Purdue’s season starts in earnest as it takes to its first road test against the #8 Alabama Crimson Tide.
After a ho hum 2-game start, the preseason #1 team in the country dropped to #2 despite not losing a game. Purdue struggled with mid-major Oakland at home, winning by just ten at home.
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While Alabama has already collected a statement win, traveling to St. John’s and winning 103-96.
But help is on the way for Purdue. Purdue played its first two games without All-American big man Trey Kaufman-Renn. TKR announced earlier this week that he’ll make his season debut against an Alabama team he had 26 points and 8 rebounds against last year.
For Alabama, a star-studded back court and fast pace has made them one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses, but Purdue’s Braden Smith still leads the best offense in the country.
Will Alabama’s home court be the difference as two teams vy to make an early statement that it’s the best team in the country?
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Contrasting Styles
While both offenses are some of the most efficient in the country, Purdue does its damage in the half court where Braden Smith orchestrates one of the most efficient offense units in the last decade.
For Alabama, a pair of guards, Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway, lead the way for one of the nation’s quickest paced teams in the country.
Both guards are averaging over 20 points a game.
Alabama’s perimeter players are elite drivers of the basketball, a particular struggle of Purdue’s during Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer’s tenure at Purdue. But Alabama is also an offense that plays with a green light. Will it bail out Purdue’s defense with quick, good but not great shots? Or will Alabama’s ability to get to the rim have Purdue’s defense dying in help and rotation?
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Forgotten man?
Purdue got an early hit at the poll, dropping from #1 just a week into the season despite winning both its games.
While Purdue has not looked at top form yet, it seems an easy explanation could be missing its All-American forward, Trey Kaufman-Renn, who led Purdue in scoring last year and moves back to the four this season.
Kaufman-Renn dealt with a hip injury and missed the first two games of the season. Now, healthy, Purdue adds an All-American and one of the best post presences in the country to Kenpom’s most efficient offense that looked deadly in the first two games.
Is it possible that Purdue’s biggest flaw from the first week was simply missing its second best player?
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Can Purdue’s size overwhelm?
In Purdue’s wins over Alabama in the last two seasons, Purdue’s big men carried the way.
Alabama’s guards and Purdue’s have shined, but it was Purdue’s advantage inside that helped the Boilers go 2-0 in those two games. It also helps that Purdue hosted at Mackey Arena last season.
But once again Purdue’s big men look superior on paper with the addition of Oscar Cluff and return of Daniel Jacobsen. Jack Benter has been impressive filling in for Trey Kaufman-Renn in the first two games, but Kaufman-Renn brings a much needed post presence.
Still the match with Cluff inside has not been clean through exhibition. It was clear the two big men are used to thriving in the same space and it struggled to function against Kentucky on the road. Will the two be able to iron out issues without having gotten to play together the first two games of the season?
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All eyes on Purdue’s defense
Purdue’s only concern on paper is its defense and rebounding. Both of those will get tested against Alabama on the road.
Alabama has some of the best attacking guards in the country and has rebounded well to start the season. In particular, wing Amari Allen has grabbed 8.5 rebounds a game in 28 minutes a game.
Purdue was out rebounded by ten against Oakland at home in its second game of the season.
If Purdue is going to pull off the road win it’ll need a more dedicated and even effort on the glass from the jump. Purdue’s big man rotation is still up in the air, and on Thursday, expect whoever battles on the glass to be the one out there at the end of the game.
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While Alabama is great at getting to the rim, it hasn’t shot the ball well from three. With how quick Alabama is to shoot, Purdue’s going to need to end possessions whenever the Roll Tide miss.
Purdue will need to win the rebounding battle or get close to win on the road.
