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Michael Osipoff

Michael Osipoff is the Post-Tribune’s beat writer for the Purdue basketball and football teams, as well as the RailCats. He also covers boys and girls …Read More

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Osipoff: Purdue may not be deep, but they’ll have talent

First Sandi Marcius. Then Jacob Lawson. And then Anthony Johnson. After a circuitous season for Purdue in which it underperformed, it already has been an active offseason for the Boilermakers. In the last week — in a span of five days, one player for three …

  • Osipoff: Darrell Hazell pleased with his first spring at Purdue

    Purdue’s first spring season under coach Darrell Hazell is winding down, with the concluding spring game coming up on Saturday, after this past Saturday’s “jersey” scrimmage (with the offense narrowly defeating the defense, on a touchdown pass from Austin Appleby to Sterling Carter on the …Read More

  • OSIPOFF: Picking tourney winner from loaded Big Ten not easy

    With the number of elite teams, and several in the middle of the pack (and even lower) playing well late in the season, a handful (or more) have the wherewithal to win the Big Ten Tournament. The event seems even more wide-open than usual (do …Read More

  • Osipoff: Valpo focused on Horizon League title after heroic win

    VALPARAISO — The season was all but over for Valparaiso, at least in regard to that singular goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament. Then it wasn’t. The Crusaders, with those six seniors, were going to lose to Green Bay in the Horizon League Tournament semifinals. …

    Horizon League: Simply put, it’s Valpo’s tournament to lose

    For the second straight season, the Horizon League Tournament will roll into the Athletics-Recreation Center. Will the home crowd leave happy this time around? It appears the two heavyweights are on a collision course for another clash. But can another team, or teams, crash the …

    Osipoff: Most important work still ahead for VU

    VALPARAISO — The celebration was enthusiastic, yet still relatively subdued. Because even having clinched the right to host the Horizon League Tournament for the second straight season, by virtue of yet another winning senior night, even amid all the joy in Valparaiso, the smiles and …

    Osipoff: Valparaiso in a prime spot in Horizon League

    VALPARAISO — Deep down, in their heart of hearts, they know only two games truly matter this season. They would never admit such a thing, of course. But they also know there’s a process to reach those two games, a process they hope will result …

    Osipoff: Hope ends with disappointment

    Danny Hope’s effort, dedication, commitment, passion, and feelings for Purdue were beyond reproach. And there’s no questioning Boilermakers players’ strong feelings for him. But the team’s uneven, inconsistent results, as well as continued declining attendance at Ross-Ade Stadium (beginning before Hope’s arrival), justified his dismissal. …

    Osipoff: Merrillville offense shows what it can do on way to regional title

    MERRILLVILLE — Fort Wayne Carroll’s statistician called it “big boy football.” Yep, the Chargers likely hadn’t seen anything on their schedule along the lines of Merrillville, especially with the way the Pirates were humming along in Friday night’s Class 5A regional. From the outset, Merrillville …

    Osipoff: Only one goal for Valparaiso men

    NCAA Tournament or bust. That’s Valparaiso’s 2012-13 season stripped down to its essence. That’s the brass-tacks situation. The Crusaders tasted the sweetness of a regular-season Horizon League championship in 2011-12, two games clear of the field with a 14-4 record. They then tasted the bitterness …

  • Osipoff: Boilers in a state of flux after blowout losses

    From theoretical Leaders Division and Big Ten title contender to … what the heck happened? After back-to-back beatdowns at home against Michigan and Wisconsin by a combined scored of 82-27, Purdue’s season, and perhaps the path of the program beyond, has reached a critical mass. …Read More

  • Osipoff: Boilers show they can compete in loss to ND

    SOUTH BEND — Look, there’s really no such thing as a moral victory at this level of college football. But after we learned virtually nothing about Purdue in a walkover against FCS Eastern Kentucky in its season opener, we at least learned the Boilermakers can …Read More

  • Osipoff: Family of John Willems getting outpouring of support

    The outpouring of support provides ample insight into the type of person John Willems had been, his impact on the community. Town officials in Cedar Lake. The police and fire departments. The Hanover Central athletics department, including AD Jeff Brooks. Wrestlers, former wrestlers and their …Read More

  • Osipoff: RailCats running out of time to save season

    The American Association season hasn’t yet reached its halfway point, but the RailCats’ season is slipping away from them in a hurry. Going into Monday night’s game at Sioux Falls, they had a season-worst five-game losing skid, and had lost eight of their last nine, …

    Osipoff: Purdue just hasn’t met expectations

    There’s simply no way to spin this one for Purdue. Notre Dame? In defeat, it was encouraging to have competed so valiantly — on the road, no less — against a team that all of a sudden could be in the national title picture, a …

  • Twolves pick Hummel 58th in NBA Draft as friends, family celebrate

    WEST LAFAYETTE — In the time leading up to the start of the NBA Draft on Thursday night, Robbie Hummel — who near the very end would become the newest member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, at No. 58 overall — chatted calmly with family members and friends, smiling …Read More

  • Osipoff: E’Twaun Moore giving back to the region

    Having reached the NBA, the pinnacle of his profession, E’Twaun Moore felt compelled to contribute in another way to the region that has supported him over the years. It was in his mind, heart and soul. So he has established the E’Twaun Moore Basketball Camp, …Read More