Boilermakers, they were the surprise of the Big Ten, as the team collected an outstanding 15-3 Big Ten record. It was the best conference mark for Purdue since the 1995-96 campaign. The Boilermakers dominated the last half of the season, winning 17 of their last 20 games, and because of their success head coach Matt Painter was selected as Big Ten Coach of the Year. The winner of this matchup will move on to the semifinal round to face either Minnesota or Indiana.

With respect to the all-time series between the two schools, the Boilermakers own an 88-81 edge over Illinois and that includes two wins this year.

Chester Frazier played the hero role last night for the Illini, as the guard connected on a layup with just 3.8 seconds remaining in regulation to give Illinois a thrilling one-point win over Penn State. Illinois shot a mediocre 42.0 percent from the floor in the win, and used a 9-of-20 clip from behind the arc. Brian Randle scored 17 points to lead the Illini, and Trent Meacham added 14 points. Meacham heads into tonight's matchup averaging 10.8 ppg on the season, while Randle is chipping in just 9.5 ppg for Illinois. As for the team's leading scorer and rebounder, Shaun Pruitt (12.4 ppg and 7.2 rpg), he added a double-double against Penn State, netting 10 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Throughout the season, Illinois has been up and down offensively, as the squad is currently producing just 64.1 ppg, while shooting 43.1 percent from the floor. The Illini have done a strong job on the glass, however, outrebounding the competition by 4.8 rpg. Not to be overlooked is the team's effort at the defensive end of the floor, as Illinois is limiting the opposition to just 61.3 ppg and 39.6 percent shooting from the floor.

Purdue's defensive play has been tenacious all year long and any team that is pitted against the Boilermakers will have to earn every single point. Purdue has limited the opposition to just 60.8 ppg and a mediocre 42.8 percent shooting effort. Where the Boilermakers truly excel is in the turnover department, as the team is forcing a whopping 17.5 tpg, while also collecting a solid 8.4 spg. Leading the Boilermakers at the other end of the floor is E'Twaun Moore. Moore, who is shooting an strong 42.6 percent from long range, is averaging 12.4 ppg on the year for Purdue, and also has dished out 81 assists. If not for Indiana's Eric Gordon, Robbie Hummel could have collected the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Hummel was sensational for Purdue, shooting over 45.0 percent from behind the arc, while posting 11.7 ppg to go along with 5.9 rpg, 80 assists and 40 steals. Keaton Grant is a solid third option for Purdue, as the guard is netting 10.7 ppg on the year. As a team, Purdue has not been overwhelming offensively, but the squad is producing 68.8 ppg.

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