Watching the Purdue Boilermaker's recent 73-65 road victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide gave me two thoughts concerning Big 10 and national status. The Boilers made a new case for why they are a force to be reckoned with, not only in the Big 10, but in the country. Also, Chris Kramer is without a doubt the best defensive player in the conference, and maybe nationally as well.
Purdue is 9-0 for the first time in 17 years. Ranked No. 5 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls, the Boilers currently sit atop the Big 10 standings. With the 2010 Final Four back in Indianapolis, Purdue has a chance to become the story of the year if they make it to national semifinals in its home state. Head coach Matt Painter has his team playing with a swagger-a swagger that stems from the team's hard-nosed defense exemplified by Kramer.
The Huntington, Ind. native dominated the defensive end of the floor against Alabama, causing television analyst Jimmy Dykes to say this: "Chris Kramer is the best perimeter defender in the country, and it's not even close." He finished with three steals (and only one foul), not to mention adding 14 points and shooting 8-8 at the free throw line. The 6-3, 215-pound senior guard is currently second in the nation in career steals to South Carolina's Devan Downey. Kramer has led the Big 10 in steals the last two seasons, has made the all-Big Ten Defensive team three straight seasons (2007, 08, 09) and was the conference Defensive Player of the Year in '08.
A statement was made with early nonconference victories over Tennessee and Wake Forest, and the win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa increased the volume of those statements. I believe Purdue will be there in the end. With Kramer's leadership on defense, the firepower of E'Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson and Robbie Hummel on offense, Painter and the Boilers may indeed paint Indy black and gold in April.
Photo from sportsillustrated.cnn.com.
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