Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO: Riveting Rivalry -- Indiana Seeks To Change Recent History Against Purdue
1/14/2021 10:55:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Trayce Jackson-Davis has felt the rivalry pain.
Now, Indiana's sophomore forward says in so many words, it's Purdue's turn.
"We have to change the culture and change history," he says about Thursday night's game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Purdue has dominated the series recently, with seven straight victories and wins in 10 of the last 11 meetings.
That includes last year's disappointment at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, when not even the return of Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight could spark an IU victory.
Jackson-Davis experienced that frustration. He wants to spare freshmen Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal, Khristian Lander and Jordan Geronimo that misery.
"They don't know what it's like to lose to them," Jackson-Davis says, "and they don't want to continue that tradition. The only way to do that is beat them."
One key is doing to Purdue what Indiana did at Nebraska on Sunday and didn't do at Wisconsin last week:
Make the key down-the-stretch plays.
"It's really about executing down the stretch and finishing these games," Jackson-Davis says. "I think we've been playing really well. We've been playing good enough to win games. But Coach (Archie Miller) said, 'You have to play good to just be in the game. You have to play great to win them.'"
Beyond the usual rivalry drama, these teams seem evenly matched. Both are 8-5 overall, 3-3 in the Big Ten. Finesse likely will have no place.
"Both teams pride themselves defensively," Miller says. Both teams try their best to have a defensive mentality.
"Purdue is a very physical team. They are getting better as the season progresses because of their depth."
The Boilers can punish inside with 6-10, 265-pound forward Trevion Williams as a starter and 7-4 freshman Zach Edey off the bench. Williams averages 15.0 points and 9.5 rebounds. Edey averages 8.8 points and 4.0 rebounds, with a team-leading 12 blocks.
"They are a team that really thrives playing inside out," Miller says. "They establish their front court players as well as any team in the country."
The Boilers also can stun you outside with three-point sharpshooters Sasha Stefanovic (35 three-pointers), Brandon Newman (20), Isaiah Thompson (14) and Eric Hunter Jr. (12). Stefanovic averages 49.3 percent from 3-point range.
"Their perimeter guys do an unbelievable job of feeding the post, but also playing off it," Miller says.
"Stefanovic is a terrific shooter. Brandon Newman has really added the three-point element. Thompson continues to be a guy that gives them a boost in certain games behind the line."
IU's edge likely comes in transition. A half-court slugfest doesn't interest Miller in any game, certainly not this one.
"We are going to try to get into transition as much as we can and be spontaneous," he says.
Beyond that, Miller says, "The big thing is for us to take care of the ball at all costs. We have to keep them off the boards as much as anything. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the country."
Attacking the rim, either by guard penetration or Jackson-Davis and forward Race Thompson relentlessness, will come with a price.
"(The Boilers) have great physicality and size," Miller says. "Everything around the rim is challenged. It makes them tough to deal with. The paint is as tough as it gets in a game when you play against these guys.
"This is a game where you have to make plays. It will come down to being able to make open shots."
IU hopes guard Armaan Franklin returns after missing the past two games with an ankle injury. Miller calls it a "game-time decision."
Franklin averages 12.7 points, but is at 18.8 points over his last five complete games. He leads the Hoosiers in 3-point shooting (47.6 percent) and in steals (15).
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Trayce Jackson-Davis has felt the rivalry pain.
Now, Indiana's sophomore forward says in so many words, it's Purdue's turn.
"We have to change the culture and change history," he says about Thursday night's game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Purdue has dominated the series recently, with seven straight victories and wins in 10 of the last 11 meetings.
That includes last year's disappointment at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, when not even the return of Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight could spark an IU victory.
Jackson-Davis experienced that frustration. He wants to spare freshmen Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal, Khristian Lander and Jordan Geronimo that misery.
"They don't know what it's like to lose to them," Jackson-Davis says, "and they don't want to continue that tradition. The only way to do that is beat them."
One key is doing to Purdue what Indiana did at Nebraska on Sunday and didn't do at Wisconsin last week:
Make the key down-the-stretch plays.
"It's really about executing down the stretch and finishing these games," Jackson-Davis says. "I think we've been playing really well. We've been playing good enough to win games. But Coach (Archie Miller) said, 'You have to play good to just be in the game. You have to play great to win them.'"
Beyond the usual rivalry drama, these teams seem evenly matched. Both are 8-5 overall, 3-3 in the Big Ten. Finesse likely will have no place.
"Both teams pride themselves defensively," Miller says. Both teams try their best to have a defensive mentality.
"Purdue is a very physical team. They are getting better as the season progresses because of their depth."
The Boilers can punish inside with 6-10, 265-pound forward Trevion Williams as a starter and 7-4 freshman Zach Edey off the bench. Williams averages 15.0 points and 9.5 rebounds. Edey averages 8.8 points and 4.0 rebounds, with a team-leading 12 blocks.
"They are a team that really thrives playing inside out," Miller says. "They establish their front court players as well as any team in the country."
The Boilers also can stun you outside with three-point sharpshooters Sasha Stefanovic (35 three-pointers), Brandon Newman (20), Isaiah Thompson (14) and Eric Hunter Jr. (12). Stefanovic averages 49.3 percent from 3-point range.
"Their perimeter guys do an unbelievable job of feeding the post, but also playing off it," Miller says.
"Stefanovic is a terrific shooter. Brandon Newman has really added the three-point element. Thompson continues to be a guy that gives them a boost in certain games behind the line."
IU's edge likely comes in transition. A half-court slugfest doesn't interest Miller in any game, certainly not this one.
"We are going to try to get into transition as much as we can and be spontaneous," he says.
Beyond that, Miller says, "The big thing is for us to take care of the ball at all costs. We have to keep them off the boards as much as anything. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the country."
Attacking the rim, either by guard penetration or Jackson-Davis and forward Race Thompson relentlessness, will come with a price.
"(The Boilers) have great physicality and size," Miller says. "Everything around the rim is challenged. It makes them tough to deal with. The paint is as tough as it gets in a game when you play against these guys.
"This is a game where you have to make plays. It will come down to being able to make open shots."
IU hopes guard Armaan Franklin returns after missing the past two games with an ankle injury. Miller calls it a "game-time decision."
Franklin averages 12.7 points, but is at 18.8 points over his last five complete games. He leads the Hoosiers in 3-point shooting (47.6 percent) and in steals (15).
Players Mentioned
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Forward
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Forward
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's BasketballGuard
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Forward
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