Thursday, January 20
Bloomington, Ind.
7:00 PM
Indiana University
vs
Purdue
It’s On -- IU Aims To ‘Protect Home’ Against Rival Purdue
1/20/2022 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Once upon a time, the sweater ruled Indiana basketball games. The Bob Knight fashion statement fueled victories and championships for decades.
Now, with Purdue coming to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall Thursday night for a game rich in Big Ten and national ramifications, the suit generates acclaim.
Or so the buzz goes.
Ask guard Rob Phinisee about the prospect of students wearing suits at the game to reflect the perception that when coach Mike Woodson wears a suit, the Hoosiers win, so if the arena is full of suits, the No. 4 Boilers are in big trouble, and the response is, well, go for it.
"That would be crazy to see," Phinisee says. "I doubt it will happen, but we're really looking forward to the atmosphere. If we see everyone in suits, that would be funny."
IU (13-4 overall, 4-3 in the Big Ten) could use some fun against a rival that has won nine straight in the series, five straight at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The last Cream 'n Crimson win came in 2016 as part of Indiana's Big Ten title run.
Phinisee, like every Hoosier, has never beaten Purdue. He says players have talked about ending the streak since the beginning of the season.
Now that the opportunity is almost here, "Everyone has been energetic in practice."
Energy doesn't come with a loss of perspective. As senior forward Race Thompson says, "We've got to protect home court. That's really all it is. We can beat anybody when we play well. Just protect home court and try to get a W."
There once was a time Phinisee seemed destined to become a Boilermaker.
He was a high school superstar at McCutcheon just outside of Lafayette and a major Boiler recruiting target.
Instead, he became a Hoosier, the first time Indiana had landed a scholarship player from Lafayette since 1948, when Indiana Mr. Basketball Bob Masters and Lafayette Jeff teammate Charlie Vaughn chose the Cream 'n Crimson.
Phinisee has seen the rivalry from both sides.
"Being from Lafayette, you see the bad blood," he says. "All the guys from Indiana know how big this game is."
As for Woodson, he says "It's always been a battle. They've had their way of late, but hopefully we can make that change.
"We've got to commit ourselves for 40 minutes. It's not something that will be hand-delivered to us. You've got to go get it."
Getting it includes not making the game bigger than it is.
"It's just the next game," Woodson says. "The rivalry is what it is. Protecting home is more important. Everything else takes care of itself."
Indiana is 11-0 at home this season with eight straight double-digit victories. Add the expected raucous crowd and if ever there was an opportunity to break the streak, this is it.
"We play well at home," Woodson says. "It's in front of our fans. We've just got to commit for 40 minutes."
Woodson, a former Hoosier All-America, has experienced the highs and lows of this rivalry as a player, but never as a coach.
The low came in his final game, when IU lost to Purdue in the 1980 NCAA tourney Sweet Sixteen. Woodson, in a remarkable comeback from back surgery, got the Hoosiers a Big Ten title, but couldn't get them to the Final Four in Indianapolis. He also lost a chance to pass Don Schlundt as Indiana's career scoring leader.
"They were the better team that night," Woodson says. "I didn't have much left in the tank as I thought coming back from back surgery.
"To go out that way was tough, because it's Purdue. But it was a hell of a run for me.
"We've moved on, and now I'm here back coaching, so it's all great."
Purdue is 15-2 and 2-1 in true road games, including Monday's victory at Big Ten-leader Illinois.
The Boilers have one of the nation's best offenses. They have scored 90 or more points nine times, more than any other team in the country. Much of that comes from their ability to get to the free throw line. They have outscored opponents by 124 points from the line. That, too, leads the nation.
Purdue's imposing size starts with 7-4, 295-pound Zach Edey, who has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games. In that stretch, he has 93 points and 38 rebounds in 93 minutes. He averages 15.6 points and 7.5 rebounds in just 17.8 minutes. He shoots 70.7 percent from the field.
Then there's 6-10 Trevion Williams, who has only started four times, but who thrives in crunch time. He averages 13.4 points and 8.5 rebounds in 20.7 minutes. He leads the Boilers with 16 steals.
Guard Jaden Ivey averages a team-leading 16.4 points, along with 5.2 rebounds. He shoots 43 percent from three-point range.
Guard Sasha Stefanovic averages 11.8 points. He leads Purdue with 65 assists and 45 three-pointers.
"They're a hell of a team," Woodson says. "Their front court is good, and they've got guys who can make the long ball. They pose a double threat. They've got inside and out, and we've got to defend it.
"They've got the total package. (Coach Matt) Painter has done a hell of a job in terms of implementing his system. It should be a hell of a game."
IU All-America forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is recovering from a hard fall suffered late in Monday's Nebraska victory. Woodson says Jackson-Davis didn't do much in Tuesday's practice, but "he'll be ready to play."
Purdue's imposing front court will likely mean more playing time for 7-foot center Michael Durr.
"He's going to have to play some minutes because (Purdue) has that double threat in Williams and the big fella (Edey)," Woodson says. "We've got to keep bodies on them. He'll probably play a bit more than he has in the past."
This could be a huge opportunity for Phinisee, who continues to search for consistency. He's only scored a total of two points in the last two games after getting 13 in a win over Minnesota.
Woodson has this message for him:
"I have your back."
"He's had a tough go of it in the past," Woodson says. "I'm trying to get him to forget the past. You're playing for Coach Woodson now, and Coach Woodson loves you. I'm in your corner.
"I'm saying it's okay to do your thing, because I see something in him that maybe he doesn't see in himself. I think he can help us in this journey."
If that includes Thursday night, all the better. Given the expected sell-out crowd, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall could be at its most intimidating. That wasn't the case during last season's pandemic-caused crowd limitations.
"It's going to be crazy," Phinisee says, "especially because fans weren't allowed in last year."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Once upon a time, the sweater ruled Indiana basketball games. The Bob Knight fashion statement fueled victories and championships for decades.
Now, with Purdue coming to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall Thursday night for a game rich in Big Ten and national ramifications, the suit generates acclaim.
Or so the buzz goes.
Ask guard Rob Phinisee about the prospect of students wearing suits at the game to reflect the perception that when coach Mike Woodson wears a suit, the Hoosiers win, so if the arena is full of suits, the No. 4 Boilers are in big trouble, and the response is, well, go for it.
"That would be crazy to see," Phinisee says. "I doubt it will happen, but we're really looking forward to the atmosphere. If we see everyone in suits, that would be funny."
IU (13-4 overall, 4-3 in the Big Ten) could use some fun against a rival that has won nine straight in the series, five straight at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The last Cream 'n Crimson win came in 2016 as part of Indiana's Big Ten title run.
Phinisee, like every Hoosier, has never beaten Purdue. He says players have talked about ending the streak since the beginning of the season.
Now that the opportunity is almost here, "Everyone has been energetic in practice."
Energy doesn't come with a loss of perspective. As senior forward Race Thompson says, "We've got to protect home court. That's really all it is. We can beat anybody when we play well. Just protect home court and try to get a W."
There once was a time Phinisee seemed destined to become a Boilermaker.
He was a high school superstar at McCutcheon just outside of Lafayette and a major Boiler recruiting target.
Instead, he became a Hoosier, the first time Indiana had landed a scholarship player from Lafayette since 1948, when Indiana Mr. Basketball Bob Masters and Lafayette Jeff teammate Charlie Vaughn chose the Cream 'n Crimson.
Phinisee has seen the rivalry from both sides.
"Being from Lafayette, you see the bad blood," he says. "All the guys from Indiana know how big this game is."
As for Woodson, he says "It's always been a battle. They've had their way of late, but hopefully we can make that change.
"We've got to commit ourselves for 40 minutes. It's not something that will be hand-delivered to us. You've got to go get it."
Getting it includes not making the game bigger than it is.
"It's just the next game," Woodson says. "The rivalry is what it is. Protecting home is more important. Everything else takes care of itself."
Indiana is 11-0 at home this season with eight straight double-digit victories. Add the expected raucous crowd and if ever there was an opportunity to break the streak, this is it.
"We play well at home," Woodson says. "It's in front of our fans. We've just got to commit for 40 minutes."
Woodson, a former Hoosier All-America, has experienced the highs and lows of this rivalry as a player, but never as a coach.
The low came in his final game, when IU lost to Purdue in the 1980 NCAA tourney Sweet Sixteen. Woodson, in a remarkable comeback from back surgery, got the Hoosiers a Big Ten title, but couldn't get them to the Final Four in Indianapolis. He also lost a chance to pass Don Schlundt as Indiana's career scoring leader.
"They were the better team that night," Woodson says. "I didn't have much left in the tank as I thought coming back from back surgery.
"To go out that way was tough, because it's Purdue. But it was a hell of a run for me.
"We've moved on, and now I'm here back coaching, so it's all great."
Purdue is 15-2 and 2-1 in true road games, including Monday's victory at Big Ten-leader Illinois.
The Boilers have one of the nation's best offenses. They have scored 90 or more points nine times, more than any other team in the country. Much of that comes from their ability to get to the free throw line. They have outscored opponents by 124 points from the line. That, too, leads the nation.
Purdue's imposing size starts with 7-4, 295-pound Zach Edey, who has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games. In that stretch, he has 93 points and 38 rebounds in 93 minutes. He averages 15.6 points and 7.5 rebounds in just 17.8 minutes. He shoots 70.7 percent from the field.
Then there's 6-10 Trevion Williams, who has only started four times, but who thrives in crunch time. He averages 13.4 points and 8.5 rebounds in 20.7 minutes. He leads the Boilers with 16 steals.
Guard Jaden Ivey averages a team-leading 16.4 points, along with 5.2 rebounds. He shoots 43 percent from three-point range.
Guard Sasha Stefanovic averages 11.8 points. He leads Purdue with 65 assists and 45 three-pointers.
"They're a hell of a team," Woodson says. "Their front court is good, and they've got guys who can make the long ball. They pose a double threat. They've got inside and out, and we've got to defend it.
"They've got the total package. (Coach Matt) Painter has done a hell of a job in terms of implementing his system. It should be a hell of a game."
IU All-America forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is recovering from a hard fall suffered late in Monday's Nebraska victory. Woodson says Jackson-Davis didn't do much in Tuesday's practice, but "he'll be ready to play."
Purdue's imposing front court will likely mean more playing time for 7-foot center Michael Durr.
"He's going to have to play some minutes because (Purdue) has that double threat in Williams and the big fella (Edey)," Woodson says. "We've got to keep bodies on them. He'll probably play a bit more than he has in the past."
This could be a huge opportunity for Phinisee, who continues to search for consistency. He's only scored a total of two points in the last two games after getting 13 in a win over Minnesota.
Woodson has this message for him:
"I have your back."
"He's had a tough go of it in the past," Woodson says. "I'm trying to get him to forget the past. You're playing for Coach Woodson now, and Coach Woodson loves you. I'm in your corner.
"I'm saying it's okay to do your thing, because I see something in him that maybe he doesn't see in himself. I think he can help us in this journey."
If that includes Thursday night, all the better. Given the expected sell-out crowd, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall could be at its most intimidating. That wasn't the case during last season's pandemic-caused crowd limitations.
"It's going to be crazy," Phinisee says, "especially because fans weren't allowed in last year."
Players Mentioned
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballDarian DeVries Press Conference
Tuesday, September 30
Teri Moren Press Conference - 2025 Media Day
Tuesday, September 30
MBB: Darian DeVries Press Conference (9/30/25)
Tuesday, September 30
FB: Fernando Mendoza & Elijah Sarratt - at Iowa Postgame Press Conference (09/27/25)
Sunday, September 28