Murph’s March to Madness: Purdue’s Liam Murphy finally cleared for contact. How is he performing?

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA — Liam Murphy heard about the ‘machine’ and, admittedly, it made him a little apprehensive.

The former Jaques Award winner, who had left shoulder labrum anthroscopy surgery last March, was on the precipice of being cleared for contact with Purdue University’s men’s basketball team at the end of August. Murphy took part in some hoops activity with the Boilermakers over the summer, but contact was a no-no while his shoulder still strengthened.

After a short break back home, he returned to school for the beginning of classes — as well as an abundance of additional basketball activity — at the end of last month. But before he could get clearance for contact from a team doctor, he first had to pass an examination on a machine that tests his max strength and endurance.