After losing past five meetings, Hoosiers to battle rival Boilermakers at Mackey Arena

This is not how Purdue forward Robbie Hummel envisioned his college career ending.

While classmates JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore were hearing their names called in the NBA Draft this past summer, Hummel was rehabbing his second knee injury in as many years.

Electing to come back for a fifth and final season this year, Hummel has helped lead a young Boilermakers team to a 5-4 Big Ten record and has them in the discussion for a fifth-straight NCAA Tournament bid.

“Rob’s a big piece of our puzzle, and Rob’s strengths are letting the game come to him and making the right play,” Purdue Coach Matt Painter said. “He’s an easy guy to coach, and he’s an easy guy in terms of being a teammate. We have a lot of young talent that I think have done a good job with him.”

Hummel leads the Boilermakers (15-7, 5-4) in averaging 15.2 points per game.
Taking the burden of being Purdue’s most consistent offensive threat has worn on Hummel.

Against Michigan State on Jan. 21, Hummel was 0-of-11 from the floor, which was the first time in his 114 career games as Boilermakers that he did not make a shot.

The fifth-year senior bounced back this past Sunday against Northwestern, hitting a game-winning jumper to give Purdue its third Big Ten road win of the season.

Heading into the first of two games against No. 20 Indiana (17-6, 5-6) on Saturday, the
Boilermakers have defeated the Hoosiers in their past five meetings, which is the longest winning streak Purdue has had in the series since 1972.

The rivalry between IU and Purdue is expected to stay on solid ground in the coming years with both teams bringing in top recruiting classes the next two seasons.

For IU and Purdue, 11 of the 15 commits in the next two classes hail from Indiana.

“Obviously it’s a good rivalry,” Painter said. “Both programs have a lot of basketball tradition. It’s always a great game for the fans to get excited to see their team play their rival.”

Purdue had the week off after winning at Northwestern this past Saturday, and though the team had the chance to rest, its coach doesn’t know if that will benefit his players.

“I like staying in a routine,” Painter said. “But sometimes it can help a team, especially if you’re banged up. We’ve been banged up a little bit, so hopefully it can help you from a physical standpoint, but it’s the old argument what means more really from a mental standpoint is more important than a physical standpoint. I like playing every Wednesday-Saturday because it keeps you on a routine and keeps you sharp.”

IU heads into its second road game in four days coming off a 68-56 loss to No. 22/23 Michigan on Wednesday night.

The Hoosiers dug themselves into a hole and never recovered, losing their fifth game in seven tries.

“I’m glad we have a short week,” IU Coach Tom Crean said. “I’m glad we don’t have to sit around a week and wait to play again.”