INDIANAPOLIS — The much-anticipated clash in Indianapolis between No. 11 Purdue and No. 17 Texas A&M transformed into a physical showdown fit for old-school basketball. Meanwhile, No. 20 Wisconsin mirrored this tenacity against Butler, creating a spectacle that showcased the raw intensity of the sport.
In the aftermath of the Boilermakers’ narrow 70-66 defeat, Purdue’s coach Matt Painter reflected on the battle. “They’re a tough, hard-nosed, physical team and they certainly play a little differently from some of the teams we’ve played in their league,” Painter acknowledged, noting that the Aggies played with a dominant toughness that day.
Purdue faced a different dynamic without the presence of two-time national player of the year Zach Edey, a driving force for their team in previous seasons. The Aggies took full advantage of this and established their dominance in the paint, focusing on offensive strategies that shifted attention away from Purdue’s emerging star, Trey Kaufman-Renn. The game plan succeeded splendidly, as Kaufman-Renn struggled with his shooting, finishing with just 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting, well below his season average of 18.9 points.
The Aggies, known for their prowess in offensive rebounding, embraced their core identity of toughness, as highlighted by guard Zhuric Phelps. “Our toughness, that’s our identity,” Phelps said. Both he and Pharrel Payne delivered crucial performances, scoring 16 points each, with Payne contributing nine rebounds and Phelps providing four assists in a match characterized by relentless physicality.
As the Boilermakers attempted a late comeback, Steven Crowl of Wisconsin seized the moment. Coming off a challenging stretch, Crowl aimed to bounce back and prove his mettle, scoring 18 points and seizing six rebounds against Butler. This represented a significant turnaround, considering he had struggled in previous losses. Crowl’s early baskets set the tone for the Badgers, and he expressed gratitude for the hard work his team had put into their practices leading up to the game. “We’ve really been getting into it, making a concerted effort to be aggressive as a team,” he shared.
Crowl also played a pivotal role in mentoring second-year center Nolan Winter, who flourished with a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds in the match. Wisconsin, eager to break their losing streak since November 30, triumphed over Butler with a score of 83-74, marking a significant win for the team.
For Butler coach Thad Matta, the physical style of play was reminiscent of his days at Ohio State. His team, now at a 7-4 record, understood the need to adopt a tougher approach as they gear up to start their Big East play against No. 5 Marquette. Patrick McCaffery, a forward for Butler, whose perseverance stands testament to the team’s resolve, said after a 16-point game, “Just because you lose three games in a row, it doesn’t mean you’re going to have a bad season. It’s just you’ve got to show up the next day, go to practice, put in the work and keep pushing forward.”
