Ok, sack up, how far does this team go?

[Thordog]

sweet 16 would be a great achievement this year, but I don't think they get there. Win 1 game and lose in round of 32.

Happy to be wrong on this guess. The team played with great energy in the 1st half yesterday and put the game out of reach early. We haven's seen that kind of performance in a few weeks.

 

[BBG]

Happy to be wrong on this guess. The team played with great energy in the 1st half yesterday and put the game out of reach early. We haven's seen that kind of performance in a few weeks.

The bench FINALLY showing up sure has helped with that.

 

[northside100]

Happy to be wrong on this guess. The team played with great energy in the 1st half yesterday and put the game out of reach early. We haven's seen that kind of performance in a few weeks.

Agree. I also had us losing yesterday's game pre-tournament. It may be self-preservation on my part, but I think Houston will be a tall ask for this team. I see this as one of the few games this year where just being fundamentally sound may not be enough, this team will also likely need to shoot the ball well.

 

[Smokestack91]

Also, I don't think a #5-seed has ever won the NCAA Tournament. Only top-8 seed position not to have pulled it off since 1985 -

#1, #2, and #3 - (multiple times with the lion's share #1 seeds more than half the time)

#4 - Connecticut ('23) and Arizona ('97 - defeating three #1-seeds)
#6 - Kansas ('88)
#7 - Connecticut ('14)
#8 - Villanove ('85)

It still kills me that the #1 seed in the Midwest didn't win it all in 1988. Maybe our best chance at a national title (including last year).

 

[RDUBoiler]

I had us losing in the Sweet Sixteen, BUT we're due for a miracle to go our way in the tournament. Wouldn't be surprised to see us pull off an upset. Houston is beatable, and we proved in the Alabama game that we can play with anyone in the country.

 

[rgarlitz]

My heart says Purdue pulls it together and makes a respectable Sweet 16 run.

My gut says this team could very well get Little Rock/North Texas/FDUed in the first round---especially if Purdue can't keep High Point out of the paint.

So, I'll split the difference and go with the chalk: Round of 32.

Edit: I guess my pick isn't chalk. I forget Purdue actually got the 4-seed. This doesn't feel like a 4-seed year to me.

Should've gone with my heart. Oh well, the Boilers won. That's all that matters.

 

[Thordog]

Agree. I also had us losing yesterday's game pre-tournament. It may be self-preservation on my part, but I think Houston will be a tall ask for this team. I see this as one of the few games this year where just being fundamentally sound may not be enough, this team will also likely need to shoot the ball well.

This team can beat anybody, but they can also lose to good competition. Houston is a really good team, but I'd really like to see Sampson fail.

 

[northside100]

This team can beat anybody, but they can also lose to good competition. Houston is a really good team, but I'd really like to see Sampson fail.

My question, which I don’t know they answer to, is whether this team needs to play over its head to beat Houston. Meaning everyone plays really well in a way that we haven’t seen often this year.

I agree with you that if Braden, Fletch and Trey all bring their ‘A’ game and the supporting guys are playing with energy and hitting open shots, this team can probably beat anyone.

 

[ChoiceBeef]

My question, which I don’t know they answer to, is whether this team needs to play over its head to beat Houston. Meaning everyone plays really well in a way that we haven’t seen often this year.

I agree with you that if Braden, Fletch and Trey all bring their ‘A’ game and the supporting guys are playing with energy and hitting open shots, this team can probably beat anyone.

That’s a good question and honestly don’t know. I think they are good but they let Gonzaga back into that one and almost lost.

I think we need A games from our Big 3, don’t get beat on the boards, and 20pts from the bench.

 

[rgarlitz]

That’s a good question and honestly don’t know. I think they are good but they let Gonzaga back into that one and almost lost.

I think we need A games from our Big 3, don’t get beat on the boards, and 20pts from the bench.

The bench played great this weekend: 38 points and 35 rebounds in two games on 7/18 3-pt shooting.

Obviously, Houston will be a different beast, but bench contributions were probably the highlight of this weekend for Purdue.

 

[ChoiceBeef]

The bench played great this weekend: 38 points and 35 rebounds in two games on 7/18 3-pt shooting.

Obviously, Houston will be a different beast, but bench contributions were probably the highlight of this weekend for Purdue.

One observation in the McNeese game - when Harris was helping break the press - instead of our traditional throw it back to Braden - he just kept going and ran the offense. It actually threw McNeese off on defense because they hadn’t planned for that. We need to do that more especially against Houston - when there is a chance for a death blow, take it.

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

One observation in the McNeese game - when Harris was helping break the press - instead of our traditional throw it back to Braden - he just kept going and ran the offense. It actually threw McNeese off on defense because they hadn’t planned for that. We need to do that more especially against Houston - when there is a chance for a death blow, take it.

Yes! Noticed the same…man the wait is gonna suck all week 😂

 

[ChoiceBeef]

Yes! Noticed the same…man the wait is gonna suck all week 😂

What a flip - we go from being the first game of the first week to the last game of the second week. I just realized my wife has a speaker event I’m supposed to attend….crap

 

[rgarlitz]

One observation in the McNeese game - when Harris was helping break the press - instead of our traditional throw it back to Braden - he just kept going and ran the offense. It actually threw McNeese off on defense because they hadn’t planned for that. We need to do that more especially against Houston - when there is a chance for a death blow, take it.

I seem to remember Cox, Colvin, and Harris all making tangible contributions to stop that mini surge by McNeese after the Wade technicals about midway through the second half. Both Colvin and Harris hit timely threes, and Cox forced a couple turnovers, if I recall correctly.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I seem to remember Cox, Colvin, and Harris all making tangible contributions to stop that mini surge by McNeese after the Wade technicals about midway through the second half. Both Colvin and Harris hit timely threes, and Cox forced a couple turnovers, if I recall correctly.

CJ Cox also hit a big 3-pt FG late in the shot clock on a possession - Painter mentioned that one, specifically, after the game.

And also mentioned Colvin and Harris contributions.

Purdue is going to need that and then some come Friday night.

 

[spoilerdave]

What a flip - we go from being the first game of the first week to the last game of the second week. I just realized my wife has a speaker event I’m supposed to attend….crap

I'm not upset about them getting a little extra rest. Especially Braden and TKR. Painter prefers the early game but those guys need to eat, sleep, and be ready.

 

[ChoiceBeef]

I'm not upset about them getting a little extra rest. Especially Braden and TKR. Painter prefers the early game but those guys need to eat, sleep, and be ready.

And I think they said Braden likes and plays better during late games. Let the boys run and remember we are playing with house money.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

*** but those guys need to eat, sleep, and be ready.

I will join in that with some slight adjustments..........