OT: Houston vs Gonzaga

[clankhan]

Houston looks incredibly mature, with a roster full of players who play like they’re already ready for the NBA. Their physicality, skill, and poise on the court make them a serious threat in this tournament.

As for Gonzaga while they’ve had their moments, it’s tough to gauge much yet.

Thoughts?

If we play Houston, we will definitely need another ball handler for us. (Who’s that going to be? )

 

[Boilerfla]

and we’re going to need a bigger boat

we're going to need a bigger boat - Google Search

 

[Ajas0810]

Houston is good but they’re beatable. They didn’t play nearly the schedule we did.

 

[Boilerfla]

Somebody will need to blanket 23 yr old Cryer

 

[seminolesboilers]

We will need to overcome pressure defense…and limit turnovers.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

Zags making this a little interesting - but Houston is used to playing grinder games.

 

[msfboiler3]

We will need to overcome pressure defense…and limit turnovers.

Turnovers and rebounding

 

[SaratogaBoiler1]

We can win this - our offense is gonna have to be really good obviously because of their D and they have grown men who are gonna score on us.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

One point game, folks.....wow. 21 seconds left.

81-76 final - Gonzaga didn't get a tying triple off - good defense from Houston to hang on.

Boilers will need a ton of poise Friday evening - possible but a tall ask. We shall see.

 

[proudopete]

Houston is beatable. I trust Paint

 

[A. Ness]

Purdue went as far as they should with the roster. Anything else is heart + coaching. Met expectations for sure.

 

[spoilerdave]

This is gonna be tough, but it's doable if we don't have brain farts like we did the last 5 minutes. 6 days rest, leave it all on the court. Home field advantage, let's do this!

Wisky almost came back to keep the B10 undefeated but fell by 2 at the end. 10-1 with UCLA down 6 in the 2nd half.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

One point game, folks.....wow. 21 seconds left.

81-76 final - Gonzaga didn't get a tying triple off - good defense from Houston to hang on.

Boilers will need a ton of poise Friday evening - possible but a tall ask. We shall see.

I understand that refs usually don't want to put themselves in the spotlight at the end of games, but I still want to know how nothing was called on Battle on the last attempt. Travel? Double-dribble? Something!

I, of course, in keeping with today's theme, needed 1 more stat from 1 player in this game. This time it was one more Ike rebound. Ugh.

 

[A. Ness]

This is gonna be tough, but it's doable if we don't have brain farts like we did the last 5 minutes. 6 days rest, leave it all on the court. Home field advantage, let's do this!

Wisky almost came back to keep the B10 undefeated but fell by 2 at the end. 10-1 with UCLA down 6 in the 2nd half.

Gard is the worst coach in the B1G when he doesn't get the refs. Horrible play to end the game. Wisconsin is trash.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I understand that refs usually don't want to put themselves in the spotlight at the end of games, but I still want to know how nothing was called on Battle on the last attempt. Travel? Double-dribble? Something!

I, of course, in keeping with today's theme, needed 1 more stat from 1 player in this game. This time it was one more Ike rebound. Ugh.

I hear you, Chi-Boiler. Seems like unless it's really egregious, they swallow the whistle on other violations.....another reason (No. 9) why you don't want it to come down to a last possession if you've had control of the game.

 

[Gemini95]

Gard is the worst coach in the B1G when he doesn't get the refs. Horrible play to end the game. Wisconsin is trash.

Tonje picking up his dribble there was awful.

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

Gard is the worst coach in the B1G when he doesn't get the refs. Horrible play to end the game. Wisconsin is trash.

@TwinDegrees2

 

[purduedavie]

Houston is beatable, likely a 5.5 favorite I’.m guessing, rather play them than Florida or Duke.

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

Houston is beatable, likely a 5.5 favorite I’.m guessing, rather play them than Florida or Duke.

Yes out of the ones we matchup best IMO with them. With that said, very tough!

Can shoot the 3 well and defend HARD. But they have scoring droughts, so they are beatable, but gonna be super tough still. Gotta play A+++. Need a great 3pt shooting game from everyone.

Can’t wait for the matchup of TKR vs Roberts. Roberts is VERY physical, but TKR is an OX.

Braden vs their guards will be a matchup to watch. And I think we can’t stop dryer, but just try to make it difficult on him. Cj, gicarri and Myles have their work cut out for them!

playing with house money imo so nothing to lose. 6 days until we play again, go let’s get some rest and see what plant and staff come up with

 

[seminolesboilers]

No #1 seed will be easy...but Houston would be my choice over Auburn (we know how that turned out on the road), Florida, and Duke.

 

[clankhan]

Houston is beatable, likely a 5.5 favorite I’.m guessing, rather play them than Florida or Duke.

Would we rather play them over Tennessee? (Just curious since they’re the top 2 seed)

Was really hoping Gonzaga would pull it off to be honest

 

[tjreese]

Yes out of the ones we matchup best IMO with them. With that said, very tough!

Can shoot the 3 well and defend HARD. But they have scoring droughts, so they are beatable, but gonna be super tough still. Gotta play A+++. Need a great 3pt shooting game from everyone.

Can’t wait for the matchup of TKR vs Roberts. Roberts is VERY physical, but TKR is an OX.

Braden vs their guards will be a matchup to watch. And I think we can’t stop dryer, but just try to make it difficult on him. Cj, gicarri and Myles have their work cut out for them!

playing with house money imo so nothing to lose. 6 days until we play again, go let’s get some rest and see what plant and staff come up with

As a casual observer it appeared to me that Houston came out of the game going fast at both ends at the start. I didn't see the same level of intensity second half. When going hard early it was quite common to find two houston players on the ball where ever it was for a second. Obviously someone is open for a second or two, but in passing the ball 1) Purdue can't get on auto mode to swing the ball without the read that the Purdue player is open for certain. 2) The speed and pressure Houston provided EARLY left open looks "IF" the ball can swing quicker than the players without getting into auto mode swinging the ball as it will get intercepted. 3) Getting the ball inside will slow their perimeter D down, but I look for them to hard hedge Braden with two possibly and swarm Trey with coverage leaving perhaps a skip pass to the weakside. However, team speed is there for Houston and what is open for a skip with most teams may have less time to effectively skip pass than against most team. I think if Purdue can handle the first line of defensive pressure from Houston Purdue can score inside and possibly shift Houston to doing a few digs leaving the 3 ball open as well as quick swings of the ball for Purdue, but not in auto mode.

Houston also has a physical front line and so they are going to put pressure on Trey to defend as well as scoring. Purdue may need a few more minutes from Berg if pressure on Trey to defend puts fouls on him or he gets gassed. Also, Braden will get a LOT of attention from Houston as Houston as well as all teams start with how to defend Braden. As you mentioned, Purdue's CJ and Giccari must be effective in not turning it over, helping Braden against the pressure, score when open, and defend well against Houston. Cam and Myles need the extra possessions off boards, the athleticism on D and being ready with hands and feet to receive the ball and shoot for that second or so they are open...and if a very hard closeout...drive the ball under control and make the appropriate pass or easy shot if there.

Houston scored at will it seemed behind the arc and were also effective with their big inside. Cryler was good as you stated!

 

[clankhan]

As a casual observer it appeared to me that Houston came out of the game going fast at both ends at the start. I didn't see the same level of intensity second half. When going hard early it was quite common to find two houston players on the ball where ever it was for a second. Obviously someone is open for a second or two, but in passing the ball 1) Purdue can't get on auto mode to swing the ball without the read that the Purdue player is open for certain. 2) The speed and pressure Houston provided EARLY left open looks "IF" the ball can swing quicker than the players without getting into auto mode swinging the ball as it will get intercepted. 3) Getting the ball inside will slow their perimeter D down, but I look for them to hard hedge Braden with two possibly and swarm Trey with coverage leaving perhaps a skip pass to the weakside. However, team speed is there for Houston and what is open for a skip with most teams may have less time to effectively skip pass than against most team. I think if Purdue can handle the first line of defensive pressure from Houston Purdue can score inside and possibly shift Houston to doing a few digs leaving the 3 ball open as well as quick swings of the ball for Purdue, but not in auto mode.

Houston also has a physical front line and so they are going to put pressure on Trey to defend as well as scoring. Purdue may need a few more minutes from Berg if pressure on Trey to defend puts fouls on him or he gets gassed. Also, Braden will get a LOT of attention from Houston as Houston as well as all teams start with how to defend Braden. As you mentioned, Purdue's CJ and Giccari must be effective in not turning it over, helping Braden against the pressure, score when open, and defend well against Houston. Cam and Myles need the extra possessions off boards, the athleticism on D and being ready with hands and feet to receive the ball and shoot for that second or so they are open...and if a very hard closeout...drive the ball under control and make the appropriate pass or easy shot if there.

Houston scored at will it seemed behind the arc and were also effective with their big inside. Cryler was good as you stated!

Hopefully we have Burgess back by then, we’ll need his 5 fouls and any contributions he can muster imho.

I think for us to be successful, we are going to need a secondary ball handler to help Braden. I hope cox , Harris (and hopefully someone else to a lesser extent) are up for the task.

 

[tjreese]

Hopefully we have Burgess back by then, we’ll need his 5 fouls and any contributions he can muster imho.

I think for us to be successful, we are going to need a secondary ball handler to help Braden. I hope cox , Harris (and hopefully someone else to a lesser extent) are up for the task.

They will help handle the ball. Braden and Trey have no substitutes for them. No other players can begin to do what they do and why it is crucial they are on the court as long as needed or possible. I saw a lot of potential in Burgess before he came to Purdue, but it appears his shin issues are preventing him from playing at this time. I would love to get a couple of minutes out of him.

You would like for Cam and Myles to get minutes since they bring some athleticism on D and the boards as well as spreading the court. Cam should pull out the help on Trey to allow Trey more room to move. TREY has to be aware of the gambling Houston will do and not automatically think about scoring if it appears early he is on single coverage, because I'll bet there is an open player behind the arc if Trey becomes a willing passer as well as sometimes a drop to another in the lane or short corner. Getting the ball inside just inside the FT line will cause a lot of contraction on that D, especially when a team's D is swarming. Not a whole lot different thought than a team scrambling on D and you spread the court and counter with passing.

Myles can be a gamble should Fletch be playing and Myles is needed for ball handling. We saw last game, that it wasn't fatigue so much for him as the pressure in handling the ball. He is MUCH better than last year, but it isn't near a strength and so Purdue is more turnover prone when CJ and/or Giccari are not on the court. However if that pressure is only applied when crossing half court Myles and Fletch together should be enough with Braden.

 

[clankhan]

They will help handle the ball. Braden and Trey have no substitutes for them. No other players can begin to do what they do and why it is crucial they are on the court as long as needed or possible. I saw a lot of potential in Burgess before he came to Purdue, but it appears his shin issues are preventing him from playing at this time. I would love to get a couple of minutes out of him.

You would like for Cam and Myles to get minutes since they bring some athleticism on D and the boards as well as spreading the court. Cam should pull out the help on Trey to allow Trey more room to move. TREY has to be aware of the gambling Houston will do and not automatically think about scoring if it appears early he is on single coverage, because I'll bet there is an open player behind the arc if Trey becomes a willing passer as well as sometimes a drop to another in the lane or short corner. Getting the ball inside just inside the FT line will cause a lot of contraction on that D, especially when a team's D is swarming. Not a whole lot different thought than a team scrambling on D and you spread the court and counter with passing.

Myles can be a gamble should Fletch be playing and Myles is needed for ball handling. We saw last game, that it wasn't fatigue so much for him as the pressure in handling the ball. He is MUCH better than last year, but it isn't near a strength and so Purdue is more turnover prone when CJ and/or Giccari are not on the court. However if that pressure is only applied when crossing half court Myles and Fletch together should be enough with Braden.

Great analysis.

We will need Fletcher to contribute in a … (may I say it) TY Jerome type way. I get that he’s our third best player but if he’s struggling defensively (and his shots aren’t falling) we will need a bit more of Cox/Harris/Colvin. IMHO We’re going to need to defend their guards with a committee.

At this point, is Harris our best on ball defender?

 

[tjreese]

Great analysis.

We will need Fletcher to contribute in a … (may I say it) TY Jerome type way. I get that he’s our third best player but if he’s struggling defensively (and his shots aren’t falling) we will need a bit more of Cox/Harris/Colvin. IMHO We’re going to need to defend their guards with a committee.

At this point, is Harris our best on ball defender?

That is a hard one for me! CJ and Harris are both good, especially on the ball as freshman, but I might give a very slight edge to CJ when on the ball. Both are good at finding the ball in traffic and off the boards. Giccari may get a very slight edge there. CJ has shown the ability that he can get hot and probably needs less space to score than Giccari on the perimeter while both may be similar in driving the ball. Although both appear to hit FTs under pressure, Giccari seems better.

Fletch gets criticised for his individual D because of his physical attributes. However, his team D is pretty good as he helps out and many times in doing so he draws charges. Offensively, he is cerebral in typically playing under control with an ability to not only shoot from the perimeter, but drive the ball IF THE REFS BLOW THE WHISTLE and if not he gets physically man handled and so the whistle is important for Fletch when he drives. His chemistry with Braden is VERY good and ahead of others that have improved in that area over time. Braden is fully aware of where Fletch is...somewhat similar to his father (Dustin) when he played with Austin Parkinson.

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

As a casual observer it appeared to me that Houston came out of the game going fast at both ends at the start. I didn't see the same level of intensity second half. When going hard early it was quite common to find two houston players on the ball where ever it was for a second. Obviously someone is open for a second or two, but in passing the ball 1) Purdue can't get on auto mode to swing the ball without the read that the Purdue player is open for certain. 2) The speed and pressure Houston provided EARLY left open looks "IF" the ball can swing quicker than the players without getting into auto mode swinging the ball as it will get intercepted. 3) Getting the ball inside will slow their perimeter D down, but I look for them to hard hedge Braden with two possibly and swarm Trey with coverage leaving perhaps a skip pass to the weakside. However, team speed is there for Houston and what is open for a skip with most teams may have less time to effectively skip pass than against most team. I think if Purdue can handle the first line of defensive pressure from Houston Purdue can score inside and possibly shift Houston to doing a few digs leaving the 3 ball open as well as quick swings of the ball for Purdue, but not in auto mode.

Houston also has a physical front line and so they are going to put pressure on Trey to defend as well as scoring. Purdue may need a few more minutes from Berg if pressure on Trey to defend puts fouls on him or he gets gassed. Also, Braden will get a LOT of attention from Houston as Houston as well as all teams start with how to defend Braden. As you mentioned, Purdue's CJ and Giccari must be effective in not turning it over, helping Braden against the pressure, score when open, and defend well against Houston. Cam and Myles need the extra possessions off boards, the athleticism on D and being ready with hands and feet to receive the ball and shoot for that second or so they are open...and if a very hard closeout...drive the ball under control and make the appropriate pass or easy shot if there.

Houston scored at will it seemed behind the arc and were also effective with their big inside. Cryler was good as you stated!

Always enjoy the insight, TJ. And agree with it all.

Gonna be interesting to see how we play against a great team like this. Don’t care how we do it, but just win. Paint will have the boys ready to go and hopefully, they’ll be able to execute!

 

[Heads up BOILER]

I think we may see more frequent substitutions of Myles Cox and Gicarri and possibly even Cam to guard their guards. Very aggressive all out when on the court with an emphasis on staying tight and making it harder to freely pass. Since Burgess is injured there is an outside chance of Berg getting more time and even a rare appearance of Waddell in an attempt to keep fresh bodies on the floor keeping intensity up. We need an efficient offensive effort hitting a high percentage of shots.
Going out on a limb to say our defensive effort and success may be what determines the outcome as much as offensive.
Let the crucifixion began LOL.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

I am guessing that we will see a lot of minutes for Heide as I think that the spacing will be important.

I think that the keys will be minimizing turnovers on offense and offensive rebounds on defense.

 

[proudopete]

Pass fakes, shot fakes, get them to jump and hit thr open shooter.