Fri BIG Game

[pubill]

Very happy to be playing Friday, think the matchup is bad for us and think we have to play our A to A+ game(like the Ala game and Mich home game) and Houston needs to play their C game for us to have chance. But been thinking about what a win could mean for us and where it would rank in importance.

We have never beat a 1 seed, think we have 6 chances at it to date and lost all , which is not embarrassing. I think in last 10 years we have been a top 15 program without a doubt with our 6 of 8 Sweet 16 appearances and Natty Champion runnerup. Winning Friday even gives us more cred. I think a win tomorrow ranks 2nd to only our win last year over Tenn to get us to the Final 4 in importance and significance.

My brain tells me to bet Hou and don't get hopes up, but I had to be there tomorrow cause if we can pull this out, it is big. No one predicting we win and I love it, play loose and confident and fly around and shock the world.

 

[qazplm]

I don't know that they are that far ahead of us that we need an A+ and they need a C for us to win.

We probably need an A game and probably a B game. Which to me means that we limit turnovers to single digits, have 4 or more double digit scorers, and play even on the boards and they miss a couple of shots they normally make.

If we both play our A games then we probably lose.

 

[proudopete]

TO’s < 10
11 or more 3’s
Close to even RB

 

[JerseyBoiler]

Very happy to be playing Friday, think the matchup is bad for us and think we have to play our A to A+ game(like the Ala game and Mich home game) and Houston needs to play their C game for us to have chance. But been thinking about what a win could mean for us and where it would rank in importance.

We have never beat a 1 seed, think we have 6 chances at it to date and lost all , which is not embarrassing. I think in last 10 years we have been a top 15 program without a doubt with our 6 of 8 Sweet 16 appearances and Natty Champion runnerup. Winning Friday even gives us more cred. I think a win tomorrow ranks 2nd to only our win last year over Tenn to get us to the Final 4 in importance and significance.

My brain tells me to bet Hou and don't get hopes up, but I had to be there tomorrow cause if we can pull this out, it is big. No one predicting we win and I love it, play loose and confident and fly around and shock the world

While we have not played A+ games so far in the tournament, like those against AL and UM, some things have definitely changed for the better. Our rebounding and defense in both tournament games has been outstanding. Colvin and Heide are playing well and seem to be peaking at just the right time. Harris is shooting much better and with confidence. However, to beat Houston and we have the horses to do it, 3 things have to happen in addition to the improvements mentioned above. Either Cox or Harris has to be a reliable ball handler, we need solid perimeter defense and lastly.....no lazy passes. Boiler Up!!!!!!

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Very happy to be playing Friday, think the matchup is bad for us and think we have to play our A to A+ game(like the Ala game and Mich home game) and Houston needs to play their C game for us to have chance. But been thinking about what a win could mean for us and where it would rank in importance.

We have never beat a 1 seed, think we have 6 chances at it to date and lost all , which is not embarrassing. I think in last 10 years we have been a top 15 program without a doubt with our 6 of 8 Sweet 16 appearances and Natty Champion runnerup. Winning Friday even gives us more cred. I think a win tomorrow ranks 2nd to only our win last year over Tenn to get us to the Final 4 in importance and significance.

My brain tells me to bet Hou and don't get hopes up, but I had to be there tomorrow cause if we can pull this out, it is big. No one predicting we win and I love it, play loose and confident and fly around and shock the world.

Need to stay within 5-7 points into the 2nd half, then have someone get hot from 3, get the UK or UT fans cheering for the upset, Houston gets tight, and we hang on down the stretch.

 

[Dryfly88]

Looks like we are now 8.5 dogs. So not a huge number, but significant. I agree with others that TO's will be huge. Single digits please! And very few live ball variety. While I don't think we need to be lights out from 3, we do need a decent % on a fairly high volume. Tall task for sure, but not out of reach.

 

[Hausta01]

I think we battle on the boards to a near tie, hit open 3s at a very good clip, and turn it over only 11 times.

I also see the entire Houston starting line-up getting terrible food poisoning from a nearby Chipotle, so take my prediction with a grain of salt. 😉

 

[Roeder]

FYI Boilers in the Stands had a great preview. I've enjoyed listening to Joe and Craig this year. If you are looking for content they break the matchup down really well. It was interesting to learn Houston shoots a very low percentage of their shots at the rim among other things. I've pivoted to them over field of 68 and Sleepers for my Purdue basketball content.

Overall it is a ton of fun when your team makes the sweet 16. This weekend is better than the opening one IMO. Upsets are overrated. We are going to see some great coaches and teams in some high level battles. Purdue being here again is icing on the cake.

 

[qazplm]

Looks like we are now 8.5 dogs. So not a huge number, but significant. I agree with others that TO's will be huge. Single digits please! And very few live ball variety. While I don't think we need to be lights out from 3, we do need a decent % on a fairly high volume. Tall task for sure, but not out of reach.

It's a reasonable projection. If Houston brings their A game we probably lose by mid single digits.

If they are off just a little though and we bring our Alabama game, then we can squeak out a win.

If we bring B or less, it's a double digit loss.

I do like that we have a week to prepare. I think that definitely helps.

 

[ImRonBurgandy?]

Houston has been in a ton of close games, part of the reason I think they may be ripe for the pickin. However, instead of trying to keep it close, I think we need to punch them in the mouth out of the gate and force them to play from behind. Think AZ game last year. Easier said then done I know.

 

[qazplm]

Houston has been in a ton of close games, part of the reason I think they may be ripe for the pickin. However, instead of trying to keep it close, I think we need to punch them in the mouth out of the gate and force them to play from behind. Think AZ game last year. Easier said then done I know.

Way easier said than done. Let's not kid, number 1 defense and top offense, few turnovers, great rebounders, only lost four games all season.

It's going to take an outlier game from us regardless of how they play. If we win, I think it's going to be us just hitting every open and half open shot and completely selling out on the boards. And maybe then shooting a little below percentages.

I suppose another path is a tightly called game given how aggressive they are on defense.

 

[Gman544]

I think to win among other things our All American has to have an All American game. Somehow Smith has to overcome quick athletic guards that usually bother his game. He needs a 20+ point 10+ assist low turnover game while pushing tempo when it is there. If he has high turnovers, under 7 assists and struggles to make shots it will be a double digit loss.

 

[icewind7]

We will beat Houston

 

[qazplm]

We will beat Houston

Vicky Vallencourt energy

 

[punaj]

If Purdue scores more points than Houston they will get the win.