Purdue Basketball: Where Did the Defense Go?

John Gutierrez-USA TODAY SportsPurdue basketball has an identity problem.

They look like a team that is struggling with the complex and often spiraling difficulty of figuring out who they are, on the fly, while being rained down upon by 3 after 3.

For the longest time, Purdue has been known for tough, man to man defense. They defend you, for the full 94 feet of the court. They get into you. Chris Kramer’s go to Purdue. Rapheal Davis’ go to Purdue. A. J. Hammons go to Purdue.

They usually lack the athleticism you’d think of as a great defensive team, but make up for it with having five guys on the floor with the same mindset: we will not make this easy. This cohesion of heart is what made…