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Purdue (34-4)
#2 in KenPom
66th in D1 experience
11th in minutes continuity (69.4%)
47th tallest team in D1
#2 in KenPom
66th in D1 experience
11th in minutes continuity (69.4%)
47th tallest team in D1
3rd in offensive efficiency
- 2nd in A/FGM (65.6%)
- 2nd w/ a 40.6 3P%; 235th in 3PA/FGA (35.2%)
- 6th in offensive rebounding rate
- 13th in FT rate
- 57th w/ a 53.4 2P%
- 154th in turnover prevention
- 244th in steal prevention
- 244th in offensive tempo (18 seconds/possession)
12th in defensive efficiency
- 4th in FT prevention
- 13th in defensive rebounding rate
- 50th in opp. 3P% (31.6%)
- Median in 3PA/FGA (36.9%)
- 53rd in opp. 2P% (46.4%)
- 95th in defensive tempo rate (17.2 seconds/possession)
- 281st in A/FGM prevention (54.7%)
- 342nd in turnover rate
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP:
Braden Smith 6’0 175 sophomore
- #3 rated defender
Lance Jones 6’1 200 grad transfer from Southern Illinois
- #2 rated defender
- 2x MVC All-Defense
Fletcher Loyer 6’4 200 sophomore
Trey Kaufman-Renn 6’9 230 sophomore
- Lowest rated starter on defense
Zach Edey 7’4 300 senior
- Top-rated defender
- 2x Big Ten All-Defense
KEY INJURIES - none
BENCH PIECES - 27.5% minutes (255th in nation)
Mason Gillis 6’6 225 senior
- 4th rated defender in rotation
Camden Heide 6’7 205 freshman
- Lowest rated defender
Myles Colvin 6’5 200 freshman
- Purdue’s best athlete
Center Stage. The Main Event. The Grand Finale.
It’s here.
After three straight seasons playing at least one week of the season as the #1 rated team in the nation, Purdue and Matt Painter has quieted the doubters as the team has finally achieved the level of success most think they should have last year.
Last season, the all-freshman backcourt wilted under FDU’s pressure defense but not only Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer one year older and have all grown in their game, the addition of SIU grad transfer Lance Jones has been one of the most underrated portal pickups in the way his dogged defense helps Purdue become a more complete team and his combo guard abilities has taken tons of pressure off Fletcher Loyer, which in turn has helped him become a much more efficient scorer and more of a catch-and-shoot guy than the combo role Loyer had to play last season (3 turnovers against FDU vs 3 turnovers total so far in the tournament).
That being said, this new-look backcourt is better than last year’s (Morton is now out of the rotation and Brandon Newman has been solid, but not great at WKU), but smaller and, for UConn’s sake, clearer in how they can defend. Yes, Purdue shares the ball beautifully, but Braden Smith stirs the drink and Castle will be primed to not only spill, but shatter that drink glass.
Among Purdue’s starters, their backcourt makes up their only perimeter weapons as Trey Kaufman-Renn and Edey combine for just 26 three point attempts this season. Kaufman-Renn is an elite offensive rebounder, but if I’m Painter, Mason Gillis should get way more PT than Kaufman-Renn, due to his ability to stretch the floor, energy and ability to defend multiple positions much better than TK-R. He’s Purdue’s X-Factor. Heider is another bench option who reminds me a lot of Illinois’ Luke Goode – an excellently sized spacer, but as of right now, doesn’t do much more than that.
Edey vs. Clingan. What can I say that hasn’t been said? It’ll be a battle and Edey has gotten his, as he’s scored 20+ points in every game since February 10th. Of course, Clingan is exactly the type of center that matches up perfectly with Edey – a mammoth big who can battle down low and defend. Edey is tops in the nation at drawing 9.6 fouls/40 and is a solid 71.1% free-throw shooter. While I really like Castle on Smith, I wonder about UConn’s switching potentials whenever Edey screens on the pick-and-roll. If Castle needs to switch, I picture another UConn guard on Smith while Castle provides help defense alongside Clingan for pilfering opportunities. Of course, Samson Johnson will be needed and more exotic defensive strategies will be used for when UConn has a smaller lineup.
Let's Go!