Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight in Milwaukee, it's the penultimate game of the 2022 NCAA Tournament's second round as the 6-seed Texas Longhorns take on the 3-seed Purdue Boilermakers. Tip is scheduled for approximately 8:40 pm (Eastern) with television coverage on TNT. The winner moves on to the Regional in Philadelphia on Friday evening to face the surprising 15-seed St. Peters, who has taken out Kentucky and Murray State.
This is the fourth meeting between the two schools in the NCAA Tournament with Texas winning in '90 and '03 and Purdue prevailing in '99.
On the season, Texas has put up an average of 68.7 points per game, putting them 240th in the nation in scoring offense on the year. The Longhorns are pulling down an average of 33.4 rebounds per game while dishing out an average of 13.2 assists per contest. Texas is giving up an average of 60 points per game this season, leaving them 6th in the nation in scoring defense. Timmy Allen leads the team with 12.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. Andrew Jones (11.1 points) is one of two other players scoring in double figures. Marcus Carr (11 points), Tre Mitchell, Courtney Ramey, Dylan Disu, Christian Bishop, Jase Febres, Brock Cunningham and Devin Askew are other rotation pieces for the Longhorns. Texas is shooting 44.3% from the field as a team this season. The Longhorns are knocking down 6.5 three-pointers a night while sinking 32.9% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Texas has been stellar at the charity stripe as they are cashing in 75% of their attempts this season.
With Texas being one of the better defensive teams in the tournament, expect them to put a lot of pressure on Purdue's perimeter. One of the keys to this game will be how effectively Purdue can execute and maintain composure against that type of length and pressure. It's been one of their weaknesses, and they'll have to be better today, as turnovers will lead to scoring opportunities for Texas. On the other hand, the Boilers size inside will be a big challenge for the Longhorns. Look for Purdue to continue to try and work the offense and establish a low-pot presence with Zach Edey and Trevion Williams. Expect Texas to focus on Jaden Ivey on the perimeter and also try to take Sasha Stefanovic out of the game as well, and that should open up some opportunities for Purdue (with Mason Gillis and Eric Hunter, Jr.) IF the Boilers can play with poise and avoid the careless turnovers. And that along with who can establish control on the glass will likely be the determining factor for the outcome of this game.
Two contrasting styles with two well-coached teams, but the tougher team should prevail today.....the team that plays with more poise and discipline down the stretch. Texas has the type of team that has given Purdue teams fits over the years, but if the Boilers are going to have the type of success they're after, this is exactly the type of team they have to beat - over come that hurdle. If they can do it, they'll take another big step toward the ultimate goal. They have the ability and the opportunity - can they play well enough to emerge victorious? We shall see in a few hours.
Boiler up, my friends.
This is the fourth meeting between the two schools in the NCAA Tournament with Texas winning in '90 and '03 and Purdue prevailing in '99.
On the season, Texas has put up an average of 68.7 points per game, putting them 240th in the nation in scoring offense on the year. The Longhorns are pulling down an average of 33.4 rebounds per game while dishing out an average of 13.2 assists per contest. Texas is giving up an average of 60 points per game this season, leaving them 6th in the nation in scoring defense. Timmy Allen leads the team with 12.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. Andrew Jones (11.1 points) is one of two other players scoring in double figures. Marcus Carr (11 points), Tre Mitchell, Courtney Ramey, Dylan Disu, Christian Bishop, Jase Febres, Brock Cunningham and Devin Askew are other rotation pieces for the Longhorns. Texas is shooting 44.3% from the field as a team this season. The Longhorns are knocking down 6.5 three-pointers a night while sinking 32.9% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Texas has been stellar at the charity stripe as they are cashing in 75% of their attempts this season.
With Texas being one of the better defensive teams in the tournament, expect them to put a lot of pressure on Purdue's perimeter. One of the keys to this game will be how effectively Purdue can execute and maintain composure against that type of length and pressure. It's been one of their weaknesses, and they'll have to be better today, as turnovers will lead to scoring opportunities for Texas. On the other hand, the Boilers size inside will be a big challenge for the Longhorns. Look for Purdue to continue to try and work the offense and establish a low-pot presence with Zach Edey and Trevion Williams. Expect Texas to focus on Jaden Ivey on the perimeter and also try to take Sasha Stefanovic out of the game as well, and that should open up some opportunities for Purdue (with Mason Gillis and Eric Hunter, Jr.) IF the Boilers can play with poise and avoid the careless turnovers. And that along with who can establish control on the glass will likely be the determining factor for the outcome of this game.
Two contrasting styles with two well-coached teams, but the tougher team should prevail today.....the team that plays with more poise and discipline down the stretch. Texas has the type of team that has given Purdue teams fits over the years, but if the Boilers are going to have the type of success they're after, this is exactly the type of team they have to beat - over come that hurdle. If they can do it, they'll take another big step toward the ultimate goal. They have the ability and the opportunity - can they play well enough to emerge victorious? We shall see in a few hours.
Boiler up, my friends.
