As I Purdue fan I don't think you guys are as far off as what it may seem as of now. Carver Hawkeye is going to be tough for anyone to win at, and Illinois was coming off of a difficult loss. You are still 4-3 in the conference, and I think you will win this evening which will make you 5-3. 10 or 11 conference wins is a real possibility, that might be enough to get in the big dance with these larger conferences. I do think you miss Malik, but I would think he will be back soon.