INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Purdue’s offense has hit some rough patches since Robbie Hummel’s injury. A defense that has remained among the nation’s stingiest has made up for it.
The Boilermakers have improved in every major defensive category since their most versatile player went down for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee last month, a loss that has caused the offense to struggle to score at times.
They’ll need a similar defensive effort in a Sweet 16 matchup with Duke (31-5) on Friday in Houston.
Purdue (29-5) is 5-2 since Hummel’s injury on Feb. 24. In those seven games, Purdue’s opponents have shot a combined 38.7 percent from the field. The Boilermakers have forced 16.3 turnovers per game during that stretch and allowed an average of 60.4 points in those games.
