Basketball Preview: Purdue vs. Siena (Sunday, Noon, BTN)

It's our 200th post here at GoBoilers.net!  While we plan someday to have a "Best Of" post that takes us back to the times we made you laugh and cry during the last year and a half (which somehow overlaps one of the worst time periods in Purdue sports history - coincidence?), we've got an early game today to preview.  We want to say thanks for all our loyal (and casual) readers - don't think you've gone unnoticed!  I check the stats page on this site an average of 22 times a day, and I must say that we've had more daily readers in the past month than we've ever had before.  I know we're not doing anything right, so we really appreciate the rest of you spreading the word and letting our voices be heard.  Thank you thank you thank you!  We've mentioned dozens of times how we have literally made a net earnings of 4 beers on this site over a year and a half, so we truly are doing this out of a love for Purdue (even if there's been more downer attitudes than normal over the past few months) and the rush that people actually read what we have to say - even if you think we're complete idiots.  Here's to another 200 posts, and the hope that they include recaps for some postseason games that actually matter! BOILER UP!

Yep, I was expecting the Saints to have something with a halo too.

 
Quick, give me the quick details on why Purdue will beat these guys:
This is the first matchup with Siena since the first round of the NCAA tournament back in 2010.  Purdue fans may remember that game as the one where every single analyst picked the 13th-seeded Saints to beat the 4th-seeded Boilermakers.  Everyone also knows that Purdue never loses a first round game in the Tourney, so of course Purdue pulled it out.  Luckily for Purdue (and unluckily for their strength of schedule), this is not the same Siena team that became an upset special for several years.  Still, this will be Purdue's toughest test of the year so far, as Siena has lost close games to Albany, Vermont, and La Salle (don't be fooled - these are all very good low to mid major teams) and are coming off close wins over St. Bonaventure and Cornell.  They have experience in close games, so the Boilers need to make sure they take care of business early.  The key will be AJ Hammons versus Siena center Imoh Silas.  Imoh is coming off a huge game with 17 points and 14 rebounds in 36 minutes against Cornell.  If AJ can neutralize Silas on offense, Purdue should win easily.

Our picks:
Line: Purdue - 17.5

Erik: Purdue 83 - Siena 77

Kirk: Purdue 80 - Siena 65

Boiler Up!

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