MILWAUKEE — A few final musings from Purdue's 81-71 win over Texas in the NCAA Tournament, because I know how you like musings ...
• Purdue's defensive energy and cohesiveness on defense were virtually unlike anything seen this season, and to be honest, had both teams not experienced outlier shooting through 20-30 minutes of play, this game wouldn't have been close at the end because of it.
A huge step Purdue has taken defensively. Huge.
They are communicating, they are playing hard and they are locked in to what they need to be doing, and that starts with Jaden Ivey and Trevion Williams, the two guys whose consistency at that end of the floor has been Purdue's temperature gauge all season.
If Purdue keeps guarding like this and takes care of the basketball, there's nothing they can't do the next couple weeks.
• It's so important when your alpha wants the ball when it matters most. That's almost half the battle. Jaden Ivey wants the ball at the same level as like Caleb Swanigan and Carsen Edwards if not even more. He's a killer, man, and I think he's better when he's just playing off instinct or emotion, just out there reacting. Texas completely took away his ability to get to the rim and he beat them anyway.
• In context, Caleb Furst was unbelievable tonight. That three was an enormous shot, coming right after Texas had taken a two-point lead. No moment's too big for that kid, as this was similar to the North Carolina game for him months ago.
Purdue was +11 with Furst on the floor today.
• You realize the gravity of this event when you see a team lose, as I was reminded walking past Chris Beard on his way to the post-game press conference with Courtney Ramey's arm around him, as if the coach was helping him along. Reminded me of standing outside Purdue's locker room in Omaha years ago after the Kansas loss and seeing Robbie Hummel and Lewis Jackson basically carrying each other to the post-game press conference. It's all so sad, that part of it.
• Purdue missed 13 free throws and while that may sound like a lot, Purdue was really just a hair below its season percentage at the line. This is just what they are, and 27-of-33 against Yale was fleeting.
• Purdue was really worried about Timmy Allen, I think. His night: Two points, five fouls.
Versatile 4s can be a problem for Purdue. They did a great job with him.
Thanks for reading, everybody, and have a good night
• Purdue's defensive energy and cohesiveness on defense were virtually unlike anything seen this season, and to be honest, had both teams not experienced outlier shooting through 20-30 minutes of play, this game wouldn't have been close at the end because of it.
A huge step Purdue has taken defensively. Huge.
They are communicating, they are playing hard and they are locked in to what they need to be doing, and that starts with Jaden Ivey and Trevion Williams, the two guys whose consistency at that end of the floor has been Purdue's temperature gauge all season.
If Purdue keeps guarding like this and takes care of the basketball, there's nothing they can't do the next couple weeks.
• It's so important when your alpha wants the ball when it matters most. That's almost half the battle. Jaden Ivey wants the ball at the same level as like Caleb Swanigan and Carsen Edwards if not even more. He's a killer, man, and I think he's better when he's just playing off instinct or emotion, just out there reacting. Texas completely took away his ability to get to the rim and he beat them anyway.
• In context, Caleb Furst was unbelievable tonight. That three was an enormous shot, coming right after Texas had taken a two-point lead. No moment's too big for that kid, as this was similar to the North Carolina game for him months ago.
Purdue was +11 with Furst on the floor today.
• You realize the gravity of this event when you see a team lose, as I was reminded walking past Chris Beard on his way to the post-game press conference with Courtney Ramey's arm around him, as if the coach was helping him along. Reminded me of standing outside Purdue's locker room in Omaha years ago after the Kansas loss and seeing Robbie Hummel and Lewis Jackson basically carrying each other to the post-game press conference. It's all so sad, that part of it.
• Purdue missed 13 free throws and while that may sound like a lot, Purdue was really just a hair below its season percentage at the line. This is just what they are, and 27-of-33 against Yale was fleeting.
• Purdue was really worried about Timmy Allen, I think. His night: Two points, five fouls.
Versatile 4s can be a problem for Purdue. They did a great job with him.
Thanks for reading, everybody, and have a good night
