Post-game analysis: The 3-2-1 and Wrap Video

Some quick analysis from No. 14 Purdue's 86-51 win over Ohio State, securing an unbeaten home season for just the third time in school history and putting the Boilermakers alone atop the Big Ten with just two games to play.

Purdue's standing on the doorstep of a Big Ten title, and obviously outgoing seniors Ryan Cline and Grady Eifert have been central to that success this season.

That was an undercurrent to Saturday evening's proceedings that may not have been expected a few weeks ago. Now, Cline and Eifert leave with a legacy, this season being theirs.

Obviously a lot has gone into Purdue's success this season, but none of it's possible without either player. They've been too important.

Cline, following his only season as a front-line bearer of responsibility, is going to get at least one All-Big Ten vote, we can say for certain.

And, Eifert has won games for Purdue.

That's a legacy, the winning stability both provided a program that could have — probably should have — taken a step backward after losing a wildly productive, richly experienced and deep senior class, one of the best in school history.

That's what Cline and Eifert should be remembered for, and certainly were recognized for following the Ohio State game.

Purdue, improbably, is in the driver's seat for its 24th Big Ten title in large part because of its two seniors.

Amidst freshman Trevion Williams' recent struggles, and as a reward of sorts for his effort and "professionalism" after falling out of Purdue's rotation, per Matt Painter, Evan Boudreaux carried 12-and-a-half minutes Saturday against Ohio State and was the first center off the bench.

Williams, the freshman who transformed Purdue mid-season with the presence he provided on the offensive end and boards, has been struggling lately, appearing a bit worn, perhaps, since falling ill after the Maryland trip. The difference defensively for Purdue with Matt Haarms vs. Williams on the floor has been distinct, but that's also largely a credit to Haarms' outstanding play of late.

It goes to show you how fluid the college game is and serves as a reminder that when a player isn't playing in this game or that game, that doesn't mean they can't work their way out of it.

Now, as this Tilt-A-Whirl of a depth chart at center keeps spinning, it's Williams' turn again to work his way out of it, it would appear, and one would think important lessons can come from it for a young player who's probably still crafting the right habits, but also was probably bound to plateau at some point anyway. Most freshmen do.

Whether it's the product of new-found eagerness to get fouled, matchups or what, Nojel Eastern is branching out lately, much more aggressive off the dribble when looking to score.

Not that Purdue necessarily needs scoring from him, but what it does want is paint access, scoring sources that don't require the Boilermakers to live and die by the three, and the more bases opposing defenses have to cover inevitably stretch them that much thinner.

"He's doing a good job recognizing it, getting past the other guy's shoulder, getting an angle and getting to the rim and not settling for 12-foot floaters, getting by people," Painter said. "When you turn the corner and you're 6-7, 220, and that guy is 6-1, 180, you have an advantage. ... It's just him being aggressive and him doing a good job recognizing things."

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