Today it's the Davidson Wildcats (7-3) facing off against the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (10-0) in the Indy Classic from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 6:15 pm (Eastern time) with television coverage on the Big Ten Network. Davidson is coming off a win over Western Carolina while Purdue defeated Nebraska last weekend.
Projected Starting Line-ups:
Davidson - Sam Mennenga, Reed Bailey, Connor Kochera, Grant Huffman, and Foster Loyer
Purdue - Caleb Furst, Zach Edey, Ethan Morton, Fletcher Loyer, and Braden Smith
Davidson relies heavily on its offense, as the Wildcats are inside the top 80 in effective field goal percentage and turnover rate. They are shooting 53.8% from 2-point range and are knocking down 34.6% of their 3-pointers. Their primary weakness offensively has been their rebounding, as they are No. 321 in offensive rebounding rate. Senior guard Foster Loyer leads the Wildcats with 19.5 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. Junior forward Sam Mennenga is adding 16.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. Davidson doesn't have the size to match Purdue's front-line, and they'll likely try to work the perimeter and also break down the Boilers' defense off the dribble and with ball reversal. Purdue will likely key off Davidson's leader in the back-court, Foster Loyer, who is the older brother of Purdue's freshman guard, Fletcher Loyer. Purdue's defense around the arc will be one of the game's keys.
For Purdue on offense, you'd expect a similar game-plan as previously - the Boilers will likely look to establish Zach Edey in the low post/paint, and if Davidson tries what Nebraska did with multiple double teams, Purdue should get some open looks from outside. They haven't knocked those down as well as they'd like in the early stages of most of the games, but they've been attacking the glass and getting extra opportunities. Mason Gillis is expected to play today, and that should help a little, as he's missed the last three games. If Purdue can limit the turnovers and maintain a consistent focused effort with the type of intensity seen in most of their previous 10 games, Davidson will have a tall task. The Boilers built a good lead last time out but couldn't hold it due to some timely shooting from the opponent....this game could work in a similar way.
Can the Boilers keep things rolling here as the calendar year end nears? We shall see starting in about 40 minutes or so.
Boiler up, my friends.
Projected Starting Line-ups:
Davidson - Sam Mennenga, Reed Bailey, Connor Kochera, Grant Huffman, and Foster Loyer
Purdue - Caleb Furst, Zach Edey, Ethan Morton, Fletcher Loyer, and Braden Smith
Davidson relies heavily on its offense, as the Wildcats are inside the top 80 in effective field goal percentage and turnover rate. They are shooting 53.8% from 2-point range and are knocking down 34.6% of their 3-pointers. Their primary weakness offensively has been their rebounding, as they are No. 321 in offensive rebounding rate. Senior guard Foster Loyer leads the Wildcats with 19.5 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. Junior forward Sam Mennenga is adding 16.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. Davidson doesn't have the size to match Purdue's front-line, and they'll likely try to work the perimeter and also break down the Boilers' defense off the dribble and with ball reversal. Purdue will likely key off Davidson's leader in the back-court, Foster Loyer, who is the older brother of Purdue's freshman guard, Fletcher Loyer. Purdue's defense around the arc will be one of the game's keys.
For Purdue on offense, you'd expect a similar game-plan as previously - the Boilers will likely look to establish Zach Edey in the low post/paint, and if Davidson tries what Nebraska did with multiple double teams, Purdue should get some open looks from outside. They haven't knocked those down as well as they'd like in the early stages of most of the games, but they've been attacking the glass and getting extra opportunities. Mason Gillis is expected to play today, and that should help a little, as he's missed the last three games. If Purdue can limit the turnovers and maintain a consistent focused effort with the type of intensity seen in most of their previous 10 games, Davidson will have a tall task. The Boilers built a good lead last time out but couldn't hold it due to some timely shooting from the opponent....this game could work in a similar way.
Can the Boilers keep things rolling here as the calendar year end nears? We shall see starting in about 40 minutes or so.
Boiler up, my friends.
