LEXINGTON, Kent. — Purdue basketball knew Kentucky’s length and athleticism would create defensive problems in Friday’s exhibition.
The Boilermakers walked out of the 78-65 loss frustrated with their performance. Without an in-depth scouting report, the matchup tested their ability to follow defensive principles and fundamentals.
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Braden Smith was not satisfied with the grade Purdue earned — and recognized who can help raise it.
“We still have rules,” Smith said. “No matter if we go over it or not, we still know what we’re doing and how to guard certain actions that they run.
“Starting with me – personally, I feel like I’ve got to be a little bit better. Everyone says it’s just an exhibition and it doesn’t matter, but it’s an eye-opener as well.”
Smith’s defensive development last season was one of the more underrated aspects of his All-America season.
He recorded three steals in Friday’s second half against three different Kentucky ball handlers. One, which may have been credited to him incorrectly off a loose ball, led to a missed transition 3 by Omer Mayer. The other two takeaways turned into a Trey Kaufman-Renn bucket and two Fletcher Loyer free throws off a shooting foul.
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Smith’s steal percentage jumped from 2.5 as a freshman to 2.7 as a sophomore to 3.5 last season. (In Big Ten games, it was 3.8.) He’s an instinctive defensive player who has learned to better time his gambles.
Could those steal numbers take another jump now that the approach he honed last season is backed up by Daniel Jacobsen’s rim protection and Oscar Cluff’s additional presence under the basket?
Many opponents could take the Houston approach and limit Smith with persistent harassment. When the point guard turns defense into offense, he takes that option off the table.
The accountability Smith took, though, had more to do with Kentucky’s dribble penetration and ability to get the ball into the paint. That was an area of concern coming in. Friday only reinforced the issue.
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“I’m not worried about us offensively — we missed some shots,” coach Matt Painter said. “But defensively I am, and that’s where he has to show better leadership, along with our other older guys, and do a better job on the defensive end.”
Which Purdue basketball guard played an underrated game off the bench vs. Kentucky?
Painter picked C.J. Cox as the third starting guard with Smith and Loyer in part because the sophomore’s split squads won so much in practice. He acknowledged that probably came as a disappointment to Gicarri Harris, who had done everything necessary in the preseason to reclaim the starting lineup spot he held to start last season.
Yet that also meant Harris returned to a familiar, if not completely fulfilling, role off the bench. He reached 20 minutes only three times after Jan. 1, and only once in the final 13 games. Yet he became a more reliable shooter and more impactful rebounder while learning to maximize those diminished minutes.
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His increased offensive confidence showed Friday night. He leaned in for one first-half basket and completed a fast break with an and-one layup for another. His defense on Denzell Aberdeen in the final minute helped force a 30-second violation. His offensive rebound at the other end provided a second chance to chip into the deficit.
He played only 15 minutes as Painter worked to find minutes for Loyer (31), Cox (24), Harris, Mayer (13) and Antione West Jr. (three). Cox’s fit with the other starting four gives him an edge for now. Harris provided a small glimpse of the reasons why he might be on the floor to close out games which matter.
Insider: Purdue basketball’s No. 1 ranking doesn’t matter to Matt Painter because ‘we have real problems’
How did Purdue basketball’s centers play vs. Kentucky?
There should not have been much question about the first option at center this season. Painter saw a significant rebounding need. He signed Cluff, second nationally in rebounding percentage last season. There’s your starter.
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Cluff played 22 of the center minutes, with Jacobsen handling the other 18. As Cluff went to the free throw line after being fouled in the act of shooting early in the game, Painter gestured to the floor while talking to Jacobsen on the bench. These 40 center minutes will remain a marriage of contrasts — Cluff’s 6-foot-11 brute force contrasted by Jacobsen’s 7-4 versatility.
Cluff played a key role in the Boilers’ surge to open the second half. He collected three defensive rebounds, blocked an Otega Oweh jumper and assisted on a layup by Kaufman-Renn.
Jacobsen matched Cluff’s five rebounds, though unlike the starter, he was more involved offensively. Other than Loyer, he was the only Boiler to hit a 3-pointer on a 3-for-17 night. He left a lob dunk from Smith on the rim — part of a roster-wide struggle to finish — and scored nine points.
For the game that’s 10 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists. Most nights, that will come with better than 12.5% 3-point shooting from the rest of the team. Jacobsen also led the team in box plus-minus at plus-4, for what that’s worth.
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Depending on foul trouble, this might remain a more or less equal time share. As was the case with other Purdue big man tandems of the past decade, the goal is to convert twin towers — even non-identical ones — into the best 40 minutes possible.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball defense lacks, Braden Smith accountable, in loss at UK
