As everyone in the college basketball world knows, Purdue is a team built around the premise that defense is the utmost priority and offense comes as a result of defensive stops. So, when our Boilers allowed 41 in the first half, we should have known that it'd be tough sledding from there...and it was.
Coming into the game, I thought Purdue would struggle handling Iverson, Sampson and Mbakwe, but I thought Purdue's four-headed defensive monster of LewJack, Barlow, Smith and Moore would be able to shut down the Golden Gophers guards. That wasn't the case as Hofharber dominated from the perimeter and Nolen chipped in 13/8.
Just as in the Richmond game in which Purdue gave up 41 in a half, and allowed an opposing guard to dictate the pace of the game, Purdue got away from what makes them great. And, in both cases the loss felt nearly-inevitable in the closing minutes.
We said it months ago, as the media beat the drum that Purdue needed a third scorer- Purdue has had the third scorer all-along. It's a committee of players- one night it'll be Smith, one night Jackson steps up, perhaps it's Barlow another it might be TJohn. Purdue can count on the Big 2...but the third is important for a successful season.
But wait, we've now seen three straight games in which Smooge has significantly fallen off in points production. In the PSU, Iowa and Minny games, he's averaged 6.7 points/game (his season average was nearly 20 before this stretch). Granted, he's still rebounding well and distributing, but as we all knew coming into the season, he's very important for Purdue on the offensive end. Purdue faired quite well in Empty Valley and at home v. Iowa, but it took Ryne Smith playing at an out-of-this-world level. Matty and co. simply can't expect that...but they should be able to expect Moore to consistently score. The biggest concern for me is that when he's not scoring, Moore doesn't seem to try to create contact and get to the line. Tonight, he had 0 free throw attempts.
We've seen this before, by the way. Last season, he had a stretch in which he just went cold...that happens for shooters, let's just hope this stretch is over. On the positive side of his game, he led the team with 7 assists.
And it wasn't all negative for our Boilers. Purdue won the rebounding battle, yet again, LewJack played at a fast pace and created problems for Minnesota. He finished with 15 points on 4 of 8 shooting, had 7 rebounds and dealt out 5 assists (while going 6 for 6 from the free throw line). TJohn looked good in stretches, played great defense and finished with 8 points. Smith came back down to earth, but wasn't getting any space on the perimeter. As teams take away the three from Smith and Moore, it should open up the middle for the drive and give JJ opportunities.
And JJ, once again, took advantage. He finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks and was 5 for 5 from the stripe. What J and I question most from Johnson coming into this season, his will, has been not been in doubt. He's played tough, especially when facing 7 footers. His ability to make perimeter jumpers and post up creates problems that most big men simply cannot match.
Games like this are good for a team- to go into a hostile environment, not have things go your way, and play a game that can be won in the final minutes. The problem is, Purdue seemed completely unable to finish. On the last possession, before calling a timeout, Purdue's guards looked like the Globetrotters as they ran a weave and dribbled around at the top of the key. Without a confident Moore, there seemed to be no one who wanted to, or more importantly, was able to take the ball and win the game.
If I wanted to, I could focus on some of the most-inconsistent, one-sided officiating I've seen this season, that we witnessed tonight in the Barn. But, as we all know, that's part of the equation in the BT. These showy buffoons in black and white clown costumes love lathering up a home crowd. With dramatic hand signals that mean nothing, anticipatory whistles and overly-emphatic change of possession pointing, these guys are simply awful at what they were hired to do. But, if you rely on officials in any way to aid your success as a team, you're going to lose a lot of games.
Matty's boys simply must learn how to win the close game if they want to win the BT, get a high seed and end their season in Houston.
Next up, Purdue plays an odd out-of-conference road game against the unlikable Bob Huggins-coached WVU Mountaineers at 1:30 on Sunday on CBS.
11 comments:
Tough night. Like the new background.
P.S. I've read that Hope & Co. lost Marcus Caffey to KY. REALLY bad night.
You're dead on about Smooge. If he's not shooting well he still needs to get to the line. That's kind of important at the next level too...
Great summary. Just one of those nights. Minnesota was a desperate team that was underperforming to this point. With an average Smooge, the Boilers win this hands down.
I hate saying it but this one is on smooge. It's one thing to have off nights with shooting, but he had one horrible turnover that lead to points and missed about the easiest layup you can imagine. 4 pt swing right there. All game long I kept thinking to myself how slow he looked; it looked like he had trouble dribbling and running at same time. Is he sick or something??
Did no one on our coaching staff know that Hoffarber was a sharpshooter? It seemed like we waited until he hit his 5th three until we decided to guard him behind the arc.
Someone mentioned that the referees last night were from the Big East. If that's true, how do Big East referees do a game against two top 25 Big Ten teams? I have heard of single referees doing games in multiple conferences but I don't think I've ever heard of a whole crew being from a different conference.
@ QuadBioler: No, at least two are old time Big Ten officials.
I would agree that this one was on Smooge; however, I fail to understand having Byrd out there right now. He is what Barlow was last year: An offensive liability. He can't shoot, he can't pass, he can't move.
Travis Carroll should've played more...
But even with all that, Minny played lights out, and our leading scorer senior failed to produce. That will nearly always lead to a loss in the Big Ten.
PS - I though the officiating was poor, but equally both ways.
I've heard the gripe about Byrd a lot recently- So what do you suggest Painter does?
The guy is one of the only players on the team able to play defense in the blocks. Outside of JJ, no one is better on the team.
Are you suggesting going four guard most of the time? Carroll, while improving, simply isn't ready to play 25+/night.
I disagree somewhat. The mistake was made earlier in the season by the coaching staff. Carroll was obviously needed this season. He should've been getting more PT earlier. I would also say that he is ready enough for when we need him.
Byrd is obviously hurting and can't shoot. He isn't good enough on defense in my mind to offset his offensive woes.
For me he is a role player until he heals. TJ should've had more of his minutes. Moreover, having Byrd out there when we had to have a 3 to tie the game was unbelievable. I'd seriously have Dru or Bubba out there at this point over Byrd for a three.
@ Mark - you clearly missed the line in that stated "Purdue is a team built around the premise that defense is the utmost priority and offense comes as a result of defensive stops"...Byrd hustle all over the court and defense on AND off ball are tremendous. Would you have said "Chris Kramer isn't good enough on defense in my mind to offset his offensive woes."? I didn't think so...Byrd isn't Chris Kramer, but in only his second season, he is clearly trying to find those footsteps.
I don't put this whole game on Smooge, but I agree he should have been amped up for this game like JJ. He just couldn't find the bottom the basket. There should be NO lack of motivation from here on out for him.
I do think Carroll should have played more at the beginning of the season to be ready for a game like Minny. He did good things while on the court, but primarily cause JJ had 3-4 defenders on him around the rim.
Is it just me, or does it seem we get a lot of potential passes slapped away for break-aways by the opposition? I have not seen Purdue do this to the opponent in quite awhile, yet it happens to us a few times a game while we are passing the ball around the perimeter (usually during a critical stretch of the game). Is there some reason for this?
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