First place in the Big Ten Conference will be on the line today when the second ranked Purdue basketball team tips off against sixth ranked Wisconsin in the Kohl Center.
The Badgers enter at 16-5 overall, 8-2 in the Big Ten after suffering a road loss at Nebraska. Purdue, on the other hand, comes in ranked second in the nation and with a 20-2 overall, 9-2 Big Ten mark and needed overtime to get past Northwestern the last time out.
Purdue coach Matt Painter did not mince words this week when meeting with the media ahead of today’s clash about how good Wisconsin is.
“They have a lot of weapons. Any one of their starters can have a career night. Sometimes you know if you can shut these two guys down, you can beat them. That’s not the case with Wisconsin. They have a lot of weapons,” Painter said.
Boiler Wire takes a look at three keys to a Purdue victory today.
Purdue Needs to Own the Perimeter
While both teams are dominant on the inside, look for this one to become a three point shooting contest early. Offensively, Purdue has the likes of Mason Gilles, Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer who can all get hot behind the arc. Defensively, however, the Boilermakers have to do a job of defending Wisconsin, who enters shooting almost 40 percent from behind the arc since the calendar rolled to the new year. Purdue cannot afford to let the likes of Max Klesmet, who hit three three pointers at Nebraska, and Chucky Hepburn go off from behind the arc. Purdue has to play its defense, defend the perimeter and force the Badgers to go inside.
Purdue Needs to Control AJ Storr
Trust us, AJ Storr already has Matt Painter’s attention. The veteran Purdue coach said as much this week when he was heaping praise onto Storr, who transferred from St. John’s and is averaging 16.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.
“Storr gives them someone who can score the basketball. They have people who can score the basketball, but he gives them one more. He can make threes, can make pullups and get to the basket,” Painter said.
Purdue has to force the issue with Storr. They have to get the ball out of his hands, limit his ability to drive the lane and get baskets. The Boilermakers have to force Storr to distribute the basketball and make someone else beat them. Now with that said, the defense has to transition over to avoid other players going off as well. Storr will get his points, but he cannot be the reason why Purdue loses.
Purdue Needs to Protect the Basketball
Another game, another consistent theme from us. If there is one thing about Wisconsin, the Badgers like to get after you and play tough defense. This will be no different, especially in front of what promises to be a loud crowd. Turnovers cannot be a thing for the Boilermakers if they are going to leave Madison with a win. As Painter has said, if Purdue can protect the basketball and get quality shots and possessions, one has to like Purdue’s chances.
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