Common Denominators in Purdue’s 4 Losses

#11 seed NC State will look to pull of yet another upset in the NCAA Tournament tomorrow night, as the Wolfpack look to take down #1 seed Purdue.

Purdue is 33-4 on the year. What have been common denominators in the Boilermakers’ 4 losses?

Limit Purdue’s Guards

More than likely Zach Edey is going to get his points. In the Boilermakers’ 4 losses, Edey averaged 25 points per game. Your best bet is to keep him off the free throw line. In two of their losses, he shot less than 10 free throws.

If you shutting down Edey isn’t the key to victory, then stopping the Boilermakers’ trio of guards is.

Purdue has 3 guards that average double figures: Braden Smith (12.2), Lance Jones (11.8) and Fletcher Loyer (10.6). These guys get most of their points shooting from three. Loyer shoots 44.1% from three, and 47.1% of his shots have been from beyond the arc. Smith shoots 43.9% from three, and 33.2% of his shots have been from beyond the arc. Jones shoots 35.5% from deep, but shoots more long balls than anyone else, shooting 59.8% from three.

In the Wolfpack’s 4 victories in the NCAA Tournament, they have done an incredible job playing on-the-ball defense, aren’t gambling in the passing lanes, and are switching well. Their opponents have been gunning it from three, but are shooting a miserable 23.9% from deep.

On the year, Purdue is shooting an incredible 40.8% from three. In their 4 losses, they shot 33.8%.

Prevent the guard trio from lighting it up from deep, and this game is winnable.

Opponents Turnovers

In the Boilermakers’ 4 losses, they weren’t able to force their opponents to turn the ball over, averaging only 5.5 forced turnovers.

NC State ranks 12th in college basketball in turnovers committed, turning the ball over only 9.5 times per game.

Turnovers

Purdue averaged 14.75 turnovers in their 4 losses. On the year, the Boilermakers average 11.3.