Purdue Basketball Game 23 Preview: Penn State

WEST LAFAYETTE – Top-ranked Purdue plays its second straight home game Wednesday when Penn State and former Boilermaker assistant Micah Shrewsberry visit Mackey Arena. This is Shrewsberry’s first game at Mackey Arena since leaving the program to take over the Nittany Lions. The Boilermakers hold a three-game lead in the loss column in the conference standings.

Here’s our in-depth preview of Purdue’s rematch with Penn State.

Where: Mackey Arena (West Lafayette)

When: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. ET

TV: BTN

Radio: Purdue Sports Network (WAZY locally)

In-game updates: GoldandBlack.com | Twitter @mike_carmin

ABOUT THE TEAMS

Purdue: Roster | Schedule | Stats

Penn State: Roster | Schedule | Stats

NUMBERS AND SUCH

Team	AP	Coaches	NET	KenPom	KenPom Win%
Purdue	1	1	3	4	82%
Penn State	—	—	51	40	18%

ON PURDUE (21-1, 10-1 B1G)

• The Boilermakers started the second half of the Big Ten season with an impressive victory over Michigan State on Sunday, nearly two weeks after needing a last-second shot by Zach Edey to knock off the Spartans in East Lansing.

• Purdue became the first team this season to earn all 62 first-place votes in the AP poll following then-No. 2 Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma. No surprise the Boilermakers are ranked No. 1, but it’s noteworthy that everyone is on board this week.  

• Defense continues to shine. Purdue leads the Big Ten in scoring defense (61.1) in conference games, ranking ahead of Michigan State, Illinois and Rutgers. The Boilermakers haven’t allowed an opponent to score more than 70 points this season and Michigan only reached that mark with a late desperation 3-pointer last week. Marquette and Minnesota also scored 70 points.

• One concern exiting the Michigan State win was free throw shooting. The Boilermakers shot a season-low 54.5% (12 of 22) and after starting 0 of 4. Ethan Morton, who was 19 of 22 before Sunday, made just 1 of 6.

• The Boilermakers allowed Michigan State just two offensive rebounds – and one was a team rebound. It was another example of how well Purdue has protected the boards this season, finishing off defensive possessions by limiting the Spartans to basically one shot.

PROJECTED PURDUE LINEUPS

Starters

Center — 15 Zach Edey (7-4, 290, Junior)

A career-high 38 points along with 13 rebounds against the Spartans earned Edey just about every weekly award in the sport along with his performance against Michigan. Honors from the Big Ten, NCAA March Madness, Naismith and Canada add to his long list of accomplishments. Edey has five 30-point games this season, including one against Penn State in early January. The Nittany Lions didn’t have an answer inside The Palestra, and we’ll see if they can find one at Mackey Arena.

Forward— 1 Caleb Furst (6-10, 230, Sophomore)

He’s been quiet offensively the last two games totaling one point but contributed in other ways Sunday with five rebounds, four assists – including a sweet pass to Edey for a first-half dunk in the lane – along with a block and an assist. As long as Furst keeps crashing the boards, good things will follow.   

Guard — 3 Braden Smith (6-0, 180, Freshman)

Turnovers are up in the last five games but Smith overcomes the mistakes by hitting the boards and playing a two-man game with Edey. Controlled the first meeting against Penn State on the perimeter with 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

Guard — 2 Fletcher Loyer (6-4, 185, Freshman)

Overlooked in Sunday’s win were the two charges Loyer took in the first half, including one early that sparked a mini-run. Driving to the basket more to shed defenders trying to take away his 3-point shot. Made four 3-pointers against the Nittany Lions in the first meeting.

Guard/Forward — 25 Ethan Morton (6-7, 215, Junior)

Will start out defending Jalen Pickett, who had a monster first half against Purdue last month. But Morton and the defense slowed Pickett down after halftime, allowing the Boilermakers to play one of their best 10-minute stretches of the season after halftime. The offense is starting to come for Morton, who has one 3-pointer in three of the last four games.

Rotational Reserves

Forward — 0 Mason Gillis (6-6, 230, Junior)

Still seeing significant minutes despite not starting. Played 22 minutes against Michigan and Michigan State in the last two games and his trademark hustle and physical presence keeps the Boilermakers moving at both ends of the floor.

Guard — 14 David Jenkins Jr. (6-1, 200, Senior)

Has found his shooting touch from 3-point range in the last three games, making 6 of 8. Scored 19 points in the last two and is part of a bench providing consistent production.

Guard — 5 Brandon Newman (6-5, 200, Junior)

Seven straight games with double-figure minutes and is contributing in different ways. His two free throws at Michigan sealed the win and Newman continues to rebound well on the defensive end.

Forward/Center — 4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (6-9, 225, Redshirt Freshman)

After struggling with his shooting since Big Ten play resumed, Kaufman-Renn has posted back-to-back solid performances on the offensive end. He’s 6 of 8 shooting, giving the Boilermakers production off the bench at the center position.

Guard/Forward — 11 Brian Waddell (6-8, 195, Redshirt Freshman)

Note: Freshman center Will Berg and wing Camden Heide will redshirt this season.

ON PENN STATE (14-7, 5-5 B1G)

• For the second time, the Nittany Lions will face Purdue when it’s ranked No. 1. The Boilermakers parlayed a big second half in January to beat Penn State at The Palestra.  PSU is 0-13 all-time against No. 1 teams.

• The Nittany Lions are currently on the win, loss rollercoaster the last five games, failing to win two straight but also avoiding a two-game losing streak. They’re coming off a 22-point win over Michigan where they pieced together a 42-11 run over a nearly 15-minute stretch.

• Penn State is one of the oldest teams in college basketball but is still searching for consistent performances. Before beating the Wolverines, the Nittany Lions scored 45 points in a 20-point loss to Rutgers.

• Penn State is averaging 8.7 turnovers, ranking No. 1 in the nation.

PROJECTED PENN STATE LINEUPS

Guard — 22 Jalen Pickett (6-4, 209, Grad)

A virtual lock for first-team All-Big Ten after averaging nearly 20 points in conference games during the first half of the league season. Almost posted a triple-double in the first meeting against the Boilermakers, thanks to an outstanding first half that gave the Nittany Lions a six-point lead. But was slowed by Morton and Newman after halftime, allowing the Boilermakers to pull away. Purdue has seen Pickett when he gets rolling and he’s capable of carrying PSU to win.

Forward — 1 Seth Lundy (6-6, 220, Senior)

If Lundy and Pickett are playing well at the same time, the Lions will be hard to stop. Lundy had 22 points in the win against Michigan but totaled 14 in the January matchup against Purdue and scored four points after halftime on 2 of 7 shooting.

Guard — 10 Andrew Funk (6-5, 200, R-Senior)

Continues to shoot 3-pointers at a high rate and is converting on 43% in the first 10 Big Ten games. He was 1 of 5 from beyond the arc in the first meeting.

Forward — 24 Michael Henn (6-8, 244, 7^th year)

The transfer from Denver made his first start of the season against Michigan, giving the Lions another big man to battle Hunter Dickinson. Totaled 10 points, three assists and was 4 of 4 from the field in 24 minutes. Played two minutes against Purdue in January.

Forward — 4 Caleb Dorsey (6-7, 235, Junior)

Returned to the starting lineup in PSU’s last game, helping Henn defend Dickinson. Will the duo double team Edey? Dorsey started the first five games of the season and against Canisius but didn’t play against the Boilermakers.

Bench

Guard/Forward – 3 Kebba Njie (6-10, 237, Freshman)

Guard/Forward — 2 Myles Dread (6-4, 235, R-Senior)

Both were in the starting lineup in the first meeting and totaled nine points.

LIGHTNING-ROUND TAKES

• Can the Boilermakers avoid looking ahead to Saturday’s mega-showdown at Indiana?

• Purdue’s defense has been solid all season but will be tested on the perimeter by Jalen Pickett, Seth Lundy and Andrew Funk.

PREDICTION: PURDUE 73, PENN STATE 61

The Nittany Lions used different personnel to rattle Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson in Sunday’s win but will the same approach work against Edey and the Boilermakers? Edey dominated PSU in the first meeting and is poised to do it again with the lack of size inside. But Purdue must keep Pickett, Lundy and Funk from controlling this game from the 3-point line. Bench production has been huge the last two games and will need to continue.