Purdue was a favorite to cut down the nets in San Antonio, despite being a 2-seed. The Boilermakers had that classic March combination of balanced offense, good defense, experienced guards, and plenty of size inside. Unfortunately, senior center Isaac Haas fractured his right elbow at some point during today’s win over Cal State Fullerton, and he’ll miss the remainder of the tournament.
ROSTER NOTE: #Purdue center Isaac Haas will miss the remainder of #MarchMadness with a fractured right elbow. pic.twitter.com/1JciT52PGA
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) March 16, 2018
That’s such a killer blow for Purdue, a program that had spent years waiting for another season like this; cruelly, the last time they were legitimate national championship contenders, Robbie Hummel blew out his knee. Haas was injured in a fall; when you’re as big as he is, any fall is dangerous.
Purdue’s entire offensive system revolved around Haas, and their defense was designed to funnel opposing drivers to him as well. This is just brutal news. Haas now moves on to a professional career, assuming no lingering effects from this injury, while Purdue will play the winner of Butler and Arkansas on Sunday, and Matt Painter has his work cut out for him.
Damn.
