Jan 12, 2014; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue mascot Boilermaker Pete in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a rough season for the Purdue Boilermakers, but a win against the No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers today could rejuvenate them and give them a much-needed confidence boost.

Purdue suffered another “bad” loss last Tuesday against the Northwestern Wildcats in double overtime, 63-60. That loss pushed their record to 13-6, 3-3 in the Big Ten and hurt their NCAA tournament resume. Luckily for Purdue, Wisconsin is coming to town on a three-game losing streak, after starting 16-0, and have only won three times at Mackey Arena.

Center A.J. Hammons is the lynchpin for Purdue as his performance typically dictates the outcome of the game. His 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks weren’t enough to beat Northwestern, but he didn’t have much help from the rest of the squad. It will be important for Hammons to outplay his season averages of 10.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.5 blocks, as well as play with whatever passion he can muster up to make sure Purdue sends Wisconsin home with their first four-game losing streak since 2009.

Wisconsin’s big men, Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky, are the leaders of the team and the key to ending their recent slump. Dekker averages 14.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists, and Kaminsky averages 13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists. Spreading out Purdue’s defense, getting Hammons in foul trouble, and keeping the Purdue guards out of the lane will be their gameplan.

If you look at this game on paper, Wisconsin wins hands down. Their defense is ranked 38th in the nation, allowing 63.7 points per game, while their 94th ranked offense puts up 75.4 ppg. There was a reason they started the season 16-0.

Purdue on the other hand ranks 160th in defense (69.4 ppg) and 100th in offense (75.2 ppg). Purdue has also went the last three games without scoring 70 points, but played against the 36th (Illinois Fighting Illini) and 35th (Northwestern) ranked defenses.

This will be a big game for both teams as there’s only 12 games left in the regular season, including this one, for both squads. Purdue needs to add some quality wins to their resume, which this could end up being one unless Wisconsin continues to slide, and Wisconsin needs to get back on track if they expect to get a high seed in the NCAA tournament.

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