OK, so maybe Wednesday was a snow day, with Purdue coaches and players stranded in Madison, Wis., an extra day after the game last week.

But, technically, coach Matt Painter was giving his team the day off. And he did it again last Saturday, allowing the Boilermakers some rest and opportunity to get re-focused heading into their final Big Ten stretch.

Guard Lewis Jackson said he thinks the bye came at a good time and that the team is ready to finish strong.

That final push for a conference title -- a tough task considering Ohio State's dominance -- starts tonight against rival Indiana.

"We need to be perfect, but we also have a lot of older guys on this team and we know we need to take it one game at a time," Jackson said. "The Big Ten is so tough, you know you're going to get help from at least one or two teams in the Big Ten. So you just have to take care of your business and hopefully somebody else can help you out."

• Keep an eye on E'Twaun Moore. Moore apparently hurt his left hand against Wisconsin. He told reporters before Sunday's practice it was a bruise. Painter said on Monday that Moore was a full participant since the game.