Haven't watched Houston. What are we up against?

[tjreese]

Houston will blitz Smith in the PnR and tag TKR so getting the ball to the wing be the only outlet. I say Braden should pause when this happens and continue to occupy two players as cutters move into the lane where there may be an opening.

Yeah it is going to be real interesting at what point they pick up Trey as a function of the pressure put on Braden. They are quick and I don't think skip passes will get there. Like against most pressure...you want the ball to find the middle of the court and once in the middle any openings are easier to find. Will Purdue revert back to low post play for Trey? Will Purdue if unsuccessful in the high ball screen by Trey still bring Trey 12 feet from the basket and try to get the ball to him so he can drive it. Trey has been effective driving the ball. Will Purdue implement more backscreens than usual? Yes, if they make the short roll difficult players are going to need to move cutting through the lane, coming off screens away from the ball...a regression a bit more to years before because they can't stand in the corners if Purdue can't find them. AGain, I know so very little about Houston at this time other than they are quick, athletic and can shoot and work the boards...along with Sampson being a good D coach

 

[qazplm]

Wondering if we even run pick and roll, seems like a formula for playing into what Houston wants to do.

I think any chance at victory will require an off night from Cryer, an on night from at least two Boilers in addition to Smith and TKR being on (Loyer, Cox, Heide or Colvin), Furst will need to play his best game of the year rebounding and on defense, and turnovers under 10.

That scenario gives us a shot IMO. Basically a low mistakes game. No dumb fouls, no wild turnovers, take your shots, make them make plays.

If we have 15+ turnovers, turn down open 3s, and pickup dumb fouls, it's going to be a sad night indeed.

 

[proudopete]

We absolutely have to take the open shot when it presents itself even if early in the clock. Houston likes to run you into a deep shot clock and force you to take a bad shot. I can see Cox and Harris bringing the ball up court quite a bit and initiating the offense. Run Smith off ball as much as possible to take away their “blitzing” of the ball handler up top.

We can’t let them get comfortable on offense either. Do to them as they do to others and make them speed up as well. They like to have less possessions during the game as it highlights their pressure D even more. Speed them up and keep the ball out of Cyrers hands if possible.

I can see us getting out to a quick start if Paint has a plan to override what they like to do. We are going to shoot a lot from distance and we will do it early even as we try to get TKR going.

If the big 3 have average games then we need a couple of more scorers to show up to get us over the top. Harris, Cox, Heide and Colvin need to be ready to shoot as well as cutting to the basket as often as possible. Back doors should be available so I hope we set screens to get them when we can.

I just hops we can keep it close and then anything can happen as the pressure is all on them.

 

[proudopete]

One other point. We need to draw fouls and not shy away from them. Alabama beat them by shooting 40 some free throws and we can too. We need to make our free throws of course but we have to get them in foul trouble.

 

[tjreese]

So I am wondering if a screen and re-screen might be beneficial or even setting a double screen with the second screen being on either the original defender or the high hedge man, maybe causing a bit more disruption or chaos in their rotation 🤷

I'm very much in favor of screens particularly if teams are in your jock. However, not knowing anything about Houston I can see them doubling on ball screens as was the common approach years ago when D was a bit more physical and so off ball screens "might" work better. I don't think Purdue abandons the high ball screen with Trey unless their counter and quickness pose problems. I'd like to see Purdue go back a bit to some screening down 12' or so above the baseline , but close to the arc with some curls by the person getting screened and slips by the screener. I expect as a best guess with Houston that Purdue needs 1)more off ball screens 2)more slips 3) less dribble and more passing 4) some back screens & back cuts 5) would love to see clear outs for Braden to start the game 6) more driving the ball. I fear bringing two Houston defenders together and overall want Purdue to attack pressure rather than letting Houston speed them up and have them leaning back instead of forward. I think the early minutes are crucial to calm the team and send a signal that Houston's D is not going to turn Purdue over. I say all this and I don't really know Houston but just throw out some things against pressure and such. Course this is all on offense. I don't know how Purdue plays them without knowing more about the players and such...

 

[tjreese]

We absolutely have to take the open shot when it presents itself even if early in the clock. Houston likes to run you into a deep shot clock and force you to take a bad shot. I can see Cox and Harris bringing the ball up court quite a bit and initiating the offense. Run Smith off ball as much as possible to take away their “blitzing” of the ball handler up top.

We can’t let them get comfortable on offense either. Do to them as they do to others and make them speed up as well. They like to have less possessions during the game as it highlights their pressure D even more. Speed them up and keep the ball out of Cyrers hands if possible.

I can see us getting out to a quick start if Paint has a plan to override what they like to do. We are going to shoot a lot from distance and we will do it early even as we try to get TKR going.

If the big 3 have average games then we need a couple of more scorers to show up to get us over the top. Harris, Cox, Heide and Colvin need to be ready to shoot as well as cutting to the basket as often as possible. Back doors should be available so I hope we set screens to get them when we can.

I just hops we can keep it close and then anything can happen as the pressure is all on them.

This is a fine line...push the ball at every chance and try to score when Purdue has a distinct advantage. I imagine Matt tells them to take the open three on a push if there. THAT said I don't think Purdue wants to get up and down the court like a race horse since they have better quickness as a team...AND Purdue forfeits Trey in that scenario and so I think Purdue is selective in how quickly Purdue tries to score. If the dome effects perimeter shooters...Purdue might find some long rebounds to push...as does Houston if both teams are affected...and if so then Trey is still Trey and you just get more creative to get him the ball and where you get him the ball. AGain, these thoughts are with very little viewing and none on their stats and so I could be completely off...

 

[PaBoiler78]

Just from what I've read, they're big, strong, mean and athletic. Sounds very similar to Auburn this year and UConn last year.
Is Smith in for a night?
Will Fletch get any open looks?