What needs to happen for Purdue to beat Tennessee tomorrow?

[clankhan]

Before diving in, I want to extend my apologies to some of the folks here. Having been a part of this since 2006, I've grown accustomed to a certain result come March over the years. However, this tournament feels distinctly different from the past 15+ years, with the exception of perhaps 2019.

Moving on, what strategies do we need to employ to overcome Tennessee? Observing their aggressive ball pressure, I'm hopeful that Smith is fully recovered and prepared for the challenge. It's moments like these when I wish we still had Ivey, Kramer or Etwaun still on our team…

 

[Boiler Buck]

Same formula....
Limit TOs
Hit foul shots
Play the best D we can, given the personnel we have.
Edey could have a monster game if he keeps the ball high away from pesky defenders.

 

[BBG]

Same formula....
Limit TOs
Hit foul shots
Play the best D we can, given the personnel we have.
Edey could have a monster game if he keeps the ball high away from pesky defenders.

Yep this is it. Just like the Zags, UT is not the same team we played before and are much better. But again so are we. I'd also add keep up with the hot 3 point shooting.

I also expect the arena to be mostly Purdue fans which has it's own set of advantages.

 

[typeviic]

Limit TO's
Make FT's
Shoot the 3-ball like you have been all year.

 

[rjmpu82]

Agree with all of the above. Limit TOs. Make FTS and shoot well. I think we win but TN is the team in our bracket that I fear them most. Should be a war. Officiating will be important. The officials in the TN Creighton game really let them play which favored TN.

 

[Gemini95]

Just show up

 

[clankhan]

While watching the Tenn/Creighton game, I grew increasingly concerned about Ziegler. To establish dominance, we should initiate with a couple of assertive screens early on.

Regarding our matchup, it's essential to assign our top defender to Knecht, possibly a combination of Colvin, Heide, or Morton?.

I'm cautiously optimistic about this matchup. There's a distinct feeling that this year is different.

 

[DrEss]

Keep them off the offensive glass. That is where their bigs get their points.

 

[BBG]

Just show up

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[TopSecretBoiler]

First game was a total foul fest rock fight. They can't match up and will foul us all game. We shot 48 free throws. I expect the same.

 

[clankhan]

Yep this is it. Just like the Zags, UT is not the same team we played before and are much better. But again so are we. I'd also add keep up with the hot 3 point shooting.

I also expect the arena to be mostly Purdue fans which has it's own set of advantages

fingers crossed that’s the case, vol fans travel pretty well.

Detroit is maybe 3 hours closer to west Lafayette than is Knoxville … hope we pack the stands!

 

[KentuckyBoiler]

We have to play better perimeter defense against the 3.
However, if we play our game, we do this.

 

[clankhan]

We have to play better perimeter defense against the 3.
However, if we play our game, we do this.

Agreed - Who guards Knecht?

 

[TMA62]

".....I also expect the arena to be mostly Purdue fans which has it's own set of advantages."

I think that will be the "6th man" for Purdue especially in the second half based on the games in the last 3 rounds.

That 6th Man is a huge intangible that can provide the boost to victory.

 

[KentuckyBoiler]

Agreed - Who guards Knecht?

I say we are probably going to rotate players against him. He is going to get his points. We just have to make sure he does not explode for a 35-40 point game.

 

[pushal]

Agreed - Who guards Knecht?

Ethan Morton. … perhaps, knecht is tall 6’6. Lance Jones is the more physical starter

 

[Boiler Buck]

First game was a total foul fest rock fight. They can't match up and will foul us all game. We shot 48 free throws. I expect the same.

I just hope the refs CALL them.....as you say you know TN going to foul, and foul alot. Not just on Edey either, their perimeter guys foul a ton. Letting them do that would be a big problem, so hope they call the game as is.

 

[typeviic]

First game was a total foul fest rock fight. They can't match up and will foul us all game. We shot 48 free throws. I expect the same.

"They can't match up and will foul us all game."
True, but will the same refs from the TN/Creighton game (where they mysteriously swallowed their whistles) be the refs for our game vs TN?

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Limit turnovers.
Rebound.

 

[DrEss]

Limit turnovers.
Rebound.

only -3.5 Chi. Surprised at that number?

 

[Dryfly88]

I'm surprised we are -3.5 I was thinking -1 or -2

They are going to foul, foul, foul. How we and the refs react will be the game. Limit TO's off of that aggression and we're solid.

 

[Boiler Buck]

"They can't match up and will foul us all game."
True, but will the same refs from the TN/Creighton game (where they mysteriously swallowed their whistles) be the refs for our game vs TN?

That is exactly it. At least when Loyer gets fouled he is on the floor....kinda forcing a call by timid refs. Z will foul Smith alot. TN also fouls going for rebounds. Refs got to call it. Sometimes they swallow their whistles. That plays right into TN's hands as their opponents have learned.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

Before diving in, I want to extend my apologies to some of the folks here. Having been a part of this since 2006, I've grown accustomed to a certain result come March over the years. However, this tournament feels distinctly different from the past 15+ years, with the exception of perhaps 2019.

Moving on, what strategies do we need to employ to overcome Tennessee? Observing their aggressive ball pressure, I'm hopeful that Smith is fully recovered and prepared for the challenge. It's moments like these when I wish we still had Ivey, Kramer or Etwaun still on our team…

I was rooting for Creighton. Tennessee is the tougher match-up.

Tennessee will try to take Purdue out of its flow. I see two keys against them: limit turnovers and come ready for war. Tennessee will play hard and they will play physically, but outside of Knecht they can’t match Purdue’s offensive skill. If Purdue is completely dialed in, I like their chances.

 

[purduedavie]

If Purdue wins duck for cover, who knows what gets launched on the court. Should be a physical game, if people a few weeks back hated the Illinois game thinking they tried to manhandle Zach just wait. I think Purdue is better, will they win, please one time in my life lol.

 

[clankhan]

We have to play better perimeter defense against the 3.
However, if we play our game, we do this.

If Purdue wins duck for cover, who knows what gets launched on the court. Should be a physical game, if people a few weeks back hated the Illinois game thinking they tried to manhandle Zach just wait. I think Purdue is better, will they win, please one time in my life lol.

I think we need to put Jones on Ziegler… or someone with length to throw him off. Maybe a couple hard screens to get him second guessing himself

 

[bonefish1]

Jones on Knecht to start. See how he does. Rotate in Heide and…gulp…Morton if Kenct gets hot.
Feed Edey. Get there bigs frustrated.

I think TKR will be really important. If they focus on ZE, TKR needs to crash the glass hard, play garbage man and get those 50/50 balls.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

Jones on Knecht to start. See how he does. Rotate in Heide and…gulp…Morton if Kenct gets hot.
Feed Edey. Get there bigs frustrated.

I think TKR will be really important. If they focus on ZE, TKR needs to crash the glass hard, play garbage man and get those 50/50 balls.

I felt like Heide was quietly very impactful in yesterday’s game and will be the best matchup against Knecht tomorrow. I agree with starting Jones on him.

 

[OneWayStreet]

Expect the most ball pressure on the guards that we've seen all year. Turnovers concern me. We need to hit the bunnies when we get them with our size advantage and get into our offense.

 

[typeviic]

I'm surprised we are -3.5 I was thinking -1 or -2

They are going to foul, foul, foul. How we and the refs react will be the game. Limit TO's off of that aggression and we're solid.

"They are going to foul, foul, foul."
So,....we are going to play another version of Wisc/Rutgers/N'western.

 

[tjreese]

Agreed - Who guards Knecht?

Cam will get minutes...maybe a lot? Depends possibly on Fletch and how he is doing since he also brings in more ball handling Staying with him on the perimeter is huge and Fletch can do that whereas Cam adds more ability in defending the drive and grabbing some boards. But yeah, that will be one thing of importance.

 

[typeviic]

Expect the most ball pressure on the guards that we've seen all year. Turnovers concern me. We need to hit the bunnies when we get them with our size advantage and get into our offense.

That would still leave one of our shooters wide open, as they will double Edey.

 

[tjreese]

First game was a total foul fest rock fight. They can't match up and will foul us all game. We shot 48 free throws. I expect the same.

I doubt Purdue gets 48 FTs this game. Would love it were it to happen, but don't think it will for a couple of reasons...refs and them playing physical better

 

[tjreese]

Ethan Morton. … perhaps, knecht is tall 6’6. Lance Jones is the more physical starter

Ethan has fallen behind CAm on D with Cam getting the advantage on O

 

[tjreese]

Jones on Knecht to start. See how he does. Rotate in Heide and…gulp…Morton if Kenct gets hot.
Feed Edey. Get there bigs frustrated.

I think TKR will be really important. If they focus on ZE, TKR needs to crash the glass hard, play garbage man and get those 50/50 balls.

I was hopeful we would get that out of Trey at the start yesterday, but had to wait until the 2nd half start

 

[bonefish1]

I felt like Heide was quietly very impactful in yesterday’s game and will be the best matchup against Knecht tomorrow. I agree with starting Jones on him.

Heide has the size but Knecht is really crafty and will find ways to get looks. I think you just try different combos and see if you can get him to try and do too much.
Or, do you let Knecht get his and not let someone else go off for 20+?

 

[boilernuke]

I felt like Heide was quietly very impactful in yesterday’s game and will be the best matchup against Knecht tomorrow. I agree with starting Jones on him.

Gillis also doesn't get enough praise. Thought he played good defense, especially in second half. Knocked down 2/3 threes, 3/0 a/to, all positive impacts. He played better than last outing with the zags. Huge Gillis fan. He will be missed.

 

[BBG]

Heide has the size but Knecht is really crafty and will find ways to get looks. I think you just try different combos and see if you can get him to try and do too much.
Or, do you let Knecht get his and not let someone else go off for 20+?

Maybe a combination of both. Slow Knecht down and stop everyone else as Knecht is going to be on a mission tomorrow for a myriad of reasons.

 

[Do Dah Day]

Maybe a combination of both. Slow Knecht down and stop everyone else as Knecht is going to be on a mission tomorrow for a myriad of reasons.

I agree --- but Caleb Love and RJ Davis were on missions too ... that's why they play the game.

 

[tjreese]

Expect the most ball pressure on the guards that we've seen all year. Turnovers concern me. We need to hit the bunnies when we get them with our size advantage and get into our offense.

So with two people capable of handling the ball there are a few things to counter that pressure. If one defender is particularly important on D and they put him on Braden you can always take him out by using Lance to bring the ball up and bringing Braden off a screen to get more in the offense since jamming the ball down the court has been removed. Course, they will also have a good defender on Lance...but is he good enough? Purdue does this a little at times every game and so it isn't something new. Then the obvious screen to remove pressure. Not sure who will have Fletch and who will have Trey, but leaning to Trey to provide a screen since he will bring a slower big and keep Zach already low so you can push it a bit if needed after the screen. Maybe do that with Fltech screening, but I don't have a great understanding of Tenn to know who might be best, but in my ignorance I'm guessing Trey. Don't want to set up Zach by waiting for him to go low after a screen. Course they could double Braden if Trey screens or in reality on any screen. doubling on ball screens was dropped out of favor when they started having a quick whistle, but can certainly be effective with a slow whistle.

They are going to take their vaulted D and focus on Braden I believe. I expect some turnovers, but hope their offense is not good enough. Kim reminding me I have some things to do...

 

[Chi-Boiler]

only -3.5 Chi. Surprised at that number?

Nope. Pretty much what I expected. -3 here right now.