Jackrabbits face Boilermakers in Paradise Jam
St. Thomas, VI (Sports Network) - The South Dakota State Jackrabbits have the unenviable task of the opening the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands tonight against the seventh-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. This game represents the first-ever meeting between the two teams, and both will continue tournament play through the weekend.
South Dakota State is 2-0 for the first time since 2003-04 when the team ran out to a 17-0 start on its way to a school-record 27 wins. The Jackrabbits, who play their basketball out of the Summit League, took out Wyoming on the road in the opener last Friday, 77-61, and followed that with a 89-56 home thrashing of Mayville State on Monday.
Purdue is one of the favorites to win the Big Ten Conference this season, and coach Matt Painter's club had little trouble disposing of Cal State Northridge in its season opener, wiping the Matadors off the map in an 89-64 final at home last Friday. The Boilermakers are making their first appearance in the Paradise Jam, and a win here would give the team its fifth consecutive 2-0 start.
The Jackrabbits boast four double-digit scorers on the season, led by the tandem of Garrett Callahan and Kai Williams, both of whom average 12.5 ppg. Anthony Cordova adds 11.0 ppg and is the team's leading rebounder with 6.5 rpg, while Clint Sargent tacks on 10.0 ppg. Cordova was the high man for SDSU in the recent win over Mayville State, netting 16 points, while Callahan and Chad White hit for 14 points apiece. Sargent poured in 18 points to pace the team in the opener at Wyoming, and Williams contributed 17 points. Both players were on fire from long range against the Cowboys, converting a combined 9-of-13 three-point attempts. Through two game, the Jacks are shooting 50.8 percent from the floor, while limiting the opposition to just 40.7 percent.
Robbie Hummel scored a game-high 17 points and handed out four assists in helping lead Purdue past Cal State Northridge in last week's season opener. JaJuan Johnson and Chris Kramer also hit for double figures in the easy win, netting 15 and 11 points, respectively, and the Boilermakers weren't only effective on offense, but defensively as well -- forcing 25 turnovers. Purdue has forced no fewer than 18 turnovers in any season opener under Painter. Johnson, who averaged 13.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season, has now scored in double figures in six straight games, and he and Hummel form one of the more potent frontcourts in the Big Ten. Guard E'Twaun Moore, who scored nine points in the opener, led PU last year with 13.8 ppg and he is trying to become the first Boilermaker since 1976-78 to lead the team in scoring in three straight seasons.
11/20 11:19:17 ET
