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Purdue hopes to take one step closer to Big Ten title

Mar 4, 2008 - 11:19 AM No. 15 Purdue (23-6) at Ohio St (17-12) 7:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) - With two road games remaining, No. 15 Purdue looks to continue its path toward the Big Ten Conference title at Ohio State on Tuesday.

Purdue (23-6, 14-2 Big Ten) is tied atop the conference standings with Wisconsin (14-2) but would win the regular-season crown if the two teams are deadlocked due to a sweep of the season series.

The Boilermakers, who have not won the Big Ten since the 1995-96 campaign, are coming off a 68-43 victory over Northwestern on Saturday. Freshman Robbie Hummel led the team with 15 points.

The Buckeyes (17-12, 8-8) are on a four-game losing streak after dropping a 71-57 decision at Minnesota on Saturday.

Freshman Kosta Koufos scored 17 points in the setback and is averaging 14.0 per game - just behind Jamar Butler, who is leading the team at 14.1 points per contest.

Purdue won the first meeting, 71-65, on January 12, but has not won at Ohio State since 1998.