BLOOMINGTON — Greetings, everyone, from the front seat of my career, where I'm working because we are not allowed in the arena 'til 5:30 and no restaurant dining rooms seem to be open around here right now.
Had I known all this, I'd have worked at the hotel.
Oh well.
Anyway, as I sit here enjoying my Speedway station dinner, our usual pre-game thoughts.
This is one of those nights at IU where they're ready to print T-shirts., Like, I don't know how many ways there are to look at this game where you can really like the Hoosiers' chances, but funny things happen in rivalries and this building — or rather that building as I look at it from my car — does funny things. Just because Purdue's been immune to it for half a decade doesn't mean it doesn't.
Purdue's trending splendidly, if you ask me. Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey have taken real steps since the Wisconsin game, Purdue's a great offensive team and an improving defensive team. Purdue's been up for this game every year for a long time now and I wouldn't that to change now.
Indiana's done a good job defensively this season, but they've seen nothing like Purdue to this point. I don't think so much has changed about them offensively that they're going to be that much harder to defend, though I do like their shooters better now than those the last few teams have had, those lead balloons around Trayce Jackson-Davis' ankle.
About him: That's sort of the dark cloud hanging over IU, TJD's health. He needs to be great for them tonight, and he needs to do it against the sort of size that gives him problems and the sort of game plan that has done the same. If his quickness is hindered, that would not be a positive development for the Hoosiers.
As I just left a local business here in Bloomington, one employee said to the other, "Who are they playing tonight?" The other responded, "Purdue."
The reply: "Good luck to us, then."
I'd imagine that's the general feeling around here among those who can be objective, but Purdue is going to have to play well to win this game. Nothing will come easily tonight, I wouldn't think.
Three more things ...
• Post doubles and defensive rotations: I would have to think Purdue's going to be doubling off Race Thompson and/or Jordan Geronimo (who can shoot threes) against TJD. That will put a premium on Mason Gillis and Caleb Furst's authority when it comes to post doubles. Furst did a great job with it against Nebraska and Gillis did a good job with it at Illinois. Purdue's doubles have to move Jackson-Davis off his spots and challenge the counter-punch passes. What's tough about TJD is he'll catch the ball in the high post, too, and drive. But they need to make him work in the post.
• Offensive purpose: Indiana has done a good job defensively. They'll challenge passes and cuts, but Purdue just faced another formidable defensive team and did well, so I don't know how many red flags there really are here.
As always Jaden Ivey's decision-making is critical. That's not opponent-specific. That's an every-game thing. I think stealing baskets off turnovers and transition, stuff that Illinois did a good job closing off, would be enormous tonight.
Get the ball to Edey early and often. Indiana will have something up its sleeve, but they have to both get Edey going and get Jackson-Davis on an island from the outset.
• Rebounding: Purdue did a tremendous job keeping Illinois off the offensive boards, but that was more a singular-focus thing with Kofi Cockburn. Tonight, it's TJD, but even more so Race Thompson, because he'll be that back-side guy when Purdue's helping on Jackson-Davis. Jordan Geronimo, too. It feels like that guy is really coming on.
That's what I've got.
Thanks everyone. Follow along here or at Twitter at @brianneubert.
Full coverage to come afterward.
Had I known all this, I'd have worked at the hotel.
Oh well.
Anyway, as I sit here enjoying my Speedway station dinner, our usual pre-game thoughts.
This is one of those nights at IU where they're ready to print T-shirts., Like, I don't know how many ways there are to look at this game where you can really like the Hoosiers' chances, but funny things happen in rivalries and this building — or rather that building as I look at it from my car — does funny things. Just because Purdue's been immune to it for half a decade doesn't mean it doesn't.
Purdue's trending splendidly, if you ask me. Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey have taken real steps since the Wisconsin game, Purdue's a great offensive team and an improving defensive team. Purdue's been up for this game every year for a long time now and I wouldn't that to change now.
Indiana's done a good job defensively this season, but they've seen nothing like Purdue to this point. I don't think so much has changed about them offensively that they're going to be that much harder to defend, though I do like their shooters better now than those the last few teams have had, those lead balloons around Trayce Jackson-Davis' ankle.
About him: That's sort of the dark cloud hanging over IU, TJD's health. He needs to be great for them tonight, and he needs to do it against the sort of size that gives him problems and the sort of game plan that has done the same. If his quickness is hindered, that would not be a positive development for the Hoosiers.
As I just left a local business here in Bloomington, one employee said to the other, "Who are they playing tonight?" The other responded, "Purdue."
The reply: "Good luck to us, then."
I'd imagine that's the general feeling around here among those who can be objective, but Purdue is going to have to play well to win this game. Nothing will come easily tonight, I wouldn't think.
Three more things ...
• Post doubles and defensive rotations: I would have to think Purdue's going to be doubling off Race Thompson and/or Jordan Geronimo (who can shoot threes) against TJD. That will put a premium on Mason Gillis and Caleb Furst's authority when it comes to post doubles. Furst did a great job with it against Nebraska and Gillis did a good job with it at Illinois. Purdue's doubles have to move Jackson-Davis off his spots and challenge the counter-punch passes. What's tough about TJD is he'll catch the ball in the high post, too, and drive. But they need to make him work in the post.
• Offensive purpose: Indiana has done a good job defensively. They'll challenge passes and cuts, but Purdue just faced another formidable defensive team and did well, so I don't know how many red flags there really are here.
As always Jaden Ivey's decision-making is critical. That's not opponent-specific. That's an every-game thing. I think stealing baskets off turnovers and transition, stuff that Illinois did a good job closing off, would be enormous tonight.
Get the ball to Edey early and often. Indiana will have something up its sleeve, but they have to both get Edey going and get Jackson-Davis on an island from the outset.
• Rebounding: Purdue did a tremendous job keeping Illinois off the offensive boards, but that was more a singular-focus thing with Kofi Cockburn. Tonight, it's TJD, but even more so Race Thompson, because he'll be that back-side guy when Purdue's helping on Jackson-Davis. Jordan Geronimo, too. It feels like that guy is really coming on.
That's what I've got.
Thanks everyone. Follow along here or at Twitter at @brianneubert.
Full coverage to come afterward.
