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These Boilermakers aren’t as talented, but after dispatching Gonzaga and Duke, they look darn good.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Purdue’s combination of big man Zach Edey and the shooters surrounding him solved whatever defense Duke threw at the Boilermakers on Sunday.

The win gives the Boilermakers a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker over the Illini, who were firmly in control until losing their last two games.

There’s a lot that could still happen, but the Illini aren’t likely to be the last ones standing. And they will rue Saturday’s defeat as surely as they will the 23-15 letdown against Michigan State that preceded it.

Broader implications aside, simply getting the better of the Boilermakers for a change would hit the spot. They’ve taken home the Cannon in five of the last six renditions of this rivalry series and have a five-game winning streak at Memorial Stadium, where they haven’t lost since 2010.

See how far up the power rankings Michigan State moves up after knocking off Illinois on Saturday

The Boilermakers’ day went from bad to worse following Saturday’s blowout loss to the Hawkeyes.

We should have known things wouldn't go well for the Boilermakers.

The Boilermakers have dropped 15 in a row to this week’s foe, Wisconsin, but they’re better than the Badgers. The Illini, off this week, will just have to play catch-up.