Purdue Basketball Game 24 preview: Indiana

BLOOMINGTON – The first of two meetings between rivals Purdue and Indiana is set for Saturday with the top-ranked Boilermakers riding a nine-game winning streak. In the last 11 meetings, Purdue is 10-1 against the Hoosiers, who snapped a nine-game losing streak in the series last year in Bloomington. The Boilermakers begin the day with a three-game lead in the loss column in the conference standings. Here’s our in-depth preview of Purdue’s rivalry matchup against Indiana

Where: Assembly Hall (Bloomington)

When: Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Radio: Purdue Sports Network (WAZY locally)

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

ABOUT THE TEAMS

Purdue: Roster | Schedule | Stats

Indiana: Roster | Schedule | Stats

NUMBERS AND SUCH

Team	AP	Coaches	NET	KenPom	KenPom Win%
Purdue	1	1	3	3	58%
Indiana	21	22	23	21	42%

ON PURDUE (22-1, 11-1 B1G)

• Winners of nine straight, the Boilermakers can basically lock down the Big Ten championship with a victory over the Hoosiers. No one in the middle of the league standings has been consistent enough to catch Purdue and coach Matt Painter’s team has shown no signs of relinquishing its position atop the league. Yes, the Boilermakers can absorb a loss or two and still win the conference title but most fans prefer that setback comes later and not against their rivals.

• Purdue continues to dispel the idea that it’s just a one-man show. While Zach Edey is the centerpiece, you’re seeing different players contribute to force opponents to pay attention to everyone else. In the last three games, Trey Kaufman-Renn, David Jenkins Jr., and Mason Gillis have enjoyed big games to support Edey, who will remain the go-to guy.

• The Boilermakers quickly cleaned up their free throw shooting after a season-low performance against Michigan State. Purdue was 10 of 14 against Penn State.

• How active was Purdue’s defense against the Nittany Lions? PSU had seven turnovers but the Boilermakers had six steals. To me, those are numbers to track to determine how aggressive Purdue was on the defensive end, getting out in the passing lanes and creating turnovers.

PROJECTED PURDUE LINEUPS

Starters

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

As Painter said earlier in the season, don’t take Edey’s performances for granted. He posted another double double against the Lions but he had just as much fun watching his teammate thrive as he did when he scored 38 points against Michigan State. But the big man is on a mission against the Hoosiers and Trayce Jackson-Davis. You can bet he saw what Maryland coach Kevin Willard said about Jackson-Davis being better than Edey.

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

He’s not trying to do too much and letting the game come to him. Furst is due for a breakout game.

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

Silenced the turnover critics with a splendid floor game against Penn State. Nine points, nine assists and no turnovers in nearly 35 minutes. He’s always a key but if Smith could push the ball in transition since it’s not a strength of the Hoosiers, the Boilermakers could create some easy baskets.

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

Like Smith, knows where the ball needs to go, whether it’s Edey or someone else. Overplay Loyer at your own risk because he’s sneaky enough to blow by defenders and get to the rim. Just 4 of 15 from 3-point range in the last five games.

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

He’s earned the label as the team’s defensive stopper and nothing is going to change that right now. Whoever he guards Saturday is going to have a tough time scoring against the Pennsylvania native. The offense is emerging for Morton, who hit a pair of 3-pointers against PSU.

Rotational Reserves

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

What does Gillis do for an encore? Nine 3-pointers, the most by a Purdue player in Mackey Arena, and 29 points in 24 minutes is a hard act to follow. Gillis will continue to hustle and do the little things even if the shots don’t fall. Does he move into the starting lineup after Wednesday’s performance?

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

Part of a bench that’s rounding into form, contributing important minutes and providing a lift. Made at least one 3-pointer in four straight games.

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

Had a string of seven straight games of playing double-digit minutes snapped against Penn State.

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

Another solid outing for Kaufman-Renn. He scored, handed out two assists, and had one steal. Plus, he was 2-for-2 at the line.

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

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

ON INDIANA (15-7, 6-5 B1G)

• The Hoosiers were one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten before suffering a loss at Maryland on Tuesday, snapping a five-game winning streak. Indiana has clawed back into contention for a top-four finish in the conference standings after starting the league season 1-4.

• Saturday marks the 25th time Indiana has faced the No. 1 team in the country. The Hoosiers have seven wins with the last victory on Feb. 2, 2013 against Michigan.

• The Hoosiers lead the Big Ten in field goal percentage (47.2) and rank second in field goal percentage defense (41.4) in conference games, despite allowing 84 or more points in three straight losses to Iowa, Northwestern and Penn State in early January.

• Indiana’s Big Ten opponents are averaging nearly 20 free throw attempts in 11 games.

PROJECTED INDIANA LINEUPS

Forward— 23 Trayce Jackson-Davis (6-9, 245, Jr.)

Posting seven double doubles in his last eight games, Jackson-Davis is a lock for All-Big Ten first-team honors. If not for Edey, Jackson-Davis would have the inside track to win Player of the Year in the conference. He’s coming off an 18-point, 20-rebound performance at Maryland and will be a load to handle. He averaged 23 points, 14.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.4 blocks in January. Purdue will double him in the post, and that’s no surprise.

Forward — 25 Race Thompson (6-8, 235, Redshirt Sr.)

Was solid against the Boilermakers last season, totaling 18 points, 19 rebounds and no turnovers in the two games. Missed four games due to a knee injury before returning against Michigan State but hasn’t found his stride yet.

Forward— 12 Miller Kopp (6-7, 215, Sr.)

His next 3-pointer will be career No. 200 for the transfer from Northwestern. He’s a 3-point specialist who can benefit from the double teams Jackson-Davis faces by lurking on the perimeter. A tough matchup because of his size and his ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket.

Guard — 32 Trey Galloway (6-4, 203, So.)

Earned more minutes with Xavier Johnson sidelined and is dangerous enough to provide a spark. He’s averaging 8.8 points in the last five games, just enough to take pressure off Jackson-Davis and his teammates. He’s one of four players to hit at least 15 3-pointers in Big Ten play.

Guard — 1 Jalen Hood-Schifino (6-6, 213, Fr.)

Either he’s on fire from the perimeter or ice cold. Against Maryland, Hood-Schifino was cold, missing 13 of 14 field goals. Against Ohio State, he made 6 of 9 from 3-point range and 8 of 12 overall. At Minnesota, he made just 2 of 11. You get the picture. He’ll take quick shots, which benefits opposing teams but can carry the Hoosiers through stretches. Hood-Schifino has enjoyed some of his best games at home.

Bench

Forward – 5 Malik Reneau (6-9, 233, Fr.)

Guard — 53 Tamar Bates (6-5, 198, So.)

Xavier Johnson remains out with a foot injury.

LIGHTNING-ROUND TAKES

• Who will the Boilermakers leave open on the perimeter when they double Jackson-Davis? Rob Phinisee burned Purdue last year with 20 points, including the game-winner in Bloomington but he’s at Cincinnati.

• Offensive rebounds might be the difference. In Big Ten play, Purdue and Indiana rank first and second in defensive rebounds. The Boilermakers have allowed four offensive rebounds in the last two games.

Is the Edey-Jackson-Davis matchup the most intriguing individual battle in the nation Saturday? Hard to find a better one.

PREDICTION: PURDUE 69, INDIANA 64

Saturday has all the makings of a classic game in the long, storied history between the two programs. Indiana’s loss to Maryland removed a little bit of the excitement but atmosphere inside Assembly Hall will be sky-high for the No. 1 team. Road games haven’t bothered Purdue this season, posting a 7-0 record on opponents’ home floors and a 11-0 mark away from Mackey Arena. A win by the Boilermakers all but wraps up the Big Ten regular-season title and Painter’s team is likely headed in that direction regardless of Saturday’s outcome. Credit the Boilermakers for not overlooking Penn State and playing a sharp game before facing the Hoosiers.