Game Day Essentials: Game #20 vs Purdue

Purdue Info

Head Coach: Matt Painter
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Conference: B1G 10
Nickname: Boilermakers
Mascots: Boilermaker Special, Purdue Pete

Typical Rotation Depth: 9-10

KenPom rank: 21

Hoiberg Presser

A lot of Eduardo Andre talk here and Fred has a lot of positives.  Credits Andre's hard work plus the reps he's been receiving as part of the practice squad.  Check out this thread for breakdown.

Webster Presser

Questions and answers about how Nebraska keeps from being fatigued after playing so many games. Impressed by the versatility of Purdue, especially Trevion Williams. 

Players to watch:  Trevion Williams 

Purdue's offense almost always run through whatever talented post player they have and Williams is talented. While it's no surprise he leads the Boilermakers in scoring and rebounds, he's also second on the team in assists; Williams will make you pay on the double-team.

Players to watch:   Jaden Ivey

The true freshman has made his way into the starting lineup 5 games after Sasha Stefanovic tested positive for Covid and remained there even with Stefanovic returning.  Ivey has an inconsistent shot, especially on the road. Look for Nebraska to make him prove he can knock down shots from outside.

Roster points

This is a very young Purdue team that has 5 freshmen in the rotation

• Starting PG Eric Hunter has an inconsistent outside shot
• Redshirt Freshman Brandon Newman has started every game and the lengthy top 100 recruit has been shooting 41% from 3
• Redshirt Freshman has taken over as the primary glue guy 4 man over Aaron Wheeler, providing rebounding alongside shot blockers
• 7'4" monster Zach Edey is a better finisher and shot blocker than Williams but he's not at all the threat right now to pass out of a double team. Williams and Edey share the 5 spot with Williams out there about 66% of the time.
• SG Sasha Stefanovic hasn't made a shot since coming back from Covid, going 0-10 in 3 games including 0-7 from 3
• Soph Isaiah Thompson provides point guard depth
• True freshman 6'6" wing Ethan Mortan is a talented passer but hasn't put it together. 

The Skinny:

Purdue skews a bit younger than they expected this year as Matt Haarms and Nojel Eastern transferred out of the program leading long time Coach Matt Painter to start several freshmen and probably play a couple of guys he might have normally redshirted.  For the most part Purdue hasn't skipped a beat as his young players have performed well and Trevion Williams picked up where he left off last year.

Right now the biggest thing holding this NCAA tourney bound Purdue team back is their 3pt shooting struggles as they clock in at 13th best during conference play at 30.2%. (Nebraska is up to 11th at 31.8%). The Huskers like to double down to an extreme at points so we'll see if they allow certain guys to have wide open looks and if Purdue will get on track. On the offensive side Nebraska will find driving lanes into the paint because Purdue runs you off the 3pt line into their shot blockers. It would be nice if today was the day that bunnies started to drop for the Huskers.  The big job for Nebraska today will be to limit Purdue on the offensive boards.  The Boilermakers average over 11 offensive rebounds a game which means at points you'll probably see Purdue operating on offense for over a minute straight this afternoon.  Nebraska can't let that break their spirit.

Here is to hoping this isn't a get right game from 3 for some of the struggling Boilermakers

Prediction: Purdue 76 - Nebraska 67