I know the time (at least) was already posted, but thought it would be handy to put all the pregame info in this thread/title:

Cincinnati vs. Purdue (Verne Lundquist, Jim Spanarkel, Allie LaForce), 7:10 PM, CBS

I will take the broadcast crew. Nice to be on main CBS, also. I can watch in HD that way.

The "Oh great , It figures" stat of the day....

Purdue has won its first game in NCAA Tournament 14 straight times, the longest-current active winning streak in the country.

(03-16-2015 10:34 AM)Bearcat2012 Wrote:  The "Oh great , It figures" stat of the day....

Purdue has won its first game in NCAA Tournament 14 straight times, the longest-current active winning streak in the country.

That Streaks got to end sometime. Go Bearcats!

link with Hammonds video interview:

Quote:March 16, 2015 3:50 PM
Hammons, Octeus nearly ended up at Cincinnati
Kyle Rowland | The Journal Gazette

WEST LAFAYETTE – No A.J. Hammons. No Jon Octeus.

If those two weren’t on Purdue’s roster, the team would have a vastly different outlook. The possible destination for the 7-footer and point guard? Cincinnati.

That’s right. Purdue’s first-round NCAA tournament opponent nearly received commitments from Hammons and Octeus. Hammons picked the Boilermakers over the Bearcats in high school, while Octeus spurned Cincinnati after leaving Colorado State as a graduate transfer.

“It was kind of a shocker for me, personally,” Hammons said. “I saw 'Cincinnati' and I thought, this would be weird if we played Cincinnati, the team I was recruited by. Then it said 'Purdue' and I was like, ahh. It’s going to be weird seeing the people that recruited me, but it’s going to be a business trip. It’s nothing personal.”

Hammons was a sought-after big man coming out of high school. He transferred from Carmel to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his junior and senior seasons, announcing that he’d attend Purdue over Cincinnati and Minnesota in October 2011.

“They’re a great school, great program, great staff, great group of guys,” Hammons said. “It was a great visit.”

Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin is one reason why Hammons was high on the Bearcats. They developed a close relationship, according to Hammons, who wished Cronin well on Sunday. Cronin took a leave of absence in December after suffering a non-life-threatening brain aneurysm.

“He’s a great guy, a funny guy,” Hammons said. “I related well to him. I hope he gets well. We had a strong bond.”

When Octeus decided to leave Colorado State in summer 2014, Cincinnati quickly moved onto his radar. The Bearcats were among his final three schools, joining UCLA and Missouri.

“I got to know some of the players and coaches,” Octeus said of his visit to UC. “I actually have somewhat of a relationship with some of the coaches on their staff.”

He ultimately picked UCLA but was denied entry into its graduate school. In came Purdue for a one-year rental.

Thus, Hammons and Octeus ended up at Purdue and not southwest Ohio.

krowland@jg.net

Hawkeye, good find We all generally like to rip players who spurn UC from time to time ("jilted lover's syndrome"), but we need to remember that the decisions on these kids' part are not always easy.