[NU Sports] Nailbiter/heartbreaker

[Weinbaum, Willie]

Purdue's defense was stifling - - perhaps the season's best combination of fullcourt pressure on Thompson and focus on Shurna, the Cats didn't have answers for Moore and Johnson...and the bad night for Mirkovic really hurt (the back woes, the foul trouble and the unfathomable tech/five-point play, after what had been a promising start for him with three nice assists).

The Cats started on fire from long range, but many shaky possessions, missed opportunities and lapses on the boards caught up with them.  It was a helluva comeback to cut it to one late, typical of a gutsy and memorable season.

Great for this team to have an unprecedented 20 wins and let's hope there'll be a shot at more in the postseason.

Regardless, Thompson's leadership and indomitability in the clutch, Nash's defense and improvement, Shurna's development into an unassuming star, Crawford's grace and promise...so much to enjoy and so much to look forward to...

So thanks to Carmody's Cats and here's to more!

>From Blackberry - please excuse typos

W. Weinbaum
Producer
212-916-9864 (24-hour voicemail)
willie.weinbaum at espn.com