Welcome to the video room. Creative name, but we'll work on that later. For now, I've spliced some video together of how Purdue performed against the press against Milwaukee in the first half.
If you're a Purdue fan, you're well aware of Purdue's frailty against a solid press. There's a thousand explanations and cures and curses directed towards Purdue's offense before it even gets to mid court. Coach Painter expected to see the press even more this year because he's got two true freshman in the back court.
We're now a game into the season against a Milwaukee team that loves to pressure the ball. So how did the two freshman do and Purdue as a whole? (They were missing back up guard David Jenkins Jr. due to an eye injury that might keep him out against Austin Peay as well.)
Well, the answer might surprise you. Here's some video of Purdue's success against the press.
Here's Braden Smith taking the ball up the court for one of the first time Lundy's defense can set themselves. You can see Smith getting the early pressure and the lurking trap at half court. It's clear what Lundy wants to happen - let Smith bring the ball near mid court, trap him, and force Purdue into an early turnover.
Instead Smith stays near the middle of the court and once the trapper commits, he hits the jets and takes off right. The trap isn't just not effective and blown by, Smith's aggression leaves Purdue with a 4 on 3. The ball swings around the perimeter to an open Loyer in the corner. Smith doesn't just break the press, he takes advantage of it. Strong start for the freshman.
Here Milwaukee seems caught between setting up the press and getting back on defense. The ball moves quickly here. From one side of the court to the other then to a streaking Morton who finds Edey already sealing off his man. That's a full team worth of work and aggressiveness to be in the right place and make a defense pay for getting stuck between aggressive and no man's land.
This press doesn't lead to points or disaster. That's a win. Smith once again shows great burst, a controlled dribble, and no hesitation. If he faulters at mid court, the trap would have came and at best, more time off the shot clock is wasted. These boring breaks of the press are almost as important as the ones where Purdue can turn presses into points.
Nothing individual happens here, just sound awareness and good coaching. With Smith being face guarded, not one, but two Boilers come for the ball. The more people move towards the ball for Purdue the better in this situation. It creates an easy break of the press.
This isn't great defense - Milwaukee just can't really get Smith into any trouble with angles even though he does dribble to the side of the court and leaves his feet, but his speed and aggressiveness help create the lay up here. He sees where the trap is and Morton is in a open space where Smith is confident he can deliver him the ball. Speed is so hard to trap, and Loyer and Smith do a good job setting this play early with the back and forth passing. Smith is already comfortable threatening his speed and seeing the court as he does.
There were a few more clips from the first half, but they're boring. Milwaukee wasn't committing to the trap for most the rest of the half. That's what happens when Purdue attacks the press. That's what a team can do with an electric point guard, and a team around them aware of the situation and looking for the ball. Purdue didn't just break the press - they turned the press into easy points.
There will be tougher presses and traps with better athletes the rest of the season, but after Purdue's long history of struggling with the press, these New Age Boilers(I will make this nickname happen) are providing a spark of hope that the usual nightmare is over.
If you're a Purdue fan, you're well aware of Purdue's frailty against a solid press. There's a thousand explanations and cures and curses directed towards Purdue's offense before it even gets to mid court. Coach Painter expected to see the press even more this year because he's got two true freshman in the back court.
We're now a game into the season against a Milwaukee team that loves to pressure the ball. So how did the two freshman do and Purdue as a whole? (They were missing back up guard David Jenkins Jr. due to an eye injury that might keep him out against Austin Peay as well.)
Well, the answer might surprise you. Here's some video of Purdue's success against the press.
Here's Braden Smith taking the ball up the court for one of the first time Lundy's defense can set themselves. You can see Smith getting the early pressure and the lurking trap at half court. It's clear what Lundy wants to happen - let Smith bring the ball near mid court, trap him, and force Purdue into an early turnover.
Instead Smith stays near the middle of the court and once the trapper commits, he hits the jets and takes off right. The trap isn't just not effective and blown by, Smith's aggression leaves Purdue with a 4 on 3. The ball swings around the perimeter to an open Loyer in the corner. Smith doesn't just break the press, he takes advantage of it. Strong start for the freshman.
Here Milwaukee seems caught between setting up the press and getting back on defense. The ball moves quickly here. From one side of the court to the other then to a streaking Morton who finds Edey already sealing off his man. That's a full team worth of work and aggressiveness to be in the right place and make a defense pay for getting stuck between aggressive and no man's land.
This press doesn't lead to points or disaster. That's a win. Smith once again shows great burst, a controlled dribble, and no hesitation. If he faulters at mid court, the trap would have came and at best, more time off the shot clock is wasted. These boring breaks of the press are almost as important as the ones where Purdue can turn presses into points.
Nothing individual happens here, just sound awareness and good coaching. With Smith being face guarded, not one, but two Boilers come for the ball. The more people move towards the ball for Purdue the better in this situation. It creates an easy break of the press.
This isn't great defense - Milwaukee just can't really get Smith into any trouble with angles even though he does dribble to the side of the court and leaves his feet, but his speed and aggressiveness help create the lay up here. He sees where the trap is and Morton is in a open space where Smith is confident he can deliver him the ball. Speed is so hard to trap, and Loyer and Smith do a good job setting this play early with the back and forth passing. Smith is already comfortable threatening his speed and seeing the court as he does.
There were a few more clips from the first half, but they're boring. Milwaukee wasn't committing to the trap for most the rest of the half. That's what happens when Purdue attacks the press. That's what a team can do with an electric point guard, and a team around them aware of the situation and looking for the ball. Purdue didn't just break the press - they turned the press into easy points.
There will be tougher presses and traps with better athletes the rest of the season, but after Purdue's long history of struggling with the press, these New Age Boilers(I will make this nickname happen) are providing a spark of hope that the usual nightmare is over.
