He is a consensus All-American. He is the early favorite to win the coveted Naismith Award. And he will probably be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this June, should he forgo his final year of eligibility.
But one title Glenn Robinson appears to have shed this year is that of a "one-man gang." Last year, Robinson averaged 24.1 points (tops in the Big Ten) and 9.1 rebounds per game in leading Purdue to an 18-10 mark and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
While Robinson was virtually unstoppable last season, Purdue fell into a trap similar to that which stymied the Chicago Bulls in Michael Jordan's early years. The Boilermakers simply became too dependent on Robinson -- "hold" Robinson to his 20-25 points and you had a good chance of beating Purdue.
Not anymore.
While Robinson is averaging a whopping 28.2 ppg and 10.5 rpg for the No. 7 Boilermakers, his teammates are also getting into the act.
Robinson's roommate, junior Cunzo Martin (16.4 ppg), scored 48 points in two Boilermaker wins over Indiana and Ohio State last week and was named Big Ten player of the week for his efforts.
"(Martin) has improved his game tremendously, and I hope he can continue to play well and continue to play at a high confidence level," Purdue Coach Gene Keady said Monday during his weekly teleconference.
Junior guard Matt Waddell is another Boilermaker playing with more confidence. A good outside shooter, Waddell was tentative in his first two seasons under Keady, a coach known for his intense demeanor and perpetual scowl. This season, a more relaxed Waddell is averaging 15.4 ppg in five Big Ten contests.
The maturation of Martin and Waddell, plenty of depth and, of course, Robinson have fans in West Lafayette thinking Big Ten Championship.
"Because Martin and Waddell are playing so well," said Penn State Coach Bruce Parkhill, whose team hosts Purdue tomorrow night, "Purdue is certainly one of the best teams in the country right now."
At what Big Ten school was legendary basketball coach John Wooden a three-time All-American on the hardwood? (Answer at bottom)
In an effort to improve his team's rebounding, Ohio State Coach Randy Ayers has scrapped his three-guard offense -- for now. Last Saturday at Purdue, Ayers started Derek Anderson and Jamie Skelton in the backcourt, with 6-foot-7 Rickey Dudley, 6-foot-9 Lawrence Funderburke and 6-foot-9 Antonio Watson up front.
"Right now we're just looking at different combinations," Ohio State Assistant Coach Mark Anderson said. "We've been getting outrebounded."
The Buckeye coaches may have to go back to the drawing board --again. Ohio State was outrebounded 45-22 in a 101-63 thumping by Purdue.
Indiana at Illinois (Sunday, 2 p.m.) -- The Fighting Illini need a win to keep pace in the tight conference race. If Illinois (3-2 in the conference) is going to make a run at the Big Ten title, it has to beat the heavyweights at home.
John Wooden, who coached UCLA to 10 NCAA Championships from 1964-75, played at Purdue from 1930-32.
