Couldn’t find a thread on this and maybe I missed it. Which is likely. Last night I watched a very entertaining high level basketball game of contrasting styles, #2 ranked Purdue at #8 ranked Alabama. Purdue won 87-80. The difference in offensive philosophy was quite apparent. Purdue worked the ball and looked to go inside in the paint but also would take a three in the flow of the offense. Alabama pretty much lived and died by the three and final stats showed it. In the game, Alabama took 66 shots, 44 of which were three pointers. They made 16. Purdue also took 66 shots, but only 21 were threes and they made 9. My preference is how Purdue plays. And I think that is the style Coach Steele is now emphasizing as well. Do we have Purdue’s inside size? No. But we have decent size for a mid major and have the ability to run an offense very similar to what Matt Painter does. And do it effectively. Which is what we do. We take threes but within the confines of the offense. Steele has even talked about getting more paint touches and more FT attempts. Braden Smith by the way is a perfect example of a great college player, whose skill and talents might not translate well to the NBA beyond a backup, but what a terrific college player. Anyway, a very fun high level game to watch. Hopefully others got a chance to see it.
I assume you meant Braden Smith. Yes, I love the way he plays. A true Indiana grown baller.
Yes, Braden. Thanks. Fixed it above.
He is definitely living up to the national player of the year hype. The dude can really ball.
And Trey Kaufman-Renn was back for his first action of the year. Another pre-season all B10 player who can play both inside and out. I was also impressed with true freshman Omer Mayer in his 17 minutes, playing both PG and off guard. 6’4” 215 pounds, powerfully built. Not Braden Smith yet, but he definitely shows potential. And Purdue has now had a 7 footer on the roster for 13 straight years. Painter has a formula and it works.
Mayer is from Maccabi Tel Aviv, a Euroleague power, so he’s already played against grown men. His ceiling is much higher than Smith, who I think will find his way onto a NBA roster.
Purdue is good, but I’m not sure they have the athleticism to make it to the Final 4. The Alabama win was impressive, but their ceiling is limited given the way they play.
One player that’s caught my eye so far is Mikel Brown Jr. from Louisville. He showed a lot of game against Kentucky. Granted, Kentucky isn’t the greatest defensive team, but Brown showed a lot of versatility.
Last night was completely opposite of how both teams have played so far this year. Purdue had been getting bullied in the pain and settling for outside shots. With TKR back that REALLY helps. And Alabama is usually more inside but they were on fire from 3.
Purdue feels like such an anachronistic team in this day and age. And they are getting another 7 footer coming in next year as well. Chinese I believe.
I think, given that Purdue has TKW in addition to the 7 footer, that they can overcome the lack of athleticism. That short roll is just devastating with Wren. If Painter is ever going to win the natty after Edey, I think this is the year.
Potentially. I’m trying to take their Oakland game with a grain of salt, they weren’t fully healthy. But their perimeter guys were beaten off the dribble more than I would’ve expected, especially after Michigan beat them by 43 and now Houston beat them by 33.
I’m not sure they have to be great (or even good) defensively when their offense is clicking.
Best player on Purdue’s women’s team arguably is an Israeli as well, 5’8” freshman Hila Karsh. She apparently just had a meet and greet with the Jewish Federation of Lafayette and she and Purdue gave them a bunch of free tickets for the Miami game 11/23. (My mom is a retired Purdue professor and my sister and her family live in Lafayette. My nephew just graduated from Purdue.) I look forward to her and Tamar guarding one another!
I wonder if she and Tamar played together at any point.