Purdue Scouting Report

[TheChamps990411]

Edey has some of the best conditioning I've seen for a guy his size. He could play 40 minutes every game and not show any fatigue

But Clingan and Samson are some of the most agile guys I've seen at 6'10 and 7'2. Wonder if the gameplan will be to slow it down and run our stuff since it's gotten us this far, or to tell Clingan and Samson to RUN every time we get a board to force Edey to either chase them or give up dunks

NC St was bothering Braden Smith with their defense. I don't think he's ever seen a defender like Steph Castle. The best way to stop Edey from dominating is to make sure he can't get the ball. UConn needs to make sure they are making life hell for Purdue's ballhandlers

He usually has the luxury of walking up and down the court most of the time. If DC and SJ can make him move hes cooked. Give Smith a steady diet of Castle, Newton and Diarra and its a wrap. What im saying is and what ive said even last year is Uconn is an absolutely horrible matchup for Purdue.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Purdue is maybe the only team in the country that can watch the game film of our Creighton loss and use the blueprint, so I expect to see a similar scheme (basically Ashworth just trailed Spencer off every screen to take away the three point line and allowed him to get into the paint whenever he wanted, with Kalbrenner waiting … then fronting Karaban and forcing Newton to be a scorer). I’m sure our staff has broken that down and will at least have a counter plan.

Creighton also had the big game from 3 to build a lead and we never found our footing to come back. Illinois was effective defensively against us but we never let them get separation, and Alabama was crazy hot from 3, but we scored enough to still be up 6 at the half. So basically the two things happening in tandem - an effective defensive scheme and crazy hot shooting - was the one time we faced our kryptonite.

The Creighton plan is fools gold. The only reason they won that game was Ashford was out of his mind and they hit 14 3s on 50%. Thats at the very least what PUrdue is going to have to do.

 

[champs99and04]

The Creighton plan is fools gold. The only reason they won that game was Ashford was out of his mind and they hit 14 3s on 50%. Thats at the very least what PUrdue is going to have to do.

Well, they did win that game by 19 points - so 10 or 11 might do.

But Creighton is very unique in the way they run their offense, and although Purdue implements some of the same concepts, I don't think it requires nearly the same fluency guarding off the ball. What they run is probably more similar to what the Warriors run for Klay and Steph than it is Purdue.

 

[caw]

The Creighton plan is fools gold. The only reason they won that game was Ashford was out of his mind and they hit 14 3s on 50%. Thats at the very least what PUrdue is going to have to do.

I don't completely agree (though I am 75% there with you).

Defensively Creighton made it tough on UConn to run a lot of the action we usually see with their one man zone Kalkbrenner played. That is something Purdue will likely do. UConn's single game offensive efficiency was still great but it was like against Kansas and because Newton did Newton things against the drop coverage. That said, Purdue is a good deal smaller 1-3 compared to Creighton and they have no one like Alexander defensively (Jones is good but smaller). Also, Newton, Castle and Cam have been better at keeping their defender on their back and probing the paint for a floater or dish to Clingan recently when other teams have tried that against UConn. I prefer they hard attack Edey and don't settle though.

Offensively, I agree. Smith is better overall compared to Ashworth but he also doesn't usually bomb multiple shots from 30 feet and sink them and I doubt he will be better than Ashworth was that game. Also, Purdue has nobody as consistently good as Scheierman at the three. He is so good it forced UConn to put Castle on him which put Cam on Ashworth. UConn will have the luxury of having Castle/Diarra on Smith. Unless Loyer has an unusually great game, he just isnt the same threat Scheierman is normally. Jones is good and arguably as, or more, dynamic on the break compared to Alexander but he doesn't have the same versatility to his half-court game. Alexander killed UConn on the mid-range and forced UConn to use Newton on him. I really love the way Smith plays as a smaller Kolek. That said I like Renn/Gillis over Miller.

It also helps Creighton that they are pretty used to playing UConn and were at home.

Of course Purdue has Edey who is a beast and much better offensively compared to Kalkbrenner.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Creighton being unconscious from three for the last 15 minutes of the first half played a massive role in the outcome. Hunting early fouls (and succeeding) on Clingan was the other factor, and I'm not sure the former happens without the latter.

Donovan remaining on the floor for 12-13 minutes in the first half will be vital. His ability to play ~8 of the first 12 minutes of the second half will also be exceptionally important.

 

[Hamms30]

Is Hurley gonna set Clingan loose from 3 point land tonight?

 

[mauconnfan]

Edey has some of the best conditioning I've seen for a guy his size. He could play 40 minutes every game and not show any fatigue

But Clingan and Samson are some of the most agile guys I've seen at 6'10 and 7'2. Wonder if the gameplan will be to slow it down and run our stuff since it's gotten us this far, or to tell Clingan and Samson to RUN every time we get a board to force Edey to either chase them or give up dunks

NC St was bothering Braden Smith with their defense. I don't think he's ever seen a defender like Steph Castle. The best way to stop Edey from dominating is to make sure he can't get the ball. UConn needs to make sure they are making life hell for Purdue's ballhandlers

You’re the best, thanks again great year!!!!

 

[freshler40]

Clingan has played against Dickinson, Bacot, and Kalk (2x) and played extremely well. He’s played against other bigs. Not sure Edey has played as many bigs like Clingan has

Add Santago.

 

[mauconnfan]

Again simple key, DC out of foul trouble. Needs to be more in the stand steady, take the hits as Edey backs down and don’t reach. Hand up because his size alone can make it it uncomfortable anyway then turn, box out and rebound his misses. He needs to do that and not worry about blocking his shots. The 2 guards didn’t shoot it well last game and like us are due. Too much doubling could get then catch and shoot looks, although some doubling is a must.

Interesting match up for sure, can’t wait!

 

[nomar]

That's weird that most of the field goals they give up are assisted despite allowing a low percentage of both 3s and 2s.

I guess it makes sense that they don't give up a lot of 1-on-1 stuff but that, when you do score, it's going to be off of passing.

I also didn't realize Braden Smith was that small. In fact, all of our guards should have decent size advantage and, if we're not doubling on Edey, those guys should have trouble getting clean looks from 3.

It's insane that they have 6 guys who average over 1 3-point attempt per game and 5 of them are over 40%. I wonder how much of that is their innate ability vs. the fact that they're getting wide open looks moving towards the basket off of kickouts from Edey.

You gotta think the doubling of Edey has led to many open 3s

 

[ucp990411]

That is true, but he is still a horrible defender.

Overall, I imagine they try and replicate Creighton's game plan. Creighton and Purdue have a lot of similarities though Smith is better than Ashworth and Baylor better than Loyer.

Smith is not better than the Ashworth that played against us at Creighton

 

[Tenspro2002]

You gotta think the doubling of Edey has led to many open 3s

I don't know how many assists Edey has, but I bet he has a ton of hockey assists when the defense collapsed, he kicks out, a wing defender flies at that guy, and he passes to another shooter.

 

[tzznandrew]

Purdue is maybe the only team in the country that can watch the game film of our Creighton loss and use the blueprint, so I expect to see a similar scheme (basically Ashworth just trailed Spencer off every screen to take away the three point line and allowed him to get into the paint whenever he wanted, with Kalbrenner waiting … then fronting Karaban and forcing Newton to be a scorer). I’m sure our staff has broken that down and will at least have a counter plan.

Creighton also had the big game from 3 to build a lead and we never found our footing to come back. Illinois was effective defensively against us but we never let them get separation, and Alabama was crazy hot from 3, but we scored enough to still be up 6 at the half. So basically the two things happening in tandem - an effective defensive scheme and crazy hot shooting - was the one time we faced our kryptonite.

There's some truth to this, but a difference is that Creighton had far more perimeter size and Purdue has no one on the perimeter as good at scoring as Scheierman. Basically whatever Kalk brought offensively was a luxury, because their two highest scorers were guards with size.

Creighton played the way Creighton plays to execute that plan on offense. That would be a rejiggering of Purdue's offense to do that. That said, Purdue is quite good, and their defense is certainly going to cause us problems.

 

[jibsey]

I noticed that in Purdues game against State that Edey kicked out to their guards for wide open 3’s because States guards were cheating to strip Edey when the ball came in. Question, do we try to double him, opening their guards for 3’s? Otherwise Edey is making layups at least 50%?
If Clingan goes straight up to block he may get in foul trouble early dooming us, Edey never gets called. This is the dilemma and I wonder what the plan will be.

 

[upstater]

I noticed NC State got a ton of open looks from outside. Couldn't hit them. I wonder if UConn will get as many. If so, we might see UConn's shooting from outside as a big factor.

 

[Rico444]

Well, they did win that game by 19 points - so 10 or 11 might do.

But Creighton is very unique in the way they run their offense, and although Purdue implements some of the same concepts, I don't think it requires nearly the same fluency guarding off the ball. What they run is probably more similar to what the Warriors run for Klay and Steph than it is Purdue.

That game was also in an extremely tough road environment which makes a big difference.

 

[GoUconn7961]

Let's be honest - Edey will get his points.
I think/know our guards can beat him down the floor. I think Clingan can too. He's never really had to run a full 40 minutes.
The Huskies need a solid defensive effort to deny him the ball. Castle and crew will be all over them.
The x factor is how the refs are going to call the game and the adjustments needed once that's determined.

 

[gtcam]

It all comes down to two things:
1. The refs letting them play, and
2. Out rebounding Purdue

 

[DaMuttzNutt]

I would like to see our guards press the dribble penetrate and find the mid range game. Bring Edey away from the basket or kill it from would line distance. That will soften up the outside for cleaner looks. If we can start hitting early from midrange it will spell DOOM for PURDUE

Run run RUN!

Let Edey get his 25/10, contest their 3 point shots, get long rebounds and RUN

 

[ctbro1999]

Edey has some of the best conditioning I've seen for a guy his size. He could play 40 minutes every game and not show any fatigue

But Clingan and Samson are some of the most agile guys I've seen at 6'10 and 7'2. Wonder if the gameplan will be to slow it down and run our stuff since it's gotten us this far, or to tell Clingan and Samson to RUN every time we get a board to force Edey to either chase them or give up dunks

NC St was bothering Braden Smith with their defense. I don't think he's ever seen a defender like Steph Castle. The best way to stop Edey from dominating is to make sure he can't get the ball. UConn needs to make sure they are making life hell for Purdue's ballhandlers

I think this is a game where Samson's athleticism can really come into play during the times he's spelling Cling Kong. Every time we get a board, have Samson sprinting down the floor and make Edey chase him. Even if we eventually just settle into our 1/2 court offense, making Edey huff it down the floor on defense should wear on him (how much, I'm not sure). On defense though, we'll almost certainly have to double down on Edey as Samson won't be able to stop Edey from backing him down.

When Clingan's on the floor, Edey will also have to work extra hard on both ends. It's not like he'll be able to conserve energy if Clingan is in.

 

[DaMuttzNutt]

I think this is a game where Samson's athleticism can really come into play during the times he's spelling Cling Kong. Every time we get a board, have Samson sprinting down the floor and make Edey chase him. Even if we eventually just settle into our 1/2 court offense, making Edey huff it down the floor on defense should wear on him (how much, I'm not sure). On defense though, we'll almost certainly have to double down on Edey as Samson won't be able to stop Edey from backing him down.

When Clingan's on the floor, Edey will also have to work extra hard on both ends. It's not like he'll be able to conserve energy if Clingan is in.

Is there a chance we see Jaylin in to spell Ak and provide help on doubling down when Donovan is on the bench? If that's the case, I am excited for the young man because he makes plays (big hops for rebounds and active length to cause problems)

 

[ctbro1999]

Is there a chance we see Jaylin in to spell Ak and provide help on doubling down when Donovan is on the bench? If that's the case, I am excited for the young man because he makes plays (big hops for rebounds and active length to cause problems)

I'm sure that's something Danny will consider. Also wonder if he'll try to have Samson front Edey and deny from the front (his hops are insane). I think it's at least worth a try, though if we get burned a couple times doing that it'll be wise to rip that page of the playbook and toss it in the trash.

 

[gsmooth]

I think this game is going to be won or lost on the glass. Edey's a stud and he's gonna get his, hopefully not from the line, but giving him and Purdue 2nd and 3rd chances could be a disaster. Box out, rebound, rinse, repeat, and we will have an excellent shot.

very true because the best time to shoot a 3 pointer is off of an offensive rebound and I have seen Purdue make most of their 3s off of kick outs from Edey in the post and off of passes from an offensive rebound.

 

[alphasigko]

IMO DC and SJ keeping out of foul trouble is THE KEY, the rest should take care of itself.

 

[gsmooth]

That game was also in an extremely tough road environment which makes a big difference.

And off of UConn's emotional win in Hartford against Marquette (2 top 5 teams at the time). Then UConn had to take a long flight to Omaha. It was a perfect storm in Creighton's favor.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

It all comes down to two things:
1. The refs letting them play, and
2. Out rebounding Purdue

I would add Clingan not fouling to that list. Very few of the calls Edey draws are not legit fouls. I think there’s a different question about the leeway Edey gets clearing space on the offensive end.

 

[ctbro1999]

I would add Clingan not fouling to that list. Very few of the calls Edey draws are not legit fouls. I think there’s a different question about the leeway Edey gets clearing space on the offensive end.

I hope the refs realize that there will be nearly 600 pounds of men slamming into each other for a good part of the night and they let them play and swallow the whistle except for the obvious fouls.

 

[jibsey]

Is there a chance we see Jaylin in to spell Ak and provide help on doubling down when Donovan is on the bench? If that's the case, I am excited for the young man because he makes plays (big hops for rebounds and active length to cause problems)

Against their big forward? Yeah, especially if Alex picks up too many fouls.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I hope the refs realize that there will be nearly 600 pounds of men slamming into each other for a good part of the night and they let them play and swallow the whistle except for the obvious fouls.

Refs largely let the teams play in both semifinals. I would expect the same here. Still, DC has been much better but he and SJ have for sure been prone to foul trouble and Edey puts a ton of pressure on bigs.

The nice part is it’s Edey’s size, not his game that creates foul trouble. His post game is very effective because he has good touch and gets great looks/positioning, but it’s limited. He's going over the left shoulder with a hook shot and he’s going to throw some drop steps in if you get out of position. That’s pretty much it. He’s not going to be pump faking and drawing Clingan into jumping early. I think Clingan can afford to pretty much stay on the ground and just have a hand in the face on the hooks.

 

[DaMuttzNutt]

Against their big forward? Yeah, especially if Alex picks up too many fouls.

Their big 4 will be stretched outside when on defense regardless of its JS or AK. I feel good about our ability to get offensive rebounds tonight.