In the first game against Michigan Purdue dared the Wolverines to shoot the ball from 3-point range, and the Wolverines responded by shooting 56 percent.
Purdue wasn't quite as aggressive as it normally is, but a third of Michigan's shots still came from beyond the arc. The problem for the Wolverines is they didn't make enough to win, (80-72) dropping the Big Ten title game to Purdue in just the third loss of the season.
To be fair, there was more than one issue. Michigan basketball did shoot a high-percentage on 2-point-attempts, just like in the previous meeting, and just didn't play very well on defense, after giving up 16 3-pointers to Wisconsin on Saturday.
Braden Smith had his way with the Wolverines, exposing another potential weakness. However, the loss also exposed a red flag for Michigan basketball, which has revealed itself in two other losses.
One of Michigan's red flags shows up in Big Ten title game loss
In all three losses this season for the Wolverines, there has been one common denominator: Poor 3-point shooting. Michigan made only 32 percent of its 3-point attempts in the first loss against Wiscosnin.
The Wolverines also made just 26 percent when they lost to Duke in Washington, D.C. That was a deciding factor in the game. It was on Sunday, too. Purdue's defensive philosophy is built around protecting the paint and the rim.
That leaves 3-point shooters open. Michigan had plenty of open shots, but only converted just 29 percent (7-of-24), thanks to a make in the final minute, after the outcome was no longer in doubt.
It was rough, and more than anything, it's what cost the Wolverines the game, that and the defense allowing 80 points. Purdue scored 81 last time, so it wasn't any different, really.
Just this time, the 3-point gamble paid off for Purdue, exposing a weakness once again, just before the NCAA tournament.