This one is coming out…a bit late, but life happens fast and things get in the way at times. BUT, late is better than never and the win against Maryland hopefully helped Purdue get itself back on track.
The Boilers traveled out east and on that trip Fletcher Loyer seemingly found his 3pt shot and that bodes well for the Boilers as they head into the most difficult stretch of their schedule. Purdue’s 30 point win was a welcome one to end their three game losing streak that kept them in the race for the B1G title, if they can continue to improve.
Advertisement
Let’s get into the numbers!
29
Loyer returned to his old ways in a big, big way. The senior guard went 9-14 from the floor overall and 7-10 from behind the arc to go for a game leading 29 points. That’s more points combined than Loyer had scored in the 4 games prior (26) and the first time he had cracked the twenty point mark since the game at Wisconsin. He was just one point shy of his career high mark of 30 that he set earlier this year in game one against Oakland and has 13 games of 20 or more in his career.
6
With 6 assists against Maryland, Braden moved into a tie for ninth all time with 954 career assists. That move places him alongside Kansas’ Aaron Miles (2002-2005) and just 122 behind the all time record. It’s looking like Smith will need some of those big games again if he wants to get ahead of the pace needed to get there without a deep run in the NCAA Tourney.
Advertisement
Here is where Smith would need to be:
12 games (Minimum games left): 10.2
14 games (Two additional games): 8.71
16 games: (Four additional games): 7.63
18 games: (BTT Final & Final Four): 6.78
5
Obviously Smith’s attack on the all time assists record is taking the lead for the senior point guard, but this one is pretty remarkable as well. With his made three in the first half that gave him eight points in the first half, Smith became just the 5th player in NCAA history to record 1,700 points and 950 assists over their careers. That’s a remarkable achievement and one that eventually travel with him to the College Basketball Hall of Fame eventually.
18
With their 18 assists as a team, Purdue now has 440 total on the season. That’s an average of exactly 20 per game for the season and on pace to break the season team record of 720 by game 36. That would mean they would need five additional games at the pace they are currently at to break that mark. Purdue seems to be at their best when the ball is moving on the offensive end and it isn’t simply relying on one on one matchups to beat opponents.
Advertisement
11
Purdue had struggled rebounding the ball over the last several games and it seemed CMP had attributed that mostly to a lack of focus and effort. That wasn’t the case today. Purdue outrebounded Maryland 37-26 for a +11 advantage on the glass. When Purdue is giving that type of effort to crash the glass, it seemingly carries over to every other part of their game.
TKR led that charge with 10 rebounds and that is the most he has had in the last six games. Effort on the glass, led by TKR, seems to be the gauge we can monitor Purdue’s success this season.
7.2
David Coit is one of the better scorers in the B1G and came into the game against Purdue averaging 15.2 points per game. In fact, the 5’11 point guard scored an average of 24.75 over the last four games while going for 43 against Penn State. Against Purdue, however, it was a different story.
Advertisement
Purdue was able to use their bigger guards to frustrate Coit into difficult shots and to keep him out of the lane, something they had struggled with for several games. Coit ended up with only 8 points, 7.2 below his season average and nearly 17 below his average over that four game stretch.
15
Purdue has some of the best shooters in the country and their shooting from behind the arc has shown that largely all season. Last season, Purdue hit double digits eleven times with their makes behind the arc but with their season high of 15 against Maryland the Boilers have nearly hit that mark already. In 22 games so far this season, Purdue has made double-digit threes ten times already.
The game against Maryland was the first where it seemed like the shooting load was being spread for everyone but many feel there is still more in the tank. Last season, Purdue his 19 against Nebraska and 18 against Rutgers so the ability is there. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Purdue gets to that mark or better this season.
Advertisement
1700 & 950
As the season continues on, Braden Smith continues to achieve more and more incredible feats. This time against Maryland, he joined a very elite club of 1700 points and 950 assists. That club is just four players in the history of college basketball, joining Bobby Hurley (Duke), Greg Anthony (UNLV), Keith Jennings (East Tennessee State), and Sherman Douglas (Syracuse).
Smith also joined the short list of the Bob Cousy Award mid-season watch list and seemingly is the leader at the halfway point.
