Game 4- at Purdue - Sunday Nov. 16th @ 7:30 pm

[clarkwgriswold]

You asked for it, so here's an early Purdue thread.

 

The Zips head to West Lafayette this Sunday to face the Boilermakers.  The Boilermakers are one of the season favorites in the Big Ten and currently at the top of most polls.  They are guard led by senior guards Fletcher Loyer (22.5 ppg) and Brendan Smith (13 ppg and 10 apg) through their two wins so far over Evansville and Oakland.  They face Alabama Thursday.

 

Here are some season previews for the Boilermakers:

https://www.btpowerhouse.com/purdue/27903/2025-26-purdue-boilermakers-basketball-season-preview

https://www.hammerandrails.com/mens-basketball/56394/purdue-basketball-season-predictions-staff-roundtable

https://bustingbrackets.com/purdue-2025-26-season-preview-for-the-boilermakers-basketball

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/24680

 

I caution you all, DO NOT OVERLOOK PENN STATE- SHENAGO!

[Illini Zip]

I plan to watch that Purdue vs Alabama game and do a little scouting.
 

I’m really excited to see how we choose to match up with them. Do we put in Barre to lean on their big centers or do we play our regular, smaller lineup and try to run on them. 

[ZipsFan31]

Purdue’s system has a weakness and it’s athleticism. When they lost to a 16 seed with Zach Edey I believe FDU’s Center  was 6’7. 
 

I think you beat them with athletic pressure and hope you shoot better than them.  still a long shot to win. But I like this match up more than Arizona last year. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 hours ago, ZipsFan31 said:

Purdue’s system has a weakness and it’s athleticism. When they lost to a 16 seed with Zach Edey I believe FDU’s Center  was 6’7. 
 

I think you beat them with athletic pressure and hope you shoot better than them.  still a long shot to win. But I like this match up more than Arizona last year. 

 

This post nails it. Purdue has and always will lack athleticism should they continue to clog the lane with unathletic giants. 

 

Barre will be used to eat fouls I presume, and I think we'll see a lot of Barre vs PSUS to get him more acclimated to what we'll need from him vs Purdue. The same can be said for Brisco as well. Purdue will probably attack inside often, so we'll be rotating the front court shifts often to keep fresh legs and limited foul trouble. 

 

Amani and Evan need to be strong and confident. Dribble drives will be our best friend whether it leads to a kick out 3 or attacking the basket. Getting their giants in foul trouble would be nice. 

 

This is a March-type game and guards win in March. Ultimately that's what will dictate our success. Do our guards protect the ball, knock down ships, and facilitate well?

 

Lastly - Big Stank is our not-so-secret weapon. He's a matchup nightmare and showed a lot if ability to get to the hoop and make the right decision vs Princeton. Need him to be big. 

 

I cannot wait for this one. We are playing with house money with the start we've had so far to the season.