According to Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter, this game will be vastly different than the last time the two played.
For starters, that was only the third time a new look Gonzaga team had played together in a game. And, for the Purdue basketball team, the expectations were high, but nobody really knew what to expect from a team that was reeling from another early exit in the NCAA Tournament the season before.
“I think the experience of playing them gives you a reference point, like it gives them a reference point, but I think it means very little. I don’t think either team played very well in the game. I don’t think either team shot very well in the game. So they had a lot of open looks that they normally make in that game,” Painter told the media Thursday.
Purdue (31-4) is the top seed in the Midwest bracket and looking to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1980. The Bulldogs (27-7), on the other hand, have made it to nine straight Sweet Sixteen appearances.
“Obviously excited about being here, competing. We know we have a tough opponent in Gonzaga, who we played earlier in the year. They have a great front line, great guards, just great players in general, Hall of Fame coach,” Painter said.
Purdue basketball ready to meet the Zags
Gonzaga has wins over McNeese and Kansas in the NCAA Tournament.
Leading the way for Mark Few’s team is Graham Ike, a 6-foot-9-inch junior, who averages 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds. In addition to Ike, Gonzaga boasts Anton Watson, who is averaging 14.5 points and 7.2 rebounds.
As a team, the Bulldogs have six players who average at least nine points a game. In the backcourt, Gonzaga is paced by standout Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman.
As was shown against Kansas in the second round, Gonzaga can light up the scoreboard and hit shots from anywhere on the floor. When the Bulldogs score 80-plus points, they are 21-0 and also 21-0 when shooting at least 50 percent.
Painter said Gonzaga looks different than when Purdue basketball beat them in November.
“I think they’re different in just looking at obviously how they start. Inserting (Ben) Gregg into the lineup and Anton Watson’s kind of durability and his ability to guard different people allows him to be bigger. Gregg has great size, but his skill level shooting the basketball really helps him. He’s competitive,” Painter said.
Purdue basketball’s coach said with Dusty Stromer coming off the bench, the Zags have a different look.
“He still gives them that punch off the bench when he can shoot the basketball. He goes to the glass, just like Gregg does,” Painter said.
