In the legendary movie, “Hoosiers,” coach Norman Dale told his team, “There’s a, um tradition in tournament play- not talk about the next step until you’ve climbed the one in front of you.” While the Purdue basketball team plays tonight in the Sweet Sixteen, it is hard not to wonder what it may take for the Boilermakers to get to Phoenix, site of the Final Four.
Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter was asked that very question this week, and in his answer, the veteran coach harped on several constant themes.
“For us, I think it starts with taking care of the basketball. I think a lot of times people want a good catchphrase or a cute answer. We’re 25-0 this year if we have 13 or less turnovers. That’s held true for us,” Painter said.
In addition, Purdue basketball has to continue being a great offensive rebounding team. With big man Zach Edey in the middle, the Boilermakers have to make sure it gets second chance opportunities, according to Painter.
“Overall by the numbers, we’re a great rebounding team. I think we could be better. So if you can control that possession war and then you have the first or second best three-point field goal percentage in the country and then you have Zach Edey, you just keep giving yourself a chance,” Painter said.
Painter said Purdue can give itself a chance by not only taking quality shots, but also limiting turnovers and allowing Edey to capitalize on misses around the basket.
“What I mean by keep giving yourself a chance is, if you’re taking quality shots, and now some of the — like before when we have those turnovers and it gets past that, like you just reflect back on the game when you lose and you’re just like, just get the ball up to the rim, right? Because he’s very good at soft misses. When you get long misses, that’s not him. That’s going to be a guard, right? If you take really good shots, you’re going to have more soft misses. So if you take him away from things and you want to full front him, he is in rebound position. So if you can have soft misses and you’re around him, he is in perfect position, and he’s going to get that. Or he’s great at the tap-backs,” Painter said.
Purdue basketball takes on Gonzaga tonight and would face the winner of Tennessee vs. Creighton Sunday in the Elite Eight.
In order to punch their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 1980, Painter said it comes down to a very basic thing — winning two games.
“So like from a functional standpoint for us to be able to win two games here, it’s like winning the first two games of the season for us or the two games in the middle, like nothing changes for us. Nothing changes for us from last year. We’ve just changed personnel. We’ve tried to be more efficient, and we just tried to be better at what we do,” Painter said.
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