Wow ... crazy run by Indiana to start the 2H. Halftime was Purdue up 37-26. Score is now Indiana up 53-40 ... a 27-3 run to start the 2H!
Though Indiana losing would make it a little easier to imagine RU catching Indiana in the Big 10 standings, Indiana beating Purdue ALSO could be helpful. If Purdue loses, it increases the chance UCLA finishes ahead of Purdue - which IS helpful to RU in RU's quest to make the Big 10 tourney. How so? Because one of the tiebreakers in a group tie is a win over a team higher in the standings: RU lost to Purdue and beat UCLA, so UCLA finishing ahead of Purdue helps RU in potential tiebreaking scenarios.
Though Indiana losing would make it a little easier to imagine RU catching Indiana in the Big 10 standings, Indiana beating Purdue ALSO could be helpful. If Purdue loses, it increases the chance UCLA finishes ahead of Purdue - which IS helpful to RU in RU's quest to make the Big 10 tourney. How so? Because one of the tiebreakers in a group tie is a win over a team higher in the standings: RU lost to Purdue and beat UCLA, so UCLA finishing ahead of Purdue helps RU in potential tiebreaking scenarios.