In a thrilling showdown between two top-ranked teams, No. 2 Purdue emerged victorious with a hard-fought 75-69 win over No. 6 Wisconsin. The Boilermakers extended their winning streak to seven games, while also solidifying their position at the top of the Big Ten standings.
Led by a stellar performance from Lance Jones, who contributed 20 points, Purdue took control of the game midway through the first half and never relinquished their lead. Braden Smith added 19 points to the Boilermakers' tally, while 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey made his mark on the game with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocked shots.
Edey's outstanding performance not only helped Purdue secure the win but also etched his name in the history books. With his 201 career blocks, Edey now joins the elite company of Patrick Ewing and David Robinson as the only players in NCAA history to achieve the impressive feat of combining 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 200 blocks while shooting over 60% from the field.
This game also marked Edey's 74th consecutive outing in which he scored in double figures, further solidifying his status as one of the nation's premier scorers. Earlier in the week, Edey had broken a 54-year-old school record held by Rick Mount, scoring 30 points in an overtime victory against Northwestern.
Wisconsin put up a valiant fight, with Tyler Wahl leading the Badgers' offense with a season-high 20 points. He also contributed seven rebounds and five assists to his team's efforts. AJ Storr added 14 points, but struggled with his shooting, going 4-for-15 from the field.
Purdue took control of the game with a decisive 12-3 run sparked by Smith and Jones, turning a 17-14 deficit into a 26-20 advantage. The Boilermakers would extend their lead to 10 points with just over 14 minutes remaining when Edey threw down a thunderous dunk off a lob from Fletcher Loyer.
However, Wisconsin refused to go down without a fight. Wahl's offensive rebound and putback off his missed 3-pointer cut Purdue's lead to 59-57 with less than five minutes remaining. But despite late attempts to narrow the gap, including a midcourt steal by Chucky Hepburn, the Badgers were unable to regain the elusive lead.
Purdue's victory solidifies their position as the team to beat in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference. With a conference record of 10-2, the Boilermakers now hold a 1.5-game advantage over Wisconsin, who suffered their second consecutive loss.
Looking ahead, Purdue will host Indiana in their next game, while Wisconsin will travel to face Michigan. Both teams will undoubtedly aim to bounce back and regain their winning momentum.
In terms of the rankings, Purdue is expected to maintain their No. 2 spot, as top-ranked UConn remained unscathed this week. However, Wisconsin may face a drop in the rankings after their 0-2 week, including losses to Nebraska and Purdue.
As the college basketball season progresses, the competition will only intensify. Fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups and captivating performances as teams jockey for position in the AP Top 25 rankings.
