Boiler loss could prove costly

Purdue lost its home opener to Illinois Tuesday night. For fans who love defense this game surely did not dissapoint; fans who love offense have most likely already sent their game tickets to the Big Ten office demanding a refund. It pitted two disciples of Gene Keady against each other in Boiler front man Matt Painter and Illini head coach Bruce Weber. Keady was visibly pleased with the hard nosed defense he saw from both squads. Rare was the open shot, the life span of loose balls was very short and the pressure valve was cranked up as both teams tried to literally take each other apart. In the end the game came down to a few key plays. A missed free throw late in the game that would have won it for Purdue in regulation, a couple missed assignments defensively late for the Boilers and one bad call on a play where Purdue had obviously spiked the ball off Illinois. The Purdue loss could be one they team looks back on at the end of the year as the one that cost them their shot at the title. Now they must root for the other front running teams in the conference to lose at least once at home as well.