Takeaways and Wrap Video: Texas A&M

INDIANAPOLIS — Our post-game analysis following 11th-ranked Purdue’s 70-66 loss to No. 17 Texas A&M Saturday at the Indy Classic.

PDF: Purdue-Texas A&M stats

PHYSICALITY ON OFFENSE

Some stuff you might have taken for granted during the Ultimate Size Era at Purdue, whether it was Zach Edey, Isaac Haas, Caleb Swanigan, whoever. Purdue has long enjoyed the luxury of every game’s singular physical difference-maker. That is no longer the case with this team. Purdue does not have that luxury to fall back on every single game anymore.

Now, when Purdue plays these defensive-minded, frenzied-playing-style teams full of grown men — four more grad students on the floor against Purdue today — their advantages aren’t just drowned out by Purdue’s massive (no pun intended) advantage.

You look at Edey for example. Talk about the points and rebounds all you want, but his screening and space occupation would have cracked a game like this open for Purdue, not to mention all the fouls he’d have drawn. It’s a moot point because Purdue isn’t getting Edey back and will never see anything like him ever again, but we’re only bringing it up to shine a light on offensive execution challenges now.

Purdue’s guards are not physically imposing. People are still going to try to muscle them. Trey Kaufman-Renn is outstanding, but he’s not going to bully very many similarly sized people.

This isn’t a problem as much as it is just a reality that absurd size has covered up for Purdue the past few years, but in games like this something that really comes to a head.

What are Purdue’s physical advantages offensively?

Braden Smith‘s speed and quickness and Myles Colvin‘s and Camden Heide‘s athleticism and ability to run. Both of those elements are top notch.

So remember that Purdue’s most potent offensive element was transition. Its fast-break game kept Purdue in it during the first half, before that well dried up for whatever reason. Once this became solely a halfcourt game, points were just too hard to come by.

SPEAKING OF PHYSICALITY

Without going down a whiny, bad-take rabbit hole, the likes of which Purdue has been subjected to for years now, the Boilermakers got no help from the whistles on Saturday, not that any team should expect “help.”

But in the most physical game of the season Purdue has played in, Texas A&M was called for 11 fouls to 20 against Purdue. A&M shot 24 free throws to Purdue’s 10.

Yes, the Aggies are way more physical around the basket and on the glass and Purdue really struggles to contain the dribble, but those numbers nevertheless seem out of whack.

People are running their bigs out to hard hedge Smith and at times bumping him. Purdue is not getting any 50/50 calls there. A&M more than once held Kaufman-Renn before he could slip ball screens Saturday, includIng in the final minutes right before Kaufman-Renn turned the ball over on a clear frustration foul.

Purdue did not lose this game because of the officiating. The refs didn’t turn the ball over 16 times, but for a Purdue team that does play through the post and does attack in ball screens off the dribble to never reach the bonus in either half while being hounded on the perimeter and tossed around on the interior, well, unbelievable discipline there from Texas A&M.

PURDUE BACKUP BIGS

Daniel Jacobsen might have helped but against this level of physicality and strength, probably not, but Purdue’s center depth today was exposed. Pharrel Payne, who undoubtedly was well-compensated to leave Minnesota, went at Will Berg every chance he got as part of his 6-of-6, 16-point, nine-rebound game. He’s a really good player.

Caleb Furst didn’t have it today against this physical a front line. He does not look confident in games like this and opponents may be responding to that.

Purdue doesn’t need those guys to do anything thy can’t do. Screen, defend, rebound and get Purdue back to Kaufman-Renn. But no points and one rebound between the two in a combined 18 minutes isn’t optimal. The one rebound was an offensive rebound by Furst right under the basket he couldn’t put back.