A few final musings following Purdue's 73-70 win over Maryland, because I know how you like musings ...
• Keep in mind here re: Jaden Ivey: This wasn't just him scoring in big moments. He was the guy bringing the ball up against Maryland's trapping, when Maryland was surging, and he made important plays beyond scoring. Four assists to no turnovers, two of those assists coming right on the heels of his seven-point run.
Purdue doesn't win without him, I don't think.
• I saw Brandon Newman play a lot before Purdue, but I never really saw him do as much off the dribble or make this many pull-up jumpers before. He's really rounded out his scoring repertoire it seems like. He's finishing at the basket at a pretty high rate.
His work has clearly paid off.
• Don't forget about Mason Gillis' offensive rebound at the end of the first half and the two foul shots he made. Big play at both the time and in the final analysis. That dude is doing so much right right now.
• Zach Edey drew seven fouls. That's Isaac Haas Redux. It's such an advantage when that stuff piles up on opponents and suddenly Purdue's in the bonus real quick. It would be more of an advantage if Purdue was more of a slashing team or got the ball inside more than it did today, because it would be drawing more contact and getting more foul shots, but a big advantage nonetheless.
• Eric Hunter is doing a really good job running ball-screen offense, to the point where Purdue can just throw up a screen and probably get something every time. Offensively, this can be a pretty well-rounded team in time I think.
• Trevion Williams is getting behind way too many plays and picking up fouls because of it. The inconsistency there remains, which has to be frustrating for Purdue, because he carries so much gravity on this team. Hard to build a consistent team around inconsistency.
• Kind of a drag that a good, competitive college basketball game ended on a goal tend and a bunch of missed foul shots.
Considering all that, and the Terps' brutal shooting at the foul line, Maryland really lost this game as much as Purdue won it. All due respect to Purdue.
• I don't think Maryland's great, but kudos to them for finding some weaknesses and attacking them. Wondering why they let Chol Marial shoot like he's Reggie Miler, though. Those were his first three three-point attempts of his career.
• And kudos to the officials for not taking the bait on Eric Ayala trying to bait Eric Hunter into that foul on their last three. Maryland had nothing there.
Thanks for reading, everybody, and have a good rest of your Christmas.
• Keep in mind here re: Jaden Ivey: This wasn't just him scoring in big moments. He was the guy bringing the ball up against Maryland's trapping, when Maryland was surging, and he made important plays beyond scoring. Four assists to no turnovers, two of those assists coming right on the heels of his seven-point run.
Purdue doesn't win without him, I don't think.
• I saw Brandon Newman play a lot before Purdue, but I never really saw him do as much off the dribble or make this many pull-up jumpers before. He's really rounded out his scoring repertoire it seems like. He's finishing at the basket at a pretty high rate.
His work has clearly paid off.
• Don't forget about Mason Gillis' offensive rebound at the end of the first half and the two foul shots he made. Big play at both the time and in the final analysis. That dude is doing so much right right now.
• Zach Edey drew seven fouls. That's Isaac Haas Redux. It's such an advantage when that stuff piles up on opponents and suddenly Purdue's in the bonus real quick. It would be more of an advantage if Purdue was more of a slashing team or got the ball inside more than it did today, because it would be drawing more contact and getting more foul shots, but a big advantage nonetheless.
• Eric Hunter is doing a really good job running ball-screen offense, to the point where Purdue can just throw up a screen and probably get something every time. Offensively, this can be a pretty well-rounded team in time I think.
• Trevion Williams is getting behind way too many plays and picking up fouls because of it. The inconsistency there remains, which has to be frustrating for Purdue, because he carries so much gravity on this team. Hard to build a consistent team around inconsistency.
• Kind of a drag that a good, competitive college basketball game ended on a goal tend and a bunch of missed foul shots.
Considering all that, and the Terps' brutal shooting at the foul line, Maryland really lost this game as much as Purdue won it. All due respect to Purdue.
• I don't think Maryland's great, but kudos to them for finding some weaknesses and attacking them. Wondering why they let Chol Marial shoot like he's Reggie Miler, though. Those were his first three three-point attempts of his career.
• And kudos to the officials for not taking the bait on Eric Ayala trying to bait Eric Hunter into that foul on their last three. Maryland had nothing there.
Thanks for reading, everybody, and have a good rest of your Christmas.
