Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, it's the first of two regional semi-final games in Philadelphia for the 2022 NCAA Tournament's East Region with the #15-seed Saint Peter's Peacocks taking on the #3-seed Purdue Boilermakers. This is the first of the four regional games - tip-off at approximately 7:09 pm (Eastern) with television coverage on CBS. Saint Peter's has won nine straight and has garnered a lot of media attention in the tournament due to its upset of the #2-seed Kentucky and following that up with knocking off the #7-seed Murray State. They'll likely have a little bit of the crowd behind them as the underdog. Purdue would be wise to try and neutralize some of that with a good start and avoiding an early deficit.
Saint Peter's has won nine straight, and although the Peacocks don't have good offensive numbers over the course of the season, ranked No. 266 in effective field goal percentage and No. 310 in turnover rate, they have been shooting well from the 3-point arc and have solid offensive rebounding numbers, which has allowed them to salvage some of their possessions. The Peacocks are facing a Purdue defense that is No. 87 in adjusted efficiency. Guard Daryl Banks III leads Saint Peter’s with 11.4 points per game, while forward KC Ndefo is adding 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. Guard Doug Edert is only averaging 9.7 points per game, but he scored 20 points in the MAAC title game and added 20 points against Kentucky.
Purdue comes into this game ranked second in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings and has been at or near the top all season. The Boilers are also outstanding on the offensive glass, ranking No. 13 in offensive rebounding percentage. But Purdue is facing a Saint Peter’s defense that is No. 28 in adjusted efficiency. KC Ndefo is one of the nation’s most dangerous, well rounded defenders in the country. He’s only 6’7” but he has a top 10 block rate on the season. He moves all over the floor, able to hound horizontally and rise vertically to challenge shots. He was a physical force against Kentucky and continued it against that Murray State, where Ndefo had 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 6 blocks. Expect a tough battle from Saint Peters on both ends of the floor, as the Peacocks have been bolstered from the clutch shooting of junior Doug Edert. He had 20 points against Kentucky, most of them coming late when the game seemed to going back to Kentucky. He’s scored 33 points in two tournament games while only taking 13 shots.
Saint Peter's does play at a pace comfortable for Purdue, and they'll have some difficulty matching up/defending Jaden Ivey. Purdue will need the same type of intensity and effectiveness on the defensive end as it had in the second round game with Texas. Look for the Boilers to continue to try and establish a post presence on offense with Zach Edey and Trevion Williams and work inside/outside. They have also been able to get to the FT line a lot the first two games. What could really turn this game is how well Purdue limits the turnovers, as possessions will be a premium in this game - give away some to turnovers and missed FT's or allow Saint Peters to get second chances, and this could definitely be a battle to the end. If the Boilers get the same level of play/production from Jaden Ivey and Eric Hunter, Jr., they will be tough to beat, especially if Sasha Stefanovic can get back on track, as he has struggled a little during the latter stages of the season.
Should be a very good entertaining contest tonight. Can the Boilers continue the good play and take one more large step toward their ultimate goal? We shall see starting in a couple of hours
Boiler up, my friends.
Saint Peter's has won nine straight, and although the Peacocks don't have good offensive numbers over the course of the season, ranked No. 266 in effective field goal percentage and No. 310 in turnover rate, they have been shooting well from the 3-point arc and have solid offensive rebounding numbers, which has allowed them to salvage some of their possessions. The Peacocks are facing a Purdue defense that is No. 87 in adjusted efficiency. Guard Daryl Banks III leads Saint Peter’s with 11.4 points per game, while forward KC Ndefo is adding 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. Guard Doug Edert is only averaging 9.7 points per game, but he scored 20 points in the MAAC title game and added 20 points against Kentucky.
Purdue comes into this game ranked second in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings and has been at or near the top all season. The Boilers are also outstanding on the offensive glass, ranking No. 13 in offensive rebounding percentage. But Purdue is facing a Saint Peter’s defense that is No. 28 in adjusted efficiency. KC Ndefo is one of the nation’s most dangerous, well rounded defenders in the country. He’s only 6’7” but he has a top 10 block rate on the season. He moves all over the floor, able to hound horizontally and rise vertically to challenge shots. He was a physical force against Kentucky and continued it against that Murray State, where Ndefo had 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 6 blocks. Expect a tough battle from Saint Peters on both ends of the floor, as the Peacocks have been bolstered from the clutch shooting of junior Doug Edert. He had 20 points against Kentucky, most of them coming late when the game seemed to going back to Kentucky. He’s scored 33 points in two tournament games while only taking 13 shots.
Saint Peter's does play at a pace comfortable for Purdue, and they'll have some difficulty matching up/defending Jaden Ivey. Purdue will need the same type of intensity and effectiveness on the defensive end as it had in the second round game with Texas. Look for the Boilers to continue to try and establish a post presence on offense with Zach Edey and Trevion Williams and work inside/outside. They have also been able to get to the FT line a lot the first two games. What could really turn this game is how well Purdue limits the turnovers, as possessions will be a premium in this game - give away some to turnovers and missed FT's or allow Saint Peters to get second chances, and this could definitely be a battle to the end. If the Boilers get the same level of play/production from Jaden Ivey and Eric Hunter, Jr., they will be tough to beat, especially if Sasha Stefanovic can get back on track, as he has struggled a little during the latter stages of the season.
Should be a very good entertaining contest tonight. Can the Boilers continue the good play and take one more large step toward their ultimate goal? We shall see starting in a couple of hours
Boiler up, my friends.
