Greetings from the bowels of Mackey Arena here on the ice planet of West Lafayette, where No. 4 Purdue hosts Michigan this afternoon for what was supposed to be the Main Event of the home schedule this year.
Instead, the Wolverines come in having not lived up to this point to their lofty preseason expectations, as the realities of being young in the Big Ten have undoubtedly been a big part of their problem.
Michigan's actually won four of five coming in, but three of those wins came over riff-raff and I think we can all agree that that win at Indiana probably had something to do with IU painting the town crimson after winning that weird game against Purdue.
Purdue's in the midst of a grueling portion of its schedule, thanks to Michigan's COVID pause, and Michigan's starting a grueling stretch itself. These are the dog days of the Big Ten season, when mental and physical toughness and personal consistency matter so much.
Michigan has a lot of talent, and you always wonder what would happen when a team like this has its Eureka moment. It looked like it at Indiana, but it was not. This is one of those games where if you're a Purdue partisan, you'd like to see the Boilermakers really come out with energy and effort and try to snow the Wolverines under from the outset on their home floor.
Purdue's been starting games on the road really well of late. Doing so at home today would be a welcomed sight.
A few more thoughts ...
• All due respect to Michigan's supporting cast, but this is all about Hunter Dickinson. Purdue needs to really make him work on defense, and really work to keep him out of his preferred position. When he gets it, Purdue's help has to be impactful. Mason Gillis and Caleb Furst have both done a good job this season in that regard, but Dickinson's the most clever big man they'll have seen this season.
Dickinson can shoot threes and today's a game where he may get some looks in that regard. You just don't want him to make six of 'em or something like that.
Watch the fouls. If Purdue can get Dickinson to a point where his fouls matter, this game changes considerably. Remember: Purdue's got two of 'em, Michigan's got one. Huge advantage.
• Just keep doing what you've been doing, Purdue. They've played at a pretty high level during this win streak. When they get away from what works or try too hard to throw knockout punches or go viral with fancy passes, that's when they make themselves vulnerable. I think at home that's an bigger threat, because human nature and playing to the crowd go hand in hand.
• The three ball. Purdue's making a ton of shots right now and that's happening because they're generating and taking mostly the right shots. When Purdue's talent meets consistent discipline, really good things happen. Keep it up.
That's what I've got.
Thanks, folks.
Follow along here or on the Twitter machine at @brianneubert.
Full coverage to come afterward.
http://twitter.com/brianneubert
Instead, the Wolverines come in having not lived up to this point to their lofty preseason expectations, as the realities of being young in the Big Ten have undoubtedly been a big part of their problem.
Michigan's actually won four of five coming in, but three of those wins came over riff-raff and I think we can all agree that that win at Indiana probably had something to do with IU painting the town crimson after winning that weird game against Purdue.
Purdue's in the midst of a grueling portion of its schedule, thanks to Michigan's COVID pause, and Michigan's starting a grueling stretch itself. These are the dog days of the Big Ten season, when mental and physical toughness and personal consistency matter so much.
Michigan has a lot of talent, and you always wonder what would happen when a team like this has its Eureka moment. It looked like it at Indiana, but it was not. This is one of those games where if you're a Purdue partisan, you'd like to see the Boilermakers really come out with energy and effort and try to snow the Wolverines under from the outset on their home floor.
Purdue's been starting games on the road really well of late. Doing so at home today would be a welcomed sight.
A few more thoughts ...
• All due respect to Michigan's supporting cast, but this is all about Hunter Dickinson. Purdue needs to really make him work on defense, and really work to keep him out of his preferred position. When he gets it, Purdue's help has to be impactful. Mason Gillis and Caleb Furst have both done a good job this season in that regard, but Dickinson's the most clever big man they'll have seen this season.
Dickinson can shoot threes and today's a game where he may get some looks in that regard. You just don't want him to make six of 'em or something like that.
Watch the fouls. If Purdue can get Dickinson to a point where his fouls matter, this game changes considerably. Remember: Purdue's got two of 'em, Michigan's got one. Huge advantage.
• Just keep doing what you've been doing, Purdue. They've played at a pretty high level during this win streak. When they get away from what works or try too hard to throw knockout punches or go viral with fancy passes, that's when they make themselves vulnerable. I think at home that's an bigger threat, because human nature and playing to the crowd go hand in hand.
• The three ball. Purdue's making a ton of shots right now and that's happening because they're generating and taking mostly the right shots. When Purdue's talent meets consistent discipline, really good things happen. Keep it up.
That's what I've got.
Thanks, folks.
Follow along here or on the Twitter machine at @brianneubert.
Full coverage to come afterward.
http://twitter.com/brianneubert
