21/11/2024

Isaac Haas makes some scoring noise as No. 3 Purdue prevails over Michigan

Jueves 25 de Enero del 2018

Isaac Haas makes some scoring noise as No. 3 Purdue prevails over Michigan

The 7-foot-2 senior center scored 24 points as the Boilermakers set a program record for consecutive wins with a 92-88 Big Ten victory.

The 7-foot-2 senior center scored 24 points as the Boilermakers set a program record for consecutive wins with a 92-88 Big Ten victory.

WEST LAFAYETTE — Not that Isaac Haas didn't contribute.

The mere presence of Purdue's 7-foot-2 senior center affects games.

But Haas was quiet offensively in the No. 3 Boilermakers' previous two games.

That was not the case Thursday night against No. 25 Michigan at Mackey Arena.

Haas had 24 points as Purdue posted a 92-88 Big Ten win against the Wolverines.

"They left me one-on-one," Haas said. "I knew going into the game Michigan wasn't going to try to double that much because we have too good shooters. I figured they would take their chances one-on-one in the paint.

"I capitalized a lot. It could've been a little better. But it worked out, and I was happy about it."

Haas shot 10-for-14 and had six rebounds, a career-high three assists and three blocked shots in 20 minutes as the Boilermakers (20-2, 9-0) tied the program record with their 16th straight win

He had a combined five points and shot 1-for-6 against Wisconsin and at Iowa. But he had six points in the first 3:15 against the Wolverines (17-6, 6-4), and barely relented.

Senior forward Vincent Edwards, who finished with a career-high 30 points, liked what he saw from Haas, surrounded by Purdue's perimeter players.

"It just opens everything up, having shooters," Edwards said. "Everybody can shoot the ball, handle the ball, have some type of skill set — everyone's a little different from the other.

"When Isaac gets the ball down low and he's going with his back to the basket and being strong with the ball, it's a tough guard. He just has to stay big and we have to keep sharing the ball."

Michigan coach John Beilein decided the Wolverines weren't going to double-team Haas. He cited Purdue's five shooters, and if Haas made 20 2-pointers, it would be better than the Boilermakers making an array of 3-pointers.

Haas had 17 points and six rebounds in Purdue's 70-69 win Jan. 9 at Michigan.

"You guys try to guard him — he's impossible," Beilein said of Haas. "And he's a tough matchup for us. You probably need a twin brother."

The game included five ties and 24 lead changes. It featured a blistering second half in which the skill of both teams was on display, with each making shot after shot.

"This is what you come to a Big Ten school to play basketball for — that environment, that atmosphere," Edwards said. "That second half was a dream to play basketball in. We all soaked it in. It was a fun game to play."

The Boilermakers used a 9-0 run to turn a 68-65 deficit into a 74-68 lead, with Edwards scoring the first seven points. He finished shooting 9-for-11 from the field, including 3-for-3 from 3-point range. He also went 9-for-10 from the foul line, adding five rebounds and five assists in 39 minutes

Haas had the final two points of the run before Carsen Edwards' two free throws off a steal gave the Boilermakers a 79-70 advantage with 5:38 left. With the score stuck at 79-75 for more than two minutes, Haas dunked with 1:59 left.

Michigan junior Moritz Wagner guarded Haas for most of the game.

"He's a very good player," Wagner said of Haas. "He's very big and physical, but he also has a lot of moves down there."

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman led the Wolverines with 26 points.

Carsen Edwards added 13 for the Boilermakers, including 11 in the final 5:13 of the first half.

"We have a huge target on our backs, but I believe we're a really good team — I believe we're the best team in the nation," Haas said. "I just want to show everybody."

[email protected]

Twitter @MichaelOsipoff

Ver noticia en Trending

Temas Relacionados: