Game Day Essentials: Game #21 vs Purdue

Purdue Info

Head Coach: Matt Painter
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Boilermakers

Mascot: Purdue Pete, Boilermaker Special

Shirt not to wear: Yellow, Black, Thomas the train

Pregame drink not to have: Beer containing a shot of whisky
Last time out: Beat Michigan St
Typical Rotation Depth: 8+
Line: Purdue by 9
Tempo: "B1G fast"
Style: High assist, High 3pt shooting
4 Factors Good: Not fouling, Not giving up rebounds, shooting, defending
4 Factors Bad: Losing in the Turnover Game

Most Frequently Used Lineup over the last 5 games

Player to watch: Caleb Swanigan

After struggling last year the 5 star McDonald's All-American is essentially a lock for 1st team All-B1G. The future NBA player is averaging a double-double and is shooting 50% from 3.

The Skinny

Ed Morrow is a game time decision. He's practiced the last two days and he's expected to come back either today or Thursday vs Michigan St.

Purdue's big front line of Swanigan, Isaac Hass, and Vincent Edwards gets all the attention but it's the 3pt shooting guards that Matt Painter rolls out that makes Purdue such a load offensively. How much can Jacobson slow down Swanigan? Who is slowing down Swanigan when he's on the floor with Haas? How many minutes can a foul prone Jordy play against a front court that generates a lot of contact? The Purdue offense typically works quickly so it's really about pushing pace in order to goad the Boilermakers into quick shots they hopefully won't make nor rebound for easy put backs.

Offensively, the Boilermakers don't foul a lot but they have a surprising lack of blocks and turnovers. I admittedly have not seen enough of them to know whether teams cannot penetrate past the guards with ease or if teams don't want to drive the lane against the height of Purdue. Look for vary their attack based on whether or not Haas is on the floor for rim protection. 

This Purdue team is 2-2 on the road including an Iowa team that shot the ball well and made a defensive stand in the end. This is the sort of effort that it will take from Nebraska to win this one. The Huskers changed up their routine to stay at a hotel tonight. Is that the boost they need? Do they have the confidence to make shots in this game?

Prediction: Purdue 82 Nebraska 72 with a 68% chance of Runzas