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Boilermakers battle Bears in West Regional action

Thu 20th, March 2008

Washington D.C. (Sports Network) - For the first time in 20 seasons, Baylor will participate in the NCAA Tournament, as the 11th-seeded Bears will take on the sixth-seeded Purdue Boilermakers this afternoon at the Verizon Center in West Regional action.

The last time the Bears took part in this event was in 1988, and the team suffered a first round setback to Memphis State by a 75-60 margin. Overall, Baylor is just 3-6 in the NCAA Tournament, and did make one title game back in 1948, but lost to Kentucky, 58-42. Baylor finished this season with a solid 21-10 ledger, but down the stretch the squad stumbled, losing eight of its last 13 games, including a double-overtime, 91-84 setback to Colorado in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.

As for the Boilermakers, they have had much more experience in this event, as this will be the team's 22nd appearance, and second in a row. Last season as a ninth-seed the Boilermakers upended Arizona, 72-63, before falling to the champion Florida Gators 74-67. This year the Boilermakers were one of the biggest surprises in college basketball, posting a 24-8 ledger, which included a 15-3 mark in Big Ten action. Unfortunately Purdue did not last long in the Big Ten Tournament, as the team fell to Illinois in the quarterfinals, 74-67.

The Bears evened the all-time series against Purdue with a thrilling, 73-72 win over the Boilermakers back in 2004. The winner of this matchup will move on to the next round and will battle either Xavier or Georgia.

The Bears have dominated their opponents using a tenacious approach at the offensive end of the floor, as Baylor is producing a stellar 81.4 ppg, while shooting 45.6 percent from the field. Curtis Jerrells is one of four players averaging double figures for Baylor and heads into this game with a solid 14.9 ppg, and is also posting a team-high 3.6 apg. LaceDarius Dunn has been a tremendous boast off the bench for the Bears, as the top reserve is contributing 13.5 ppg to go along with 4.1 rpg. Kevin Rogers has been the main source of production in the paint for the Bears, as the forward is netting 12.4 ppg to go along with a team-high 8.6 rpg. Henry Dugat has started every game this season for the Bears, and is chipping in 12.1 ppg to go along with 4.1 rpg and a team-best 45 steals. Unfortunately the team has struggled a bit defensively, surrendering 74.4 ppg, while allowing the opposition to shoot 42.9 percent from the floor.

Purdue is a prototypical Big Ten team. The Boilermakers will beat down their opponent with tenacious defensive play, and will find a way to score timely baskets. Purdue has limited the opposition to a meager 61.2 ppg and has allowed teams to shoot a mediocre 43.4 percent from the floor. At the other end of the floor, the Boilermakers have been led by E'Twaun Moore, who is shooting 43.8 percent from long range, while scoring a team-high 12.7 ppg. Robbie Hummel has made an immediate impact as a freshman, contributing 11.6 ppg to go along with a team-high 6.1 rpg and 82 assists. Keaton Grant is also shooting 43.8 percent from behind the arc this season, and is helping the Boilermakers with 10.7 ppg. As a whole, the Boilermakers have been mediocre at best, netting 68.7 ppg, while shooting 42.3 percent from the floor.

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