The Hoosier State of Indiana is known for its basketball and when the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers meet up on the hardwood, it is for state supremacy.
Lately, as in the past three matchups, the Boilermakers have the upper hand on the Hoosiers, but currently, Indiana is tied atop the Big Ten with Iowa, which makes the only scheduled meeting between the two teams that much more important.
Last Time Out
The Hoosiers didn't have much trouble Wednesday night putting Nebraska in their back pocket and pulling out a 16 point win. The Hoosiers trailed for most of the first half, but a big run for Indiana led by Troy Williams gave them a comfortable advantage and the victory.
As for Purdue, they had a bit more of a battle against Northwestern at home on Tuesday night. They outrebounded Northwestern by nearly 23 and pulled out a soild 10 point victory. Northwestern hund around, but Purdue was able to put them away late and get a win on their home floor.
Scouting Report: Purdue
Purdue sits at 9-5 in the Big Ten and 17th in the AP Poll. Coach Matt Painter's crew is 2-2 in their last four games and are looking to get some consistency heading into the Big Ten tournament and the final stretch of the season.
When you look at this Boilermakers team, the size is what jumps off of the page. Purdue has three seven-footers in AJ Hammons, Isaac Haas, and freshman Caleb Swanigan. All three average close to 10 points per game and they bring some tough matchups for opposing teams. Hammons leads the team in points with 14.6 per game to go along with 8.2 rebounds per game. Swanigan who also cracks the starting five as a freshman 9.7 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.
When you have those three seven-footers, the guard play on this team is overshadowed, but they are the ones that propel this Purdue team. Vince Edwards and Rapheal Davis are two solid Big Ten guards who will give the Hoosiers fits. Edwards is the second leading scorer with 10.1 points per game and averages a team high 3.0 assists per game. As for Davis, the numbers may not suggest that he is a solid shooter at just 41 percent, but if you look at his stats versus Michigan State, those would say otherwise. He averages 9.2 points per game.
Also in the starting five is PJ Thompson who averages just 5.4 points per game and is in a rotation with bench players Ryan Cline, Johnny Hill, and Dakota Mathias. No one averages more than 28.9 minutes per game which means that this team goes deep into their bench and have some good depth as well.
Purdue can score the basketball effectively with 77.3 points per game, but lock down on the defensive side of the floor giving up just 63.5 points per game good for 17th in the country. With that size, you would expect a lot of rebounds, and that is just the case as they average 42.3 rebounds per game good for 5th in the country. When you play Purdue, you have to match their physicality.
What Indiana Has To Do
Indiana can score the basketball and do it quite well, and against Purdue, they will have to do just that. Because they are outmatched down low, they will have to be able to stretch the defense and the only way to do that is to hit your shots at a high rate.
Thomas Bryant will sure have his hands full, and the freshman will have to bring it with those three seven-footers. That calls on players like Troy Williams, who is coming off of a big game, along with guys like Collin Hartman and Max Bielfeldt to give the Hoosiers good minutes off of the bench.
The player that needs to get it back on track for the Hoosiers is Yogi Ferrell. He has really been struggling with his shot as of late and if Indiana wants to have success against a good Purdue team, the senior most likely needs to have a big game.
The Hoosiers haven't beaten Purdue in the last three meetings including last year on their home floor which will give them that little extra bit of motivation in a game Indiana needs to have to keep their spot at the top of the Big Ten.
What To Expect
With any rivalry game, you have to expect an emotional, hard fought game, and that is exactly what this game will give you. These teams don't like each other very much and Purdue would want nothing more than to knock Indiana off of their perch atop the Big Ten.
KenPom sees a Hoosiers victory by a score of 74-70 with a 64 percent chance of a win. When these two teams met last year at Assembly Hall, it was a four-point Purdue win and it wouldn't be a surprise if it is that close this time around.
The Hoosiers haven't lost this season at Assembly Hall, and this will be a tough matchup for Indiana who doesn't matchup with the size of Purdue. What Indiana does do well is score and especially at home which is a great way to neutralize that size. It will be a great display of basketball Saturday night at Assembly Hall.
Prediction:
Indiana 78, Purdue 75
Game Info:
Tip off is scheduled for 8:30 pm EST on ESPN (Bob Wischusen & Dan Dakich) at Assembly Hall.