Purdue in hunt to repeat as Big Ten champs

By ROB AMEN
Collegian Sports Writer

Now that the first half of the Big Ten men's basketball season is history, things are starting to take shape in the standings. The teams that were favored to contend for the title are right in the thick of things, while the others are falling quickly by the wayside.

One team surprisingly in the hunt is Purdue. Despite the early exit of Glenn Robinson, the defending Big Ten champion continues to play quality basketball, tallying a 16-6 record (7-3 Big Ten, tied for second place).

"I think we feel pretty good about that part," Purdue Coach Gene Keady said of the Boilermakers' conference record. "Anytime you win 70 percent of your Big Ten games, you're hanging in there."

Someone who is hanging in for Keady is senior forward Cuonzo Martin. The East St. Louis, Ill., native is averaging 19.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in Big Ten contests this season.

Martin almost single-handedly carried Purdue to a victory over Michigan State last week when he scored a game-high 28 points and held national player-of-the-year candidate Shawn Respert to 12 points in the Boilermakers' 78-69 victory.

Big Ten Teaser

Name the team that set the conference record for most points scored in a single season. (Answer below.)

Oh, So Close!

This has been the year for Big Ten coaches to swallow some Mylanta while watching their teams drop close games. As of early yesterday, there were 119 total games played by 11 conference teams -- 29 of them decided by five points or less. Meanwhile, in 59 total conference games, 17 were decided by five points or less.

Iowa has been hit hardest in close games, dropping five of 11 conference games by a total of nine points -- four games by one point.

"If you give (Iowa) six or seven points," said Minnesota Coach Clem Haskins, ". . . they're fighting for the conference title."

Penn State is a close second behind the Hawkeyes with three games settled by seven points.

Game of the Week

Indiana at Michigan (3:45 p.m. Sunday). This is always an intense game no matter what the records.

After losing to Wisconsin, 70-65, last Saturday, Michigan (13-10, 7-4) has this week off to rest and prepare for Indiana (14-9, 6-5). The game will likely be decided in the paint, where Hoosier forwards Alan Henderson and Brian Evans -- who can also hit the perimeter shot -- can score and rebound. Michigan will counter with guard Jimmy King and forward Ray Jackson.

The last time these two teams met, Michigan got the better of Indiana, 65-62, in Bloomington, Ind. This game may cost the loser a spot in the NCAA tournament in March.

Quiz Answer

Michigan set the precedent for most points scored in a single season. Its 1988-89 national championship team recorded 3,393 total points -- a 91.7 average.