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Sweet 16 Link Fun: Purdue vs. UConn

We love the Boilermakers. We really do. But let's look at the last time they battled a potential Top-5-in-the-Draft big man.

by Ted Bauer, via YouTube

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You may not see this happiness against UConn. You may, but please, you also may not.

On paper, the Purdue vs. UConn tilt in the West Regional could be interesting: the Boilermakers are a scrappy team (fun to call 'em "dogged") and Robbie Hummel and Chris Kramer are tenacious defenders. You an Insider? Then read this. Here's the thing, though: for as good a game as JaJuan Johnson had against Washington, he gives up three-four inches to Hasheem Thabeet—and that's before you take into account that A.J. Price is playing some serious ball right now. We have this pegged for a blowout, although we love seeing No. 1 seeds fall, so we'd gladly eat crow on it. Want some visual evidence? Check out what Blake Griffin did to the Boilermakers in November: 18 points, 21 boards and a Preseason NIT title. Bring your rebounding shoes, JaJuan. It'll be an intense night.


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