Not the “Night Fury” from How to Train your Dragon, more like the Purdue Boilermakers last night against Fairleigh Dickinson (FDU) losing by 5, but never quite in control for even 5 minutes in the game.

Such teams that promise a lot and under-deliver are a big disappointment. Especially Purdue basketball in recent years has always been substandard. This year, Coach Matt Painter’s team reached a new high and then a fresh new low within half a week’s time!

You come in as the number one seed, having won a tight game in the Big Ten Championship against Penn State, 67-65. They squandered a big lead, giving Penn State a chance to beat them at the buzzer in that game. You would think they are far less complacent and want to come in roasting the #16 seed, an unranked team that did not even win in its league. You want to make a statement to the other teams by roaring away to a big lead and making short work out of an underdog. But nope, not the Boilermakers, the nicest guys in town from the Midwest. Not only did they let FDU get to them, but they never had a chance, being the bigger team, thanks in part to a 7.5 footer, but also due to the larger-than-life expectations from them this year as a top seed.

Painter has failed to close the business after coming so close so many times. Always delivering hope and promise, but no results. No matter how good you are, closing the win is a critical element of a competitive sport. Unfortunately, all that will be remembered is Painter’s legacy of a HUGE loss, one of the BIGGEST disappointments, most UNLIKELY upset. Not his process, his grinding improvements, his getting to #1 seed or any of those significant accomplishments.

In Hindi the saying goes “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” loosely translated as “he who wins rules”. In this case, we had a top seed, who could have won it all and instead go out crashing in the first elimination round. Reminds me of South African Cricket team in the 90s, who were awesome in talent but branded “chokers”. Sport is harsh to losers, Purdue should make some big changes to personnel, to their attitude and approach if they want their passionate fanbase cheering but feeling like losers for doing so.

Hail Hail to OLD Purdue.

Not the “Night Fury” from How to Train your Dragon, more like the Purdue Boilermakers last night against Fairleigh Dickinson (FDU) losing by 5, but never quite in control for even 5 minutes in the game.

Such teams that promise a lot and under-deliver are a big disappointment. Especially Purdue basketball in recent years has always been substandard. This year, Coach Matt Painter’s team reached a new high and then a fresh new low within half a week’s time!

You come in as the number one seed, having won a tight game in the Big Ten Championship against Penn State, 67-65. They squandered a big lead, giving Penn State a chance to beat them at the buzzer in that game. You would think they are far less complacent and want to come in roasting the #16 seed, an unranked team that did not even win in its league. You want to make a statement to the other teams by roaring away to a big lead and making short work out of an underdog. But nope, not the Boilermakers, the nicest guys in town from the Midwest. Not only did they let FDU get to them, but they never had a chance, being the bigger team, thanks in part to a 7.5 footer, but also due to the larger-than-life expectations from them this year as a top seed.

Painter has failed to close the business after coming so close so many times. Always delivering hope and promise, but no results. No matter how good you are, closing the win is a critical element of a competitive sport. Unfortunately, all that will be remembered is Painter’s legacy of a HUGE loss, one of the BIGGEST disappointments, most UNLIKELY upset. Not his process, his grinding improvements, his getting to #1 seed or any of those significant accomplishments.

In Hindi the saying goes “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” loosely translated as “he who wins rules”. In this case, we had a top seed, who could have won it all and instead go out crashing in the first elimination round. Reminds me of South African Cricket team in the 90s, who were awesome in talent but branded “chokers”. Sport is harsh to losers, Purdue should make some big changes to personnel, to their attitude and approach if they want their passionate fanbase cheering but feeling like losers for doing so.

Hail Hail to OLD Purdue.