Purdue/Maryland overview:

[nagemj02]

When: Saturday, February 4th

Where: XFINITY Center, College Park, Maryland

Tip-Off: Noon (ET)

TV: ESPN


Head Coaches:

Purdue: Matt Painter (12th season)

Maryland: Mark Turgeon (6th season)


Purdue's Team Stats: http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2016-2017/teamcume.html#TEAM.TEM

Maryland's Team Stats: http://www.umterps.com/ViewContent.dbml?CONTENT_ID=1931364&DB_OEM_ID=29700#TEAM.TEM



Projected Starters:

Purdue:

1/2 #3 Carsen Edwards 6'0 185 (Fr.): averaging 10.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2 APG, 40% FG's (90-227), 72% FT's (34-47), 35% 3PT's (35-101), and 23.8 MPG in 23 GP this season

2/1 #11 P.J. Thompson 5'10 175 (Jr.): averaging 7.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1 SPG, 3.5 APG, 47% FG's (59-125), 71% FT's (15-21), 42% 3PT's (39-92), and 27.6 MPG in 23 GP this season

2 #31 Dakota Mathias 6'4 195 (Jr.): averaging 10.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 49% FG's (81-166), 84% FT's (21-25), 50% 3PT's (51-103), and 30.7 MPG in 23 GP this season

3/4 #12 Vince Edwards 6'8 215 (Jr.): averaging 11.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 47% FG's (96-203), 83% FT's (44-53), 46% 3PT's (34-74), and 27.3 MPG in 23 GP this season

5/4 #50 Caleb "Biggie" Swanigan 6'9 245 (So.): averaging 18.8 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 3.6 TPG, 2.6 FPG, 55% FG's (148-268), 79% FT's (112-141), 50% 3PT's (24-48), and 31.8 MPG in 23 GP this season


Maryland:

1 #0 Anthony Cowan 6'0 165 (Fr.): averaging 10.8 PPG, 4 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 3.7 APG, 2.4 TPG, 46% FG's (67-145), 73% FT's (88-121), 28% 3PT's (15-53), and 30 MPG in 22 GP this season

1/2 #2 Romelo "'Melo" Trimble 6'2 185 (Jr.): averaging 17 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 3.5 APG, 3.1 TPG, 45% FG's (117-259), 82% FT's (97-118), 35% 3PT's (42-119), and 31.5 MPG in 22 GP this season

3/2 #4 Kevin Huerter 6'7 185 (Fr.): averaging 8.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 43% FG's (69-160), 67% FT's (12-18), 39% 3PT's (41-106), and 28.1 MPG in 22 GP this season

4/3 #21 Justin Jackson 6'7 220 (Fr.): averaging 11.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 47% FG's (86-183), 70% FT's (49-70), 46% 3PT's (31-67), and 26.8 MPG in 22 GP this season

5/4 #35 Damonte Dodd 6'11 250 (Sr.): averaging 6.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 3.4 FPG, 55% FG's (36-66), 65% FT's (24-37), no 3PT's attempted, and 19 MPG in 15 GP this season



Projected Reinforcements:

Purdue:

1 #55 Michael "Spike" Albrecht 5'11 180 (RS Sr.): averaging 1.8 PPG, 21% FG's (6-28), 93% FT's (14-15), 16% 3PT's (3-19), and 13.1 MPG in 16 GP this season

2 #14 Ryan Cline 6'5 190 (So.): averaging 6.2 PPG, 43% FG's (39-90), 78% FT's (7-9), 44% 3PT's (32-73), and 20.2 MPG in 19 GP this season

5 #44 Isaac Haas 7'2 280 (Jr.): averaging 13.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1 BPG, 2.4 TPG, 61% FG's (104-171), 72% FT's (97-135), no 3PT's attempted, and 20.9 MPG in 23 GP this season


Maryland:

1/2 #1 Jaylen Brantley 5'11 170 (Jr.): averaging 5.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 37% FG's (40-107), 57% FT's (17-30), 35% 3PT's (20-57), and 16.8 MPG in 22 GP this season

2 #11 Jared Nickens 6'6 195 (Jr.): averaging 3.3 PPG, 31% FG's (22-70), 89% FT's (8-9), 38% 3PT's (21-55), and 11.1 MPG in 22 GP this season

4/3 #10 L.G. Gill 6'7 215 (RS Sr.) (graduate transfer from Duquesne): averaging 3.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 40% FG's (23-58), 63% FT's (30-48), 40% 3PT's (2-5), and 13.6 MPG in 22 GP this season

5/4 #13 Ivan Bender 6'9 225 (So.): averaging 4.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 67% FG's (36-54), 60% FT's (21-35), no 3PT's attempted, and 14.3 MPG in 21 GP this season

5 #15 Michal Cekovsky 7'0 240 (Jr.): averaging 7.9 PPG, 3 RPG, 63% FG's (42-67), 50% FT's (11-22), no 3PT's attempted, and 14.4 MPG in 12 GP this season



Who Might Play:

Purdue:

4 #24 Grady Eifert 6'7 220 (So.): averaging 1.3 PPG, 86% FG's (6-7), 60% FT's (3-5), no 3PT's attempted, and 3.3 MPG in 12 GP this season


Maryland:

2/3 #5 Dion Wiley 6'4 205 (RS So.) (redshirted last season due to injury): averaging 4.3 PPG, 34% FG's (18-53), 71% FT's (10-14), 40% 3PT's (14-35), and 12.5 MPG in 14 GP this season

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

awww ya. finally! now i gotta figure out where I'm gonna park...

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Do they still get away with using an Under Armour ball...which I think gives them an unfair advantage...kind of like Whisky screwing with their rims.

 

[Boiler Buck]

Look for a Purdue win....no slippage here.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

Do they still get away with using an Under Armour ball...which I think gives them an unfair advantage...kind of like Whisky screwing with their rims.

as far as I know, yes. I think they signed a 10 year deal a couple of years ago.

 

[Dryfly88]

I think MD is doubling the post already!!

 

[krazyjvilled]

win this one, and I feel it offsets the nebraska loss... however, I do not see us winning it.. I see Maryland making everything, us keeping it decently close, until the end when we almost take the lead but again lose by a few points

hope I'm wrong

 

[SqueakyClean]

I felt back in September that this was the second most important game of the season (with the Wisconsin game being the first). I think that is pretty well still true. If we want to have any aspirations of winning the Big Ten this year, this is a must win. Even if we don't win the Big Ten, this would be an important win because it will help with seeds at the BTT. If we end up tying for 3rd or 4th (etc.), having the best record against Wisconsin and Maryland (the two teams that are the most likely to finish at the top of the Big Ten), will be a good tie-breaker.

 

[nagemj02]

As far as Purdue's man-to-man defensive matchups among the projected starters, who would you like to see each player guarding?

I want to see CE guarding Cowan (Cowan is as quick or maybe quicker than CE), Thompson on Trimble (it's tough, but that's probably the best matchup in man-to-man of the starters), Mathias on Huerter, VE on Jackson, and Swanigan on Dodd.

 

[Roeder]

I do like how the game is setting up. Maryland is ranked higher and has a 2 game lead. Seems like it will be easier for Purdue to come out focused and with a chip on their shoulder with something to prove. Purdue has slipped up, but this is a statement game. I'm excited!

Side note, our FT shooting has been amazing of late. Nice to see Carsen up over 70℅.

 

[boombaby14]

Just doing a little spying on the enemy and this is what one of the maryland posters said about the Purdue squad.

Their guards don't have a lot of lateral quickness. Carsen Edwards is a smaller guard (but thicker than Cowan...who isn't?), but he's nowhere near as quick as Cowan (or Brantley). He'd be a better match up on Melo from a size and strength perspective than against Cowan. Dakota Mathias is a liability on defense, and he's been that way in every game I've seen him play. Spike's been coming in, but he's a mix in size of C. Edwards and skill in Mathias. That is, he's a small shooter with limited defensive skills. Do they put Mathias or Albrecht on Huerter? PJ Thompson is their other starting guard. At 5-10, he's probably going to cover Melo. If not, they'll be forced to have a freshman covering Melo. Those are terrible match ups for Painter across the board.

Vince Edwards is listed as a forward, but at 6-8 he's really a big 2. I think Painter will put him on Jackson, but that still leaves Cowan and Melo being guarded by inferior defensive players. My guess is Painter comes out with C. Edwards, Mathias, Thompson, V. Edwards, and Swannigan. Their 3 guards do not match up well in size, athleticism, and defensive ability to Cowan, Melo, and Huerter.

Conversely, our guards match up really well on defense. Huerter will cover Mathias, and Cowan and Melo will swap against C. Edwards and Thompson. Just don't leave them open from 3

I'd say this guy has not watched much Purdue basketball. They are very confident they are going to beat us by 10+ hopefully we shut this ACC team up. ha

 

[nagemj02]

Just doing a little spying on the enemy and this is what one of the maryland posters said about the Purdue squad.

Their guards don't have a lot of lateral quickness. Carsen Edwards is a smaller guard (but thicker than Cowan...who isn't?), but he's nowhere near as quick as Cowan (or Brantley). He'd be a better match up on Melo from a size and strength perspective than against Cowan. Dakota Mathias is a liability on defense, and he's been that way in every game I've seen him play. Spike's been coming in, but he's a mix in size of C. Edwards and skill in Mathias. That is, he's a small shooter with limited defensive skills. Do they put Mathias or Albrecht on Huerter? PJ Thompson is their other starting guard. At 5-10, he's probably going to cover Melo. If not, they'll be forced to have a freshman covering Melo. Those are terrible match ups for Painter across the board.

Vince Edwards is listed as a forward, but at 6-8 he's really a big 2. I think Painter will put him on Jackson, but that still leaves Cowan and Melo being guarded by inferior defensive players. My guess is Painter comes out with C. Edwards, Mathias, Thompson, V. Edwards, and Swannigan. Their 3 guards do not match up well in size, athleticism, and defensive ability to Cowan, Melo, and Huerter.

Conversely, our guards match up really well on defense. Huerter will cover Mathias, and Cowan and Melo will swap against C. Edwards and Thompson. Just don't leave them open from 3

I'd say this guy has not watched much Purdue basketball. They are very confident they are going to beat us by 10+ hopefully we shut this ACC team up. ha

He's right about their guards being tough matchups for Purdue defensively in man-to-man but I disagree about Cowan being so much quicker than CE and also VE is not a big 2. He would have to be able to guard 2's in order to be a big 2. They also forgot to note that Swanigan, Haas, and VE are very tough matchups for Dodd, Gill, Bender, and Cekovsky (assuming Maryland plays mostly man-to-man D).

 

[SqueakyClean]

I read that thread over on the Maryland 24/7 site. While they had some of the standard fan chest thumping, I think that the one guy over there is correct in saying that the best way to beat us to let Swanigan / Haas get their points (it would be difficult to stop that from happening anyway) and just concentrate on making sure that the three point shooters never get open. Easier said than done, obviously, but I tend to agree that strategy would likely be better than trying to double the post.

 

[nagemj02]

I read that thread over on the Maryland 24/7 site. While they had some of the standard fan chest thumping, I think that the one guy over there is correct in saying that the best way to beat us to let Swanigan / Haas get their points (it would be difficult to stop that from happening anyway) and just concentrate on making sure that the three point shooters never get open. Easier said than done, obviously, but I tend to agree that strategy would likely be better than trying to double the post.

If Purdue's hitting on all cylinders, Maryland might have to scrap that gameplan.

 

[Roeder]

Just doing a little spying on the enemy and this is what one of the maryland posters said about the Purdue squad.

Their guards don't have a lot of lateral quickness. Carsen Edwards is a smaller guard (but thicker than Cowan...who isn't?), but he's nowhere near as quick as Cowan (or Brantley). He'd be a better match up on Melo from a size and strength perspective than against Cowan. Dakota Mathias is a liability on defense, and he's been that way in every game I've seen him play. Spike's been coming in, but he's a mix in size of C. Edwards and skill in Mathias. That is, he's a small shooter with limited defensive skills. Do they put Mathias or Albrecht on Huerter? PJ Thompson is their other starting guard. At 5-10, he's probably going to cover Melo. If not, they'll be forced to have a freshman covering Melo. Those are terrible match ups for Painter across the board.

Vince Edwards is listed as a forward, but at 6-8 he's really a big 2. I think Painter will put him on Jackson, but that still leaves Cowan and Melo being guarded by inferior defensive players. My guess is Painter comes out with C. Edwards, Mathias, Thompson, V. Edwards, and Swannigan. Their 3 guards do not match up well in size, athleticism, and defensive ability to Cowan, Melo, and Huerter.

Conversely, our guards match up really well on defense. Huerter will cover Mathias, and Cowan and Melo will swap against C. Edwards and Thompson. Just don't leave them open from 3

I'd say this guy has not watched much Purdue basketball. They are very confident they are going to beat us by 10+ hopefully we shut this ACC team up. ha

Mathias off the ball D has been solid. I focused on him and Vic Law during most of Purdue's defensive possessions and Dakota had more to do with Law getting one point than him simply having an off night. Law could not get open.

Mathias will be fine on Heuter. Trimble is who worries me the most. Try to keep him out of the lane at all costs. Let him shoot from deep and if he beats us from there oh well.....

 

[nagemj02]

Mathias off the ball D has been solid. I focused on him and Vic Law during most of Purdue's defensive possessions and Dakota had more to with Law getting one point than him simply having an off night. Law could not get open.

Mathias will be fine on Heuter. Trimble is who worries me the most. Try to keep him out of the lane at all costs. Let him shoot from deep and if he beats us from there oh well.....

Justin Jackson (kind of confusing because North Carolina has a junior named Justin Jackson that's about the same size and position type as Maryland's freshman Justin Jackson) has also been playing very well lately for Maryland.

 

[TC4THREE]

I read that thread over on the Maryland 24/7 site. While they had some of the standard fan chest thumping, I think that the one guy over there is correct in saying that the best way to beat us to let Swanigan / Haas get their points (it would be difficult to stop that from happening anyway) and just concentrate on making sure that the three point shooters never get open. Easier said than done, obviously, but I tend to agree that strategy would likely be better than trying to double the post.

That might be the best way for Maryland to play us because they have the people inside that can contest our post game a little more than others.

 

[MJ-79Boiler]

Maryland's guards are a classic nightmare match-up for us. I think we have to shoot 55% to win this one. Maryland's going to get a LOT of rim shots and freethrows ! If Matt's got any new ideas for preventing dribble penetration, this is the game to try them !

 

[Boiler_HD]

They do not seem to have much respect for us. I am usually hard on players like PJ because I believe he is a defensive liability, but I have faith in our guards to provide decent enough defense to pull this game out. We have to avoid foul trouble and make sure to limit turnovers. But in the end, make their guards take contested jumpshots and work on help d.

I believe we pull this out by a margin of 8 points or so.

Boiler Up my Friends!

 

[tjreese]

awww ya. finally! now i gotta figure out where I'm gonna park...

Got home from the game last night and on the road by 6am this morning
I'm typing on a phone in Frederick, MD. If I thought I could get a good ticket I might go, but already gave notice to my daughter that from 12 to 2 it is Boiler time. Her first baby...10 days old, but she knows I like my Purdue basketball. oh, btw brought my sig

 

[tjreese]

I think MD is doubling the post already!!

Hopefully if that happens and it was very effective last night for the first 4 or 5 possessions that the post is STRONG with the ball and returns it out to the easiest pass and that the perimeter cheats a little to. Ball side so that all four are in play some ....rather than one 180 degrees weak side requiring too difficult pass since the double many times comes from there when effective . Course if able to look opposite and strong with the ball...that person gets a great look.

Their two guards shoot as much as the other three players and have no idea if stats are similar in home and away. Is there a reason to be overly concerned with the 3 line? Hope purdue establishes inside game so that long bounces don't lead to scores at the rim. I would much rather MD play against a set D for purdue. Just stats...play a little soft and contain cowen..extend a little on melo.

 

[SunnyFL24]

win this one, and I feel it offsets the nebraska loss... however, I do not see us winning it.. I see Maryland making everything, us keeping it decently close, until the end when we almost take the lead but again lose by a few points

hope I'm wrong

Nope! we will win this game!!!75-70..............

 

[chiboiler7]

Nope! we will win this game!!!75-70..............

I agree.

Purdue doesn't have any issues playing up to a talented opponents level, it's the less talented teams we struggle against. Chock it up to lack of focus, or being in your early 20's but it happens unfortunately. Biggie and the squad will be pumped up to go face a talented conference opponent on ESPN. And with MD's weak schedule, I think we go in and clean house.

 

[SunnyFL24]

I agree.

Purdue doesn't have any issues playing up to a talented opponents level, it's the less talented teams we struggle against. Chock it up to lack of focus, or being in your early 20's but it happens unfortunately. Biggie and the squad will be pumped up to go face a talented conference opponent on ESPN. And with MD's weak schedule, I think we go in and clean house.

Plus MD is so overdue to get beat........just like NW was last night.

 

[nagemj02]

I agree.

Purdue doesn't have any issues playing up to a talented opponents level, it's the less talented teams we struggle against. Chock it up to lack of focus, or being in your early 20's but it happens unfortunately. Biggie and the squad will be pumped up to go face a talented conference opponent on ESPN. And with MD's weak schedule, I think we go in and clean house.

I'm not sure if that's the case. If you look at it from the other side, it could be a case of Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska being very pumped up to play a ranked Purdue team. Then, those teams are able to exploit weaknesses in Purdue's man-to-man (making the games closer than they might be had Purdue done something "crazy" like have other halfcourt defensive looks, or even something "crazier" like full-court pressure on occasion), and pulling it out close wins when Purdue makes predictable passes and moves in the closing possessions (exception being Cline's only two missed FT's of the season in the closing minute or two of the game at Iowa).

I think it has as more to do with the opponents playing their best (or one of their best) games than it does Purdue "not being up" for those games, up to this point.

 

[MJ-79Boiler]

Not sure it has anything to do with the level of competition, as much as it is directly related to how productive our opponents can be with dribble penetration. (Wisconsin, Michigan State, NW and Penn State were primarily taking jump shots versus drive.) Maryland will get to the rim . .a LOT ! Those that got to the rim a LOT caused us major problems (Nova, ND, Minn, NE, Louisville, Iowa)

Based on other big ten performances, I expect them to get at least 45 easy points (layups, dunks and freethrows) If true, there is only one way to overcome that level of points being spotted in a game - 55% shooting, with a lot of 3s.

 

[Boiler Buck]

Justin Jackson (kind of confusing because North Carolina has a junior named Justin Jackson that's about the same size and position type as Maryland's freshman Justin Jackson) has also been playing very well lately for Maryland.

My Dad who watches every B1G game he can says Justin Jackson can give teams fits and has been hard to handle for teams lately. Hopefully, VE (I assume) can handle him.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

Got home from the game last night and on the road by 6am this morning
I'm typing on a phone in Frederick, MD. If I thought I could get a good ticket I might go, but already gave notice to my daughter that from 12 to 2 it is Boiler time. Her first baby...10 days old, but she knows I like my Purdue basketball. oh, btw brought my sig

congrats on the grandbaby and boiler up! Get that kid a purdue shirt and beer helmet asap.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

My Dad who watches every B1G game he can says Justin Jackson can give teams fits and has been hard to handle for teams lately. Hopefully, VE (I assume) can handle him.

I expect Maryland's guards to really look for the drive/penetration....been doing that most of the season. I think the Boilers can hurt them on the other end with a patient game....going to have to knock down the good looks for sure, and I don''t think Purdue can get away with another turnover game in double figures.

This also could be one game where we see foul trouble either way become a factor. If Isaac Haas is ready to play 25 minutes, that will help. I don't really have a good feel for how this will end up, but the Boilers haven't won a conference road game against one of the "top" teams in quite a while. Maybe the early starting time will help.....feel more like a practice? I'm grasping at straws here, I know.

 

[SIBoiler2]

Got home from the game last night and on the road by 6am this morning
I'm typing on a phone in Frederick, MD. If I thought I could get a good ticket I might go, but already gave notice to my daughter that from 12 to 2 it is Boiler time. Her first baby...10 days old, but she knows I like my Purdue basketball. oh, btw brought my sig

Congrats on the new grandkid!!! I've got 11 of them. It's nice to see them and sometimes even nicer when you send them back home!!!

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

congrats on the grandbaby and boiler up! Get that kid a purdue shirt and beer helmet asap.

Congratulations on the new grandchild......

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

shot selection and turnovers...Other than that I think our average game is better than their average game and I think our ceiling is higher. But if we turn the ball over like nitwits that goes out the window pretty quickly.

 

[tjreese]

congrats on the grandbaby and boiler up! Get that kid a purdue shirt and beer helmet asap.

Thank you. A little biased, but a very pretty baby and normally just see babies as babies. I guess a lot of it is all her hair.

 

[tjreese]

Congrats on the new grandkid!!! I've got 11 of them. It's nice to see them and sometimes even nicer when you send them back home!!!

I'm at two and they are not quite old enough to stay by themselves yet...

 

[tjreese]

I expect Maryland's guards to really look for the drive/penetration....been doing that most of the season. I think the Boilers can hurt them on the other end with a patient game....going to have to knock down the good looks for sure, and I don''t think Purdue can get away with another turnover game in double figures.

This also could be one game where we see foul trouble either way become a factor. If Isaac Haas is ready to play 25 minutes, that will help. I don't really have a good feel for how this will end up, but the Boilers haven't won a conference road game against one of the "top" teams in quite a while. Maybe the early starting time will help.....feel more like a practice? I'm grasping at straws here, I know.

I haven't watched them for any duration, but would prefer they prove a killer other than Melo from the outside before Purdue extends the D. Be mature and make their bigs play D, get in the bonus early, make the easy play and push the ball when an advantage...perhaps on long defensive boards when the miss the three ball. Can't get on auto pilot with the passing as post feeds out and passes to the wings when jumped are scores at the other end. Break even on turnovers, win the transition for easy baskets and get into bonus much earlier than Maryland and let the chips fall. If Purdue is not ice cold, I like Purdue's chance to win at a place many do not

 

[Dryfly88]

Picking the biggest thing for me in this game: Turnovers. Simply can't have empty possessions. Need to stay in single digits and I honestly don't have much faith we can do that. I'm sure we are going to see some very aggressive doubling of the post and force us to handle it. I wish I was more optimistic about this one, but I'm really not.

 

[krazyjvilled]

this is another perfect game to play some zone, to keep melo and the other guards out of the paint.. If we let melo drive to the basket, we will lose, simple as that.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

this is another perfect game to play some zone, to keep melo and the other guards out of the paint.. If we let melo drive to the basket, we will lose, simple as that.

 

[tjreese]

Video is over my head, but there is a better chance that Purdue backs off the D to prevent the drive and give up the outside shot like a zone would do anyway. All a function of what approach Matt takes...and he may try to pick Melo up high enough that he can't get to the screen as easy. My bigger fear is Melo getting into the paint and the secondary rotation doesn't happen giving up put backs more than Melo scoring. I'm of the opinion and an uniformed one at that based on relevant know ledge of Melo and pj that I would back off if Melo is able to drive the ball. Purdue's shell defense needs to be focused

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

Video is over my head, but there is a better chance that Purdue backs off the D to prevent the drive and give up the outside shot like a zone would do anyway. All a function of what approach Matt takes...and he may try to pick Melo up high enough that he can't get to the screen as easy. My bigger fear is Melo getting into the paint and the secondary rotation doesn't happen giving up put backs more than Melo scoring. I'm of the opinion and an uniformed one at that based on relevant know ledge of Melo and pj that I would back off if Melo is able to drive the ball. Purdue's shell defense needs to be focused

Jesus taking the wheel for the "we need a zone" discussion sure to follow.