Fast start allows No. 3 Purdue to steamroll Samford in season opener

Less than two minutes into Monday’s season opener, an attitude emerged from Purdue.

One that had an edge, maybe an element that was missing last year, but it was clearly on display against Samford, which seemed determined to poke and prod the Boilermakers.

The only way for the Bulldogs to stay with No. 3 Purdue was to distract Matt Painter’s team from actually playing basketball. It didn’t work. Far from it.

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Fueled by a suffocating defense, pinpoint shooting from the perimeter and Lance Jones pushing the ball in transition, the Boilermakers smashed Samford 98-45 before a sold-out crowd at Mackey Arena.

It’s one game against a mid-major opponent and doesn’t define how the season plays out. But the chip Purdue played with could be a good omen as this team navigates this highly anticipated season, knowing opponents will try to knock the Boilermakers off their game.

From a production standpoint, big man Zach Edey wasn’t the centerpiece in the first half but his intimidating presence played a role in the Bulldogs struggling to score. Overall, the defense challenged shooters and kept Samford out of the paint.

The Bulldogs had one point in the first seven minutes and the Boilermakers led by 20.

Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith and Jones generated the offense, combining for 24 of the 51 first-half points. They controlled the tempo and Purdue quickly found a comfortable level on offense.

Edey finished with a double double (16-11) and Loyer and Smith combined for 24 points, hitting 8 of 11 from 3-point range. In his first game, Camden Heide poured in 13 points, making 3 of 4 from 3-point range.

Purdue made 16 of 29 from 3-point range and totaled 29 assists on 34 made field goals.

AGGRESSIVE DEMEANOR

Two mini skirmishes seemed to bring a different mindset from the Boilermakers.

The first one involved Edey, who was standing up for a teammate. Jones was involved in the second one when a Samford player put his foot on the ball, preventing the Southern Illinois transfer from picking it up.

Light shoving and words were exchanged as Jones and Samford’s Jermaine Marshall were whistled for technical fouls. Those plays increased the Boilermakers’ intensity level.  

Jones played with great effort and energy, especially on the defensive end.

“More than anything, he had that fight to him and didn’t back down from them right away,” Painter said. “Everybody was ready to play. We shot the ball well, and played really hard.”

It’s a long season but Purdue must find a way to channel this edge in every game to overcome the issues it’s endured in the past.

“In general, you play basketball with an edge, and I think it’s pretty hard to play basketball when you’re kind of letting people push you around,” Edey said.

Defensively, the Boilermakers were sharp as the Bulldogs were 5 of 31 from 3-point range. The number of missed shots allowed Purdue to get out in transition and prevented Samford from setting up its fullcourt defense.

“I think we came out in the first half really well,” Edey said. “Defensively, we did some really good things. We played with great energy, and we played with that edge to start the game off and that carried us through the whole game.”

JONES SHINES

Painter brought back most of last year’s roster, but the addition of Jones has given the Boilermakers a different element.

His ability to push the ball in transition, allowing Smith and Loyer get set for 3-point shots, is an early positive sign for the offense.

“It definitely helps, and it helps when shots are going in,” Smith said. “Just having the confidence in everybody to shoot the ball. If you’re hitting shots, shoot it. If you miss, you miss. We’re going to take them all the time. It’s nice to have other guys out there to help dribble throughout the press and create plays.”

Samford coach Bucky McMillian scouted Purdue without Jones in the lineup, instead focusing on what he did individually with the Huskies. Jones was 0 of 4 from 3-point range but his presence on the defensive end and his ability to find open shooters helped the Boilermakers build an insurmountable advantage.

“Great shooter and can space it from deep from what we saw,” McMillian said.  “Sometimes you get guys that played at mid-major places, and you see that they had to be the guy there. Even though he’s coming to Purdue, he’s scored the ball. He’s been in these spots where he’s had to score. He’s a different threat and he can really get off from deep.”

HOT FROM 3-POINT RANGE

Seven different players hit a 3-pointer, including four each from Smith and Loyer. Overall, the Boilermakers shot 55% from beyond the arc as the Bulldogs swarmed Edey inside and nearly everyone had open looks on the perimeter.

“The more (Zach) can get the ball and the more Braden can get the ball in the paint, those guys are going to have more and more opportunities,” Painter said. “We have to be smart. If they want to put three people on the ball, they want to load up on a ball screen, they want to have a triple trap with Zach, who has to make clean passes and get it reversed.”

The combination worked several times last season as Purdue featured one of the top inside-outside combinations in the country. But the Boilermakers also went cold from 3-point range at inopportune times, bringing the offense to a halt.

Purdue would appear to have more 3-point shooting threats with the addition of Heide and Myles Colvin. The duo made a combined 5 of 9 from beyond the arc.

“When guys like Ethan (Morton) and Heide came in and hit shots, it’s just really impressive,” Loyer said. “It shows the depth we have on this team. And guys are making passes. It’s not easy to get everyone involved.

“When we’re hitting shots and Zach is dominating down low, we’re going to be unstoppable, especially when we play with that edge.”