1. Rutgers at home: Tough defense with a big who has given Edey troubles in the past.
These guys like to play bully ball and IMO the job they did against IU has people more worried than need be for Purdue. This Purdue team isn’t soft and I think they will simply punch back when they get hit. Edey has improved in so many areas that it’s hard to not think Edey comes out on top going against Omoruyi.
Keys to the game will be to protect the ball, keep it moving and to attack the scrambling defense. Good, deep touches for Z and an increasing in 3% will go a long way to securing a home win.
2. OSU on the road: Solid team with an undersized Key in the paint.
I see this as a big win for this team. I think the home court at OSU is minimal at best. I also see a chance for the Boilers to pick up a good road win as well as regaining a winning margin against all B10 teams. (Not sure about the newest teams??)
Keys to the game will be using our size advantage and feeding the ball inside early and often. Protect the 3 point line from guys like Sueing and rebounding at our normal rate.
3. PSU at neutral site: Hot shooting team with insider knowledge on what Purdue wants to run on offense.
This game worries me the most out of the three. Penn St is shooting lights out from 3 and from several different guys. They don’t have a ton of size however and will play four out against us. Edey should have another big game here and probably half of it from the line. Guards and wings need to know who are the shooters and make them out the ball on the floor.
Keys to this game would be 3 point defense along with using our size as an advantage. We are going to need to really shoot well in this game and to possibly play some small ball. Luckily this team has played some small ball this year and it appears we have the players to be able to pull it off if needed. I still see this game as a win.
Honestly, I am more confident at winning all three if you look at them as one game at a time than I am as a group. Each team will provide a tough matchup such as good shooters, bully type players or veteran squad but, Purdue will have advantages of its own in each game and those advantages all start with Zach Edey. Zach is just at another level than any other player so far this season. His hands are stronger, his lives are more deliberate and his conditioning is off the charts. We also have two of the best freshman in the league in Smith and Loyer. For me however, our strength as a team is our quality depth. I look for us to tighten the rotation a bit going into league play. Yet, I see a 7 deep squad with very little of any drop off. Take Zach out and TKR steps in and own them paint. Take Gillis out and Furst steps in and doesn’t miss a beat while adding to our size advantage. I do seeing us playing 8 however as Jenkins appears to be the only point guard we can put out there with Smith out of the game. All the same, Purdue has quality depth at all five positions. Add in a National player of the year and two hit Frosh and this team will continue to be a tough out for any team in the league.
These guys like to play bully ball and IMO the job they did against IU has people more worried than need be for Purdue. This Purdue team isn’t soft and I think they will simply punch back when they get hit. Edey has improved in so many areas that it’s hard to not think Edey comes out on top going against Omoruyi.
Keys to the game will be to protect the ball, keep it moving and to attack the scrambling defense. Good, deep touches for Z and an increasing in 3% will go a long way to securing a home win.
2. OSU on the road: Solid team with an undersized Key in the paint.
I see this as a big win for this team. I think the home court at OSU is minimal at best. I also see a chance for the Boilers to pick up a good road win as well as regaining a winning margin against all B10 teams. (Not sure about the newest teams??)
Keys to the game will be using our size advantage and feeding the ball inside early and often. Protect the 3 point line from guys like Sueing and rebounding at our normal rate.
3. PSU at neutral site: Hot shooting team with insider knowledge on what Purdue wants to run on offense.
This game worries me the most out of the three. Penn St is shooting lights out from 3 and from several different guys. They don’t have a ton of size however and will play four out against us. Edey should have another big game here and probably half of it from the line. Guards and wings need to know who are the shooters and make them out the ball on the floor.
Keys to this game would be 3 point defense along with using our size as an advantage. We are going to need to really shoot well in this game and to possibly play some small ball. Luckily this team has played some small ball this year and it appears we have the players to be able to pull it off if needed. I still see this game as a win.
Honestly, I am more confident at winning all three if you look at them as one game at a time than I am as a group. Each team will provide a tough matchup such as good shooters, bully type players or veteran squad but, Purdue will have advantages of its own in each game and those advantages all start with Zach Edey. Zach is just at another level than any other player so far this season. His hands are stronger, his lives are more deliberate and his conditioning is off the charts. We also have two of the best freshman in the league in Smith and Loyer. For me however, our strength as a team is our quality depth. I look for us to tighten the rotation a bit going into league play. Yet, I see a 7 deep squad with very little of any drop off. Take Zach out and TKR steps in and own them paint. Take Gillis out and Furst steps in and doesn’t miss a beat while adding to our size advantage. I do seeing us playing 8 however as Jenkins appears to be the only point guard we can put out there with Smith out of the game. All the same, Purdue has quality depth at all five positions. Add in a National player of the year and two hit Frosh and this team will continue to be a tough out for any team in the league.
