Hammons scores 32 as Purdue dominates Nebraska

Cliff January 31, 2016 1

By KEITH CARRELL
ISL Correspondent

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. _ A.J. Hammons.

That’s really all that needs to be said about this game, as Hammons had a career-high 32 points in leading Purdue over Nebraska 89-74 on Saturday. In fairness to the rest of the Boilermakers, he certainly didn’t do it alone, but … A.J. Hammons.

The 7-foot center, coming off of a lackluster performance against Minnesota earlier in the week, began the game on fire, earning 10 points and a block just five minutes into the game. In the first half alone, Hammons had 18 points and two blocks, including a crowd pleasing, emphatic tip-dunk as time expired. He wasn’t satisfied with just one good half though, as Purdue has seemed to be frequently this season, because he chipped in another 14 points, five assists, and two blocks in the second half.

For the game, the senior had a career high in points and season high in assists on his way to 32 points, eleven rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and a steal in 29 minutes. For some perspective on that, the only other player in the past 20 seasons to have 32 points, eleven rebounds, five assists, and four blocks in a single game was Georgetown’s Mike Sweetney (35-20-6-6). In that 2002 tilt against Notre Dame, Sweetney played 49 minutes in game that went into four overtimes.

Oh yeah, he also had seven dunks. Here’s all of them, courtesy of the Big Ten Network:

When asked about what led to Hammons’ demonstrative game, fellow senior Rapheal Davis quipped, “He goes through some rough things in practice (against Isaac Haas and assistant coach Brandon Brantley) where he has to fight through things and today he played mad.” Davis continued, “When he plays that well, with cracks at the rim, it’s good for us.”

With stats like that one could presume the game would have been a blowout, but Nebraska was not going to stand aside and just let Purdue have it. The Cornhuskers are too good of a team for that, and Tim Miles is too good of a coach for that to happen. Nebraska had a good game on the offensive end of the court, making 45.2% of its shots, led by a quartet of shooters in Andrew White III (18), Tai Webster (17), Shavon Shields (16), and Glynn Watson, Jr (11).

At the half, Purdue led 44-35 thanks in large part to the center position and free throw shooting. Aiding Nebraska in staying in the game was an all-too-familiar subplot, Purdue struggled to take care of the basketball. Turnovers have cost them dearly in each of their losses this season (averaging 14 turnovers per loss) and if it weren’t for Hammons’ career night or other teammates stepping up at crucial moments, this game easily could have flipped in the Huskers’ favor; Nebraska netted 22 points directly off of Purdue’s 15 turnovers in the game.

Midway through the second half, Purdue pushed the lead to 15 points before Nebraska went on an 8-0 run to cut it to seven. Here’s where the leadership of the team stepped in; Davis ensured the lead wasn’t evaporated by nailing a three to end Nebraska’s run. Over the next few possessions the Cornhuskers were able to cut the lead down to six twice. Each time, there was Davis (17-6-2) knocking down a three and another three until eventually Purdue’s offense was too much for Nebraska to overcome.

Haas also had an efficient game on the offensive end and had eleven points in the first half. To that end, Matt Painter stated, “Isaac is one of the best centers in college basketball, but Hammons might be the best center in college basketball.” Haas’ minutes were limited in the second half, but that had more to do with Hammons having his best game at Purdue than Haas playing poorly.

Caleb Swanigan returned to the starting lineup after missing the Minnesota game with an injured ankle. He appeared apprehensive on the offensive end where he passed up a number of shots, but still managed to have a decent, if not quiet, night with six points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Vince Edwards, Purdue’s best player in recent games, also struggled on the offensive end (2-11 FG, 3 TO) where he missed a number of close range shots and struggled to take care of the ball, but he did not allow that to affect the rest of his game.

Purdue honored the 1994-1996 “3-peat” teams who won three straight Big Ten Championships throughout the game. Prior to the game 1996 replica Big Ten Championship rings were given away to the first 1,996 fans through the gate. The team wore throwback uniforms (think Glenn Robinson – it may be my age, but those uniforms just look a cut above the current jerseys) during the contest and held a halftime presentation for a number of managers, coaches, and players from the 1994-1996 team, including head coach Gene Keady who said a few quick words about how the team, then and now, has to be a family and play together.

Here are the overall highlights, from the Big Ten Network:

Quick Hits:

Hammons’ 32 points bettered his previous career-high 30-point performance in a loss against IU his freshman year… Hammons’ final dunk got him to the 1,400 career points plateau… Purdue made 59% of their field goals (33-56), including 7-12 from behind the arc, to go along with a strong 16-18 performance from the charity stripe… Purdue had 27 assists on 33 made field goals (1 assist shy of their season high against Howard)… Although Purdue has struggled with turnovers a number of times this season, P.J. Thompson has not; in the past 7 games, Thompson has 22 assists to 1 turnover… Purdue currently leads the Big Ten in overall wins with 19, but sits in 5^th in the conference standings at 7-3… Kendall Stephens still has not returned to the team after taking a personal leave due to the death of a close high school friend; Painter checks in with Stephens every few days to get an update… Nebraska had won three straight Big Ten road games, including Michigan State, prior to Saturday’s loss… Purdue will have a week off before they play at Maryland on Saturday… In a scheduling quirk, Nebraska’s next game is also against Maryland.