2019-20 A Season in ReviewAttacking the BIG-TENLets be honest, 5 straight winning seasons, 2 Big-Ten Championships and an Elite Eight appearance, thats how
Matt Painter left the Boilermakers. This meant
Chad-Chad Chadderson II had alot to live up to as he began his rebuilding process as Head Coach in Purdue.
The roster had a new look to it, hopes were pinned on Juniors
Josh Harris and
Roy Jones to help carry the team forward, but there were many questions to be answered.
Things started out badly, a preseason Tournament loss to New Mexico State was a convincing 73-82 and an immediate shock to the system. However the non-Conference schedule was alot kinder as Purdue would rack up 8 straight wins, 6 of which came at home, putting up notable scorelines on Bradley (79-53), Cal St. Northridge (92-63) before hitting the road and 100+ points in a thumping of the Providence Friars 106-77.
The team was sharing the love and
Chad-Chad was feeling it, his 9-1 Boilermakers were hitting their stride.
Harris and
Jones averaging over 10pts, whilst the bench contributed as the lack of a superstar ensured a team effort was needed.
A gleaming
Chadderson II said at the time
"I came here to win and thats what we are proving. You can talk about the opposition but facts are we are 9-1 and going into Conference play with no pressure on us. We can keep it going, there are no reasons why we cant do the same to the teams in the Big-Ten and im confident when I say that"Alas the good times had to come and
Chadderson II would look to eat his own words, as Purdue struggled to find their rhythm. First up Penn State took care of business, as Purdue would lose their opening 3 road games, with #19 Maryland and #11 Wisconsin also handing out licks in unforgiving fashion (the former notching a 26pt romp).
But at home Purdue had more about them, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska were beaten to even things at .500, before back to back road wins saw the Boilermakers move up the standings into a more respectable position. Wisconsin would then inflict the teams first (and only) home loss in Conference play, but a 5 game winning streak alleviated any pressure
Chadderson II was under as the team climbed into contention to play in the Big-Ten Tournament.
A tight 61-60 win over #4 Ohio State would be a highlight in the teams schedule as they concluded their schedule on a 7-2 streak, although they would lose in OT at Northwestern to round off the season, leaving the 13-7 Boilermakers doing just enough to finish 4th in the Conference.
Into the Big-Ten Tournament and Indiana would be eliminated with ease 71-64 as the team had hopes of collecting a Championship. However Maryland had too much for them in the Semi Finals as a 53-66 loss was put down to tiredness by a beleaguered looking
Chadderson II at the buzzer.
All this meant that the team had earned an #8 seed going into the NCAA Tournament and a matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers, who had finished 11-7 in the SEC (22-11 Overall). In a shootout, Purdue did enough to edge out the Vols' with Harris leading the way and driving Purdue into the 2nd round.
Yet the run would be cut short just as it begun. #2 Duke were one of the favourites for the whole thing and they showed that, dishing out the teams worst loss of the year, wiping Purdue up 66-91 in a harsh lesson as to how far away the Boilermakers are from winning it all.
The dream was over for this year,
Chadderson II said
"We had a shot, in fairness I think thats as far as this team could have took us under these circumstances. There is plenty left in the tank of these guys to take us closer and we will work on that, work on our flaws and come back stronger for another run"
