Hoosier Fan #1: I was also able to locate some of the new logos that Purdue has
been looking at for their re-brand after this years season…
As you might imagine, this then set off a small chain of subsequent emails...
Mr. Boiler: And even in this horrific year, we STILL won more games than IU
did in 2 years combined
Hoosier Fan #2: Are you serious? You’re really going to take what most
basketball experts would agree was Purdue’s best ever basketball class, with
four years of regular season wins and absolutely nothing to show for it in the
end (like usual for Boiler basketball) and compare that to what most basketball
experts would call the worst 4 year period ever in IU’s basketball
history? To make sure I understand, you want to make sure that
everyone knows your best ever, happened to have a few more wins than a sanction
riddled, roster destroyed IU team? If this is indeed what we are arguing
now, I would like to remind you of a pretty terrible IU team, that had a rookie
head coach (who was awful and never even been a head coach) and still managed
to play in a national title game a few years ago while Purdue cannot even get
close to a Final Four with their best class in history???
Mr. Boiler: You are obviously so boiled up ( pun intended ) that you didn’t
comprehend.
I was saying that this year was our worst year post Keady. And
even in this dismal year, we still won more games than Creen’s first 2 years
combined.
And that “terrible “ iu team of 2002 had 6’11” George Leach,
6’10’’ All American Jared Jeffries and 3 point shooting sensation Tom “ give me
another drink” Coverdale.
Me: From a more objective POV, I wanted to see how the media would weigh in. Among the top teams of all time, Purdue ranks
3rd (in the state of Indiana) or 4th (in the B1G)…
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28116552/ns/sports-college_basketball/?pg=27#spt_bkc_greatest_programs
This next one is quite a bit more favorable for the Boilers, who do
manage to crack the top 10 of all-time.
This is likely because this rating system takes only wins/losses and
scoring margin, and not post-season success.
And this one may be a more accurate profile, as it counts total wins,
number of tourney appearances, Final Fours, and titles. It should be noted that the Boilers fare
worse here than in the one that includes only wins and losses but better than
in the one that seems to account for more glitz and glam.
This next one is somewhat irrelevant in terms of historical success, but
is simply based on the worth of the individual programs:
This last one seems a little more flawed because it appears to be just
some dude with his own ideas:
At the end of the day, there's really no way to prove who's right and who's ignorant. Well, wait, yes there is...those 5 big banners hanging from in Assembly Hall that read "National Champions." Purdue tries really hard though and they do have several B1G titles to numb the pain that comes with inferiority. I sometimes have to catch myself when I get onto this topic and when Purdue fans say that IU really isn't that good because they lost to "mid-major" Butler earlier this year. And, unlike your garden-variety internet message board troll, those fans honestly believe what they're saying. Don't get me wrong, Purdue is a great program in the grand scheme of things; out of however many hundreds of D1 programs in existence, they're likely among the top 25. But they would do well to know their role and their place in the pecking order and to just shut up about it until they actually win a title. Regular season wins are great and should be celebrated, conference titles even more so. But only someone who has never captured the ultimate prize will rest their laurels on those smaller accomplishments. This isn't Bitty Ball, we're not handing out trophies for participation. So, Purdue: forget about your cousin, go get a real prom date, and then come back to the conversation.
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