Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, it's the #17-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (13-4; 5-1) visiting the Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle to take on the home-standing Washington Huskies (10-7; 1-5). Tip is scheduled for approximately 9:30 pm (Eastern time) with television coverage on the Big Ten Network. This is the only regularly scheduled game between the two teams this season.
Projected Starting Line-ups:
Purdue - Trey Kaufman-Renn, Caleb Furst, CJ Cox, Fletcher Loyer, and Braden Smith
Washington - Great Osobor, Wilhelm Breidenbach, Tyler Harris, Zoom Diallo, and Tyree Ihenacho
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Washington is in the midst of a challenging stretch of games in its first season in the conference and is currently on a three-game losing streak. The Huskies' recent road trip proved particularly difficult, suffering a 32-point loss to Michigan State followed by a 91-75 defeat at the hands of Michigan. Purdue has won five straight and is coming off a convincing takedown of Nebraska on Sunday, 104-68.
The Huskies' offense has struggled to find consistency, averaging 73.2 points per game (235th) while shooting 43.9% (234th) from the field. Their three-point FG shooting has been a particular weakness, connecting on just 32.9% (257th) of their attempts from beyond the arc.
Washington is led by transfer
Great Osobor, in scoring (14.3 ppg), rebounding (8.6 rpg), assists (3.4) and (2.2) steals per game. Osobor started his career at Montana State and spent last season at Utah State with current Washington coach Danny Sprinkle. Osobor had 14 points and 6 rebounds in Utah State's 2nd round NCAA Tournament game against Purdue but was generally neutralized in the Boilers' 106-67 victory. The other two players Purdue will likely focus more attention on will be Zoom Diallo, along with DJ Davis off the bench, if available. They have been inconsistent at times but are capable of scoring with the right opportunities, although Davis injured his ankle last week.
Washington is currently 93rd in the KenPom ratings (139th offensively and 73rd defensively). The Huskies have an adjusted tempo rating at 121st. Purdue is currently 12th overall in the KenPom ratings (6th offensively and 44th defensively). Adjusted tempo rating is 298th.
One aspect of Washington's team game has been the Huskies' defending of the 3-point line, ranking in the top-5 in the lowest number of 3-pt FG’s allowed this season and 20th in opponent 3-pt FG%. Given the home environment and unfamiliar shooting background for Purdue, Washington could try to force or bait more attempts from long-range. If the Boilers' long-range shots aren't falling, like what happened in their last road game at Rutgers, the Huskies' chances improve a lot. Washington will still have to shore up the paint, though, for that strategy to really work.
A good part of this game hinges on Purdue's ability to execute well on the road on both ends of the floor. Osobor will likely score some, but will he get enough help? Will Purdue's defensive resurgence continue? It's a long road trip on a short week, having played Sunday - how will that factor in. If Purdue continues to take care of the ball like the last few games and has even a decent shooting night, the Boilers' chances are pretty good to continue its win streak. However, Washington has had its moments playing at home - upset Maryland and gave Illinois all it wanted before dropping a close one. Nothing is guaranteed in conference play, especially on the road - another challenge for Purdue's newcomers.
Can the Boilers keep things rolling in the Northwest with a game at Oregon looming on Saturday?
We shall see, coming up in a little more than an hour or so.
Boiler up, my friends.