Michigan defense suffocates Purdue basketball, leading to early Big Ten Tournament exit
INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since 2021, Purdue basketball will watch the Big Ten Tournament semifinals from home.
Michigan manhandled the Boilermakers with a disrupting defense early that put Purdue in a big hole they couldn't dig out of.
Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith and first-team all-conference center Trey Kaufman-Renn were held in check. The Wolverines, led by their formidable front court duo of Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf along with a boost off the bench from forward Will Tschetter, advanced to the Big Ten semis with a 86-68 victory over Purdue Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Boilermakers also got a scare in the second half beyond the scoreboard when junior guard Fletcher Loyer exited the game with 13:09 to go after an injury to his left arm. Loyer returned, but finished 0-for-6, symbolizing a night where Purdue shot 33.8%.
After earning No. 1 seeds the last two NCAA Tournaments, the Boilers (22-11) have some uncertainty about where they'll be seeded.
Purdue basketball turning point
The Boilers have been susceptible giving up big runs.
After Purdue scored the first six points, Michigan went on a 10-0 run in 1:35. That early punch was all the Wolverines needed.
It was a game of catch up for Purdue from there.
The Boilermakers eventually fell behind by 10 at 3:10 before holding the Wolverines without a field goal the rest of the first half.
Still, Michigan maintained a 40-36 lead, then opened the second half with five straight points. The rest of the night followed suit in a series of rinse and repeats.
3 stars
Danny Wolf, Michigan: Wolf scored 18 points on 70% shooting. For good measure, his stat line included 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
Vlad Goldin, Michigan: Goldin's biggest impact was making life hectic on Kaufman-Renn. But his 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks also aided as Michigan hailed victory.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue: He was still Purdue's best, and sometimes only, offensive option. Michigan knew it and was ready for it, keeping Kaufman-Renn, a 61.1% shooter coming in, to 9 of 24. He still ended up with 24 points and 9 rebounds.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball falls to Michigan, awaits NCAA Tournament
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