The One In Which I Finally Attend a Game

The tip of my first sporting event of 2012

This site is titled Confessions of a Sports Junkie. I really haven’t been feeling much like a sports junkie lately though. My last sporting event was in early December making it a nearly month and a half dry spell for me. Last night I received a text that asked if I wanted to see Purdue play Michigan tonight. I jumped at the chance. I have seen Michigan and Purdue play every year since moving back from Iowa. Purdue played a very good game against the #22 team in the country, but fell short 66-64. After a slow start to both halves Purdue had the game seemingly in control before letting it slip away. This would have been a nice win for Purdue, but the shots just didn’t fall at the end when they needed them to. Here are some photos from the game:

Tim Hardaway Jr. drives on Terone Johnson

Travis Carroll blocks the shot of Zach Novak

Did He Just Do That? (Purdue-Western Michigan Photo Gallery)

Tonight a group of us took advantage of the ticket deal and went to the Purdue game that was not originally on the schedule at the beginning of the year. The opponent was Western Michigan, and with the holiday tomorrow many people did not come out to the game. They missed out. Last year during the Michigan State game I snapped a picture just as Lewis Jackson was attempting a slam. He did not get it down, but it left everyone wondering what if. Just this week I saw some talk about whether or not LewJack could still slam. On a break in the second half he showed everyone just what he could do. He soared high enough to put down a nasty dunk. I really wish that the students were in the arena and the stands were packed. Maybe I should be happy that the stadium was only half full. I might not be able to hear right now had the place been packed. It was the highlight of the night for sure, and maybe of the non conference schedule. Instead of rambling anymore I will just post some pictures from tonight’s game.

Ryne Smith continues his hot shooting

Purdue v. High Point Photo Gallery

I normally would not post this many pictures from a basketball game, but I found a few I liked for one reason or another. I shot with my new lens, and I love how most of the pictures turned out. I will have to try it again next week when Western Michigan comes to town. Here are the pictures I liked from last nights game.

Ryne Smith puts up a three in the first half

Thank You Ryne Smith!

Ryne Smith nailing one of his eight threes tonight

Thanks to a fellow Knucklehead I attended the second game of the season tonight for the Boilers. With my Packers on Monday Night Football I thought that I would watch the game until it got ugly, and then head home to watch the Pack. Little did I know that the game would start ugly and never really get better. Purdue just really seemed to be out of it tonight. They had trouble hanging on to the ball, and more importantly could not hit a free throw. During the game I was joking around that the team already had sun tan lotion on their hands in preparation for their trip to Puerto Rico. If not for a great night by Senior Ryne Smith I think the Boilers would be 1-1 on the season. Instead they sit at 2-0 going into the tournament. Smith nailed eight threes, but his most important shot might have been a jumper from just inside that arc that was the difference in the game. I read a lot of comments bashing Smith this past week so it was nice to see him come out and carry the team on his back. He is that little bulldog that you need out there. Scoring 26 points is nice as well.

Purdue vs. Northern State Photo Gallery

Instead of rambling on about a complete mismatch in an exhibition game I thought that I would just post a few pictures from the game. Nobody reads what I write anyway do they? One thought before I get started though. Was anyone else nervous about seeing Robbie Hummel on the floor against a team wearing Minnesota colors? The colors of Minnesota thrown together with the Hickory uniform seemed to get Rob fired up enough to have a great game. It was fun seeing him on the court again.

I have been experimenting in some HDR photography, and this is the new front entrance with a small HDR spin

Raise Another Banner! (JaJuan Johnson is an All American!)

 

JJ ready to throw it down

I am a day late on this, but felt that I needed to write something positive the way the last couple of days have gone. Yesterday the AP All American selections were announced. With his inclusion JaJuan is now a consensus All American. That means that he will have a banner in the rafters along with Glenn Robinson, John Wooden, and Rick Mount. This is a great accomplishment for a great guy.

Kelsey Barlow Suspended For the Rest of the Season

Kelsey Barlow near the rim earlier this season

I go a few hours without checking the internet, and huge news comes out of Purdue on the eve of the tournament. According to Shakespeare Julius Caesar was told by a soothsayer “Beware the Ides of March.” Apparently nobody told that to Kelsey.

Seniors Lead the Way To Win Over Illinois

 

The two seniors say goodbye at home

Last night the game was in doubt on several occasions. Each time it seems like the two seniors, JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore, seemed to take control and will the team to victory. For the first ten minutes of the game though we were seeing the Illinois team that everyone thought we would be seeing all season. They were on fire shooting 77% from the floor at one point. Part of that great percentage was the amount of uncontested layups that the Illini  had. They were getting open with ease for some reason. I don’t know if the Purdue defense was too keyed up early or what, but they were not looking too good. Illinois ran the score up to 31-18 before Purdue seemed to come to life.

Thanks For the Memories: JaJuan Johnson

Four years ago I was not too sure about this skinny freshman. I had heard about how good he was, but all I saw was another Jonathan Uchendu. He was just so skinny, and I don’t relate well to either skinny players or tall players let alone both. He would throw down a monster dunk, but when you are that tall who can’t? Back then I thought his name was pronounced with the second J being used. I quickly found out that was not the case. That does not seem that long ago.

College Basketball Game of the Week (Senior Night Edition)

 

E'Twaun and JJ will be on this bench one last time Tuesday

This week we say goodbye to two players who have given a lot to Purdue. I will have more on the Senior Night of E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson later in the week. The game of the week is obviously the game Tuesday when the Boilers take on Illinois at home. This will be the final time both Moore and Johnson play in front of their home crowd. On paper this game should not be too bad for the Boilers. They handled Illinois very easy in Champaign, and you would think things would be easier for Purdue at Mackey. This is the Big Ten though, and anything can happen on any night.