Purdue Basketball Game 25 preview: Iowa
WEST LAFAYETTE – Top-ranked Purdue looks to bounce back after its second loss when the Boilermakers host Iowa at Mackey Arena on Thursday night. This is the only regular season meeting between the programs. The Hawkeyes defeated Purdue in last year’s Big Ten tournament championship game in Indianapolis. The Boilermakers hold a three-game lead in the Big Ten standings ahead of Rutgers, Indiana and Michigan.
Where: Mackey Arena
When: Thursday, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Purdue Sports Network (WAZY locally)
In-game updates: GoldandBlack.com | Twitter @mike_carmin
ABOUT THE TEAMS
Purdue: Roster | Schedule | Stats
Iowa: Roster | Schedule | Stats
NUMBERS AND SUCH
ON IOWA (15-8, 7-5 B1G)
• The Hawkeyes are in the middle of the jumbled Big Ten standings and every game carries importance as the race for the top four spots (and the double byes in the conference tournament) continues. Iowa is on a three-game winning streak, averaging 86.7 points against Rutgers, Northwestern and Illinois.
• The Hawkeyes have faced the No. 1 team on the road nine times and are 0-9.
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 81.5 points in all games, and had led the conference in the last four seasons. The Hawkeyes are averaging 78.6 points in league games to rank No. 1.
• While Iowa will put up points, it ranks last in Big Ten games in opponents’ field goal percentage defense. Conference teams are shooting 48% from the field against the Hawkeyes.
PROJECTED IOWA LINEUPS
Forward— 24 Kris Murray (6-8, 220, Jr.)
Ranks third in the Big Ten in scoring during conference games (21.3) and the offense runs through the projected first-team All-Big Ten selection. Scored 23 points off the bench in last year’s regular-season matchup against the Boilermakers in Iowa City. He’s scored 30 or more points four times this season. Murray posted a monster game against Georgia Tech, totaling 30 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, four 3-pointers and two blocks.
Forward — 0 Filip Rebraca (6-9, 230, Fifth-year)
Will get the first shot at defending Zach Edey but is also enjoying a solid offensive year. He’s scored 15 or more points in eight of the last 13 games. The 25-year-old is shooting a team-best 56.7% from the field and ranks second in rebounding. Was whistled for 10 fouls in the three games against Purdue last season dealing with Edey and Trevion Williams.
Forward— 30 Connor McCaffery (6-6, 215, Grad)
Is shooting 36.6% from 3-point range this season but was 0 of 11 from beyond the arc in last year’s three games against the Boilermakers.
Guard — 1 Ahron Ulis (6-3, 190, Jr.)
Giving the Hawkeyes solid production in the last nine games, averaging 8.2 points, as opponents focus most of their attention on others. Made 8 of 15 3-pointers during the nine-game stretch. Committed three turnovers in the last three games, all at home, but has totaled 14 in the last three road games.
Guard — 11 Tony Perkins (6-4, 205, Jr.)
The Indianapolis native scored a career-high 32 points in Saturday’s win against Illinois, including 15 straight free throws before missing. The second time this season the Lawrence North graduate has surpassed the 20-point mark. Scored 14 points last season at Mackey Arena and had 11 points, four assists and no turnovers in the Big Ten championship game.
Bench
Guard – 20 Payton Sandfort (6-7, 215, So.)
Deadly 3-point shooter off the bench as the Hawkeyes have won eight of 10 games when he makes multiple 3-pointers. He began the Big Ten season in an 0-for-19 slump but is shooting 49% in the last nine games. Was 4 of 4 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers, in last year’s conference title game in Indianapolis.
Forward – 22 Patrick McCaffery (6-9, 210, RS Jr.)
Took a leave of absence on Jan. 3 to address anxiety issues but returned to game action on Jan. 29 against Rutgers. Totaled 13 points in the last three games.
Center – 23 Josh Ogundele (6-10, 275, Jr.)
The backup center battled Purdue’s bigs last season, playing 16 minutes in the Big Ten title game. He hasn’t played since Dec. 21 but returned to practice last week.
ON PURDUE (22-2, 11-2 B1G)
• The nine-game winning streak ended in Bloomington, but the Boilermakers stayed atop the rankings despite the loss. A sign of respect for the team and the program based on what’s transpired this season. Purdue still has the best body of work in the nation and continues to solidify itself as a No. 1 seed, and probably the top overall seed when the brackets are announced in March, unless a losing streak is about to happen.
• Despite giving up 79 points to the Hoosiers, the Boilermakers remain the top scoring defensive team in the Big Ten in conference games, allowing 62.4 points. That figure will be challenged by the Hawkeyes, who always put up a ton of points. Purdue recaptured some of its defensive swagger in the second half against Indiana but must start in the right mindset from the opening tip.
• Purdue’s had issues with Iowa’s press over the years and look for the Hawkeyes to see what chaos they can cause Thursday. If the Boilermakers attack and score, Iowa will back out of its pressure.
• The Boilermakers continue to lead the nation in offensive rebounding percentage (38.7).
• How many more games will Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith go 5-for-20 shooting? It was an outlier.
PROJECTED PURDUE LINEUPS
Starters
Center — 15 Zach Edey (7-4, 290, Junior)
Another 30-point game, another double-figure rebounding outing but the loss and the five turnovers took some of the shine off the performance. Edey has all but wrapped up Big Ten and National Player of the Year honors and continues to play at a high level. Not sure the Hawkeyes have enough inside to deal with Edey.
Forward— 1 Caleb Furst (6-10, 230, Sophomore)
Scored five quick points at Indiana but then faded from an offensive standpoint. Helped defend Trayce Jackson-Davis in the second half and can use his length and athletic ability to play a bigger role at both ends.
Guard — 3 Braden Smith (6-0, 180, Freshman)
On a solid run with 18 assists and two turnovers over the last three games but the shooting has been off during the same stretch (5 of 20). Smith is 1 of 11 from 3-point range the last five games.
Guard — 2 Fletcher Loyer (6-4, 185, Freshman)
Made key baskets in the second half at Indiana to prevent the Boilermakers from getting run out of the gym. Five straight games with at least one 3-pointer.
Guard/Forward — 25 Ethan Morton (6-7, 215, Junior)
Will get his chance to defend nearly everyone on Iowa’s roster, including Murray. Picked up two early fouls at Indiana and the defense took a hit with Morton on the bench. The Boilermakers need him on the floor.
Rotational Reserves
Forward — 0 Mason Gillis (6-6, 230, Junior)
Looking for a bounce-back performance after putting up 29 points against Penn State and then totaled five points, four rebounds and three turnovers in the loss to Indiana.
Guard — 14 David Jenkins Jr. (6-1, 200, Senior)
Made 9 of 13 from 3-point range the last five games.
Guard — 5 Brandon Newman (6-5, 200, Junior)
Hit a big 3-pointer against the Hoosiers to slice into the second-half lead.
Forward/Center — 4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (6-9, 225, Redshirt Freshman)
Continues to show progress despite the limited minutes. Could be a spark off the bench against the Hawkeyes.
Guard/Forward — 11 Brian Waddell (6-8, 195, Redshirt Freshman)
Note: Freshman center Will Berg and wing Camden Heide will redshirt this season.
LIGHTNING-ROUND TAKES
• Purdue and Iowa rank No. 1 and No. 2 in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com. The difference could rest with the defense as the Boilermakers rank No. 21 and the Hawkeyes are No. 151.
• Since turnovers are on everyone’s mind, Purdue had its struggles in that department last season against Iowa. The Boilermakers won two of the three meetings but committed 49 turnovers, while the Hawkeyes had 24. Iowa also scored a combined 52 points in the three games off turnovers.
PREDICTION: PURDUE 78, IOWA 70
Following the loss to Rutgers, the Boilermakers struggled to get going at Ohio State and needed a big second half to avoid a losing streak. Purdue will need a sharper performance from the start against the Hawkeyes, who are trying to create separation from the middle of the Big Ten standings. Iowa will challenge the defense with numerous options but the Hawkeyes must deal with Edey and company. Another game where turnovers will be deciding factor.
