After picking up the season opening win against Evanvsille, 82-51, Purdue’s season continues to its second mid-major of the season, a match-up with Oakland on Friday night. Oakland’s season started off against another Big Ten team, Michigan, who it lost big to, 121-78 on Monday. For Purdue, not even should wins game come without some pressure and some narrative. The #1 Boilermakers are contending with a national narrative that shifted from title favorites to possible disappointments again in March
when overreactions circled around after Purdue lost a road exhibition game against Kentucky a couple weeks ago.
But past perceptions of the team, Purdue is trying to secure its spot and position to take a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament that ends in its backyard in Indianapolis. As well, personal accolades and accomplishments are stacking up for Purdue’s three senior starters.
Fletcher Loyer got things rolling with his first 30 point game of his career against Evansille. A brilliant showcase of Loyer’s ability to be efficient, doing his damage on just 11 shots, making 7 of his 10 three-point attempts.
But a throughline throughout the season will be Braden Smith and his chase for the all-time assists record. After an 11 assist game in Purdue’s first outting, Smith is just 307 assists shy of Bobby Hurley’s all-time number.
But it wasn’t all record break watching and three-point making. One of Purdue’s three seniors had to sit out the first game with a hip injury.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue’s second All-American, missed the season opener with a hip pointer like injury according to Matt Painter. When talking about Kaufman-Renn’s status long term, Painter didn’t seem worried. Still, Painter wasn’t sure if Kaufman-Renn would be back for Fridays game. That’s notable, perhaps not for the outcome on Friday – Jack Benter’s 11 point, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block first career game was a highlight of the night for Purdue – but because Purdue’s trip to take on Alabama looms next week. Purdue would like to continue to work on the chemistry between its new big man Oscar Cluff and Kaufman-Renn.
But first, Purdue will hope to handle business again against an outmatched Oakland squad.
Oakland’s zone
Against Michigan, Oakland’s zone bended, warped, and left giant openings on the perimeter for Michigan to methodically disintegrate any hope of Oakland winning or keeping Michigan’s offense in check.
Purdue won’t be as prolific – it played one of the slowed paced games of the season on Tuesday – but it will be efficient.
Michigan shot 19 of 35 from three against Oakland, getting open looks from three at will.
Purdue’s Braden Smith and bevvy of perimeter passers should have a field day, driving, or moving the ball around to shift a zone defense that looked rough to start the season.
Purdue was 13-29 from three in its season opener.
Depth issues and small back courts could mean leverage for Purdue’s bigs
Oakland starts and plays a 5-11 guard, Brody Robinson, who offensively makes Oakland work, but will be put to the test on the defensive end. Smith will run Robinson through screens off and on ball, and Purdue’s bigs will look to attack and create a lot of space..
Oakland played just 8 players against Michigan, with four of its five starters playing 32 or more minutes.
Oakland’s best size is Tuburu Naivalurua at 6-8, 240, and only spot player, Nate Deer, offers any more height in the ititial rotation at 6-10. The rest of Oakland’s squad comprise decent sized wings between 6-6 and 6-8.
That will mean interesting matchups for Purdue on the perimeter, but inside, Oscar Cluff, Daniel Jacobsen, and Trey Kaufman-Renn (If he plays) will have size advantages inside. The zone will try to keep the ball from this, but Purdue’s PJ Thompson has always been good at still getting his big man touches against the zone.
It should also mean that if Jack Benter does have to fill in again, he won’t be suffering for size down low with post bangers.
Purdue’s offense gets a chance to shine
It was an encouraging start to the season for Purdue. Jack Benter shined. Omer Mayer got his feet wet. Oscar Cluff looked like the rebounding menace promised from South Dakota State, and Purdue’s two seniors did what they did.
But Oakland should be a good chance for all of the offense to get going. CJ Cox didn’t attempt a shot in the season opener. Gicarri Harris was 1 of 6 from the field. Daniel Jacobsen was just 4 of 10 from the floor.
Against Oakland, a team that doesn’t particularly pressure the ball and leaves shooters open, Purdue should have ample opportunity to get some baskets to go in ahead of a tough road trip next week.
