Saturday, February 4
Bloomington, Ind.
4:00 PM
Indiana University
vs
Purdue
Anticipation – Stakes High When IU Hosts Top-Ranked Purdue
2/4/2023 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Top-ranked Purdue comes to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, and anticipation builds.
Trey Galloway can't wait.
"It's special," the junior guard says. "It's a rivalry like none other. The atmosphere is great.
"They're No. 1 for a reason. We have to stick to our game plan. It will be a tussle, but also fun. We should enjoy it."
Purdue comes to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, and anticipation builds.
Mike Woodson can't wait.
"I'm anxious to see where we are against the No 1 team in the nation," the coach says.
A red-out is planned for a game with major Big Ten and national implications, and Hoosier Nation can't wait.
"This game means a lot to a lot of people," Galloway says. "There are a lot of emotions. A lot of ups and downs. You have to stay in the moment, know the task at hand and find a way to win."
First, a few numbers.
Purdue is 22-1 overall, 11-1 in the Big Ten with a seven-game road winning streak. It has won nine straight since a one-point home loss to Rutgers to build a three-and-half-game conference race lead over Illinois and Rutgers. It has held 24 straight opponents to less than 70 points, and ranks second in the Big Ten in defense (60.3 points allowed) and third in three-point defense (30.4 percent).
The No. 21/22 Hoosiers are 15-7 and 6-5. They are 11-1 at home, and have won five of their last six games. They are second in the Big Ten in scoring (77.5 points) and three-point shooting (38.0 percent), and have four players shooting at least 41.4 percent from three-point range -- Galloway (51.4 percent), Miller Kopp (43.7), Jalen Hood-Schifino (41.8) and Tamar Bates (41.4).
That both teams are ranked adds the kind of national intrigue that was common when Bob Knight and Gene Keady dominated the conference in the 1980s and '90s.
IU is 11-5 when both teams are ranked. The last time it happened was in 2016, when No. 21 Indiana beat No. 16 Purdue 77-73.
"It's the biggest game in the state of Indiana," Woodson says.
He should know. He faced Purdue multiple times during his IU playing days. He says the Boilers recruited him, and he set up a visit, but changed his mind after Knight offered.
"I canceled it at the last minute based on my conversation with Coach Knight. Indiana is home for me. It's where I always wanted to go."
The teams split two games last season, each winning at home -- IU by three points, Purdue by two. The Boilers had won the previous nine meetings.
"We're going to have to make shots to keep them honest," Woodson says, "but our defense has got to be a signature. We're going to have to defend and rebound with this team."
Perhaps the season's most highly anticipated individual matchup will feature 6-9 Trayce Jackson-Davis of IU against 7-4 Zach Edey of Purdue.
Many national experts list Edey as the national player of the year favorite, but Jackson-Davis's month-long surge gives him a shot.
Edey has 18 double-doubles this season and averages 22.0 points and 13.0 rebounds. He's blocked 47 shots.
Jackson-Davis averages 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds, but for the month of January it was 23.0 points, 14.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.4 blocks. He has 58 blocks. He has 11 double-doubles this season, and 43 for his career.
"They're both great players," Woodson says. "They're playing well. We've got to see where it leads."
Defending a player as big and skilled as Edey presents multiple problems.
"He's seen double teams," Woodson says. "He's seen zones. The guy is a big presence in the middle that demands the ball, and they go to him a lot.
"He's a tough matchup for anybody. We have to make sure he doesn't go off. Play him as tough as we can. We've got to have a total team effort."
For those who doubt the NBA potential of Jackson-Davis and Edey, Woodson says, in essence, get a clue.
"I look at Trayce. He rebounds; he blocks shots; he defends; he finishes at the rim; he runs the floor; he passes the ball. As a coach, you can use all those things. That's amazing.
"Here is big Edey. He gets up and down the floor. He might not be as mobile as some bigs, but he's mobile enough to do what he's doing. And he's a load down low.
"Somebody's going to take a shot at both players, and they are going to be happy as hell when they get them.
"I don't know what Edey does, but I've got to think he's a good young man and works hard. Our guy does the same thing.
"You're getting quality people. You've got to teach them the NBA game once they get at that level because it is another jump. It's faster. You've got to figure out things once you get at that level."
Beyond Edey, a big reason Purdue rose from unranked at the start of the season to No. 1 is the outstanding production of freshman guards Fletcher Loyer (12.4 points) and Braden Smith (9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, team-leading 99 assists). Smith was last year's Indiana Mr. Basketball from Westfield High School. Loyer was the state of Indiana's Gatorade Player of the Year last season at Homestead High School, and went on to win the high school three-point national championship in New Orleans.
"They say you can't win with freshmen a lot of times in college basketball," Woodson says, "but they're proving they belong. They have a system that fits them, and they're playing well."
Adds Galloway: "They have performed at a high level. It's impressive to see that. Credit to their program and the way they get guys ready."
Then there's junior forward Mason Gillis, who burned Penn State on Wednesday night for 29 points and nine three-pointers, the second most in school history. He'd never made more than three previously.
"You can't ignore that," Woodson says. "A guy gets 29 points in a college game, he can play.
"You've got to respect everybody on the floor and play them as hard as you can. It ain't scientific. They've got a good team. They're doing something right.
"We have to play Edey as hard as we can, make sure the other pieces don't go off, and see what happens."
Defending without fouling is crucial. Purdue has made a best-in-the-nation 184 more free throws than opponents, and has made 123 more free throws than opponents have attempted. It also ranks fourth nationally in fewest fouls per game (13.3).
In Tuesday's loss at Maryland, IU shot just 12 free throws compared to the Terps' 29.
"Defending without fouling is a big thing we need to focus on," Galloway says. "The Maryland game we fouled way too much.
"We have to follow what our coaches want us to do."
It would help if senior guard Xavier Johnson returned from foot surgery. He's doing more in pre-game warmups, such as shooting and dribbling drills, but Woodson couldn't say when he would return.
"If you ask Xavier, he thinks he can play tomorrow," Woodson says. "I've been around basketball a long time. That's impossible. The guy broke his foot. I wish he could play tomorrow, but I don't know."
Playing status also remains uncertain for forwards Jordan Geronimo (calf sprain) and Logan Duncombe (sinus infection).
Until the Maryland loss, IU had been playing as well as any team in the conference.
"When we're good," Woodson says, "we defend; we rebound; we share the ball; and we're shooting the ball. We had been playing great offense. The ball was moving; guys were making shots; and they were feeling good about themselves.
"The same thing has to apply on Saturday. We've got to make shots. Our defense has to hold. We've got to defend and rebound. It will be a battle. They defend, too, get after it, as well.
"When you have two teams that are banging around, the best man's going to win."
Also, during halftime, Don Fischer will be honored for his 50-year career as Voice of the Hoosiers. He's worked more than 2,000 games. That's the fourth-longest tenure among NCAA Division I play-by-play announcers.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Top-ranked Purdue comes to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, and anticipation builds.
Trey Galloway can't wait.
"It's special," the junior guard says. "It's a rivalry like none other. The atmosphere is great.
"They're No. 1 for a reason. We have to stick to our game plan. It will be a tussle, but also fun. We should enjoy it."
Purdue comes to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, and anticipation builds.
Mike Woodson can't wait.
"I'm anxious to see where we are against the No 1 team in the nation," the coach says.
A red-out is planned for a game with major Big Ten and national implications, and Hoosier Nation can't wait.
"This game means a lot to a lot of people," Galloway says. "There are a lot of emotions. A lot of ups and downs. You have to stay in the moment, know the task at hand and find a way to win."
First, a few numbers.
Purdue is 22-1 overall, 11-1 in the Big Ten with a seven-game road winning streak. It has won nine straight since a one-point home loss to Rutgers to build a three-and-half-game conference race lead over Illinois and Rutgers. It has held 24 straight opponents to less than 70 points, and ranks second in the Big Ten in defense (60.3 points allowed) and third in three-point defense (30.4 percent).
The No. 21/22 Hoosiers are 15-7 and 6-5. They are 11-1 at home, and have won five of their last six games. They are second in the Big Ten in scoring (77.5 points) and three-point shooting (38.0 percent), and have four players shooting at least 41.4 percent from three-point range -- Galloway (51.4 percent), Miller Kopp (43.7), Jalen Hood-Schifino (41.8) and Tamar Bates (41.4).
That both teams are ranked adds the kind of national intrigue that was common when Bob Knight and Gene Keady dominated the conference in the 1980s and '90s.
IU is 11-5 when both teams are ranked. The last time it happened was in 2016, when No. 21 Indiana beat No. 16 Purdue 77-73.
"It's the biggest game in the state of Indiana," Woodson says.
He should know. He faced Purdue multiple times during his IU playing days. He says the Boilers recruited him, and he set up a visit, but changed his mind after Knight offered.
"I canceled it at the last minute based on my conversation with Coach Knight. Indiana is home for me. It's where I always wanted to go."
The teams split two games last season, each winning at home -- IU by three points, Purdue by two. The Boilers had won the previous nine meetings.
"We're going to have to make shots to keep them honest," Woodson says, "but our defense has got to be a signature. We're going to have to defend and rebound with this team."
Perhaps the season's most highly anticipated individual matchup will feature 6-9 Trayce Jackson-Davis of IU against 7-4 Zach Edey of Purdue.
Many national experts list Edey as the national player of the year favorite, but Jackson-Davis's month-long surge gives him a shot.
Edey has 18 double-doubles this season and averages 22.0 points and 13.0 rebounds. He's blocked 47 shots.
Jackson-Davis averages 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds, but for the month of January it was 23.0 points, 14.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.4 blocks. He has 58 blocks. He has 11 double-doubles this season, and 43 for his career.
"They're both great players," Woodson says. "They're playing well. We've got to see where it leads."
Defending a player as big and skilled as Edey presents multiple problems.
"He's seen double teams," Woodson says. "He's seen zones. The guy is a big presence in the middle that demands the ball, and they go to him a lot.
"He's a tough matchup for anybody. We have to make sure he doesn't go off. Play him as tough as we can. We've got to have a total team effort."
For those who doubt the NBA potential of Jackson-Davis and Edey, Woodson says, in essence, get a clue.
"I look at Trayce. He rebounds; he blocks shots; he defends; he finishes at the rim; he runs the floor; he passes the ball. As a coach, you can use all those things. That's amazing.
"Here is big Edey. He gets up and down the floor. He might not be as mobile as some bigs, but he's mobile enough to do what he's doing. And he's a load down low.
"Somebody's going to take a shot at both players, and they are going to be happy as hell when they get them.
"I don't know what Edey does, but I've got to think he's a good young man and works hard. Our guy does the same thing.
"You're getting quality people. You've got to teach them the NBA game once they get at that level because it is another jump. It's faster. You've got to figure out things once you get at that level."
Beyond Edey, a big reason Purdue rose from unranked at the start of the season to No. 1 is the outstanding production of freshman guards Fletcher Loyer (12.4 points) and Braden Smith (9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, team-leading 99 assists). Smith was last year's Indiana Mr. Basketball from Westfield High School. Loyer was the state of Indiana's Gatorade Player of the Year last season at Homestead High School, and went on to win the high school three-point national championship in New Orleans.
"They say you can't win with freshmen a lot of times in college basketball," Woodson says, "but they're proving they belong. They have a system that fits them, and they're playing well."
Adds Galloway: "They have performed at a high level. It's impressive to see that. Credit to their program and the way they get guys ready."
Then there's junior forward Mason Gillis, who burned Penn State on Wednesday night for 29 points and nine three-pointers, the second most in school history. He'd never made more than three previously.
"You can't ignore that," Woodson says. "A guy gets 29 points in a college game, he can play.
"You've got to respect everybody on the floor and play them as hard as you can. It ain't scientific. They've got a good team. They're doing something right.
"We have to play Edey as hard as we can, make sure the other pieces don't go off, and see what happens."
Defending without fouling is crucial. Purdue has made a best-in-the-nation 184 more free throws than opponents, and has made 123 more free throws than opponents have attempted. It also ranks fourth nationally in fewest fouls per game (13.3).
In Tuesday's loss at Maryland, IU shot just 12 free throws compared to the Terps' 29.
"Defending without fouling is a big thing we need to focus on," Galloway says. "The Maryland game we fouled way too much.
"We have to follow what our coaches want us to do."
It would help if senior guard Xavier Johnson returned from foot surgery. He's doing more in pre-game warmups, such as shooting and dribbling drills, but Woodson couldn't say when he would return.
"If you ask Xavier, he thinks he can play tomorrow," Woodson says. "I've been around basketball a long time. That's impossible. The guy broke his foot. I wish he could play tomorrow, but I don't know."
Playing status also remains uncertain for forwards Jordan Geronimo (calf sprain) and Logan Duncombe (sinus infection).
Until the Maryland loss, IU had been playing as well as any team in the conference.
"When we're good," Woodson says, "we defend; we rebound; we share the ball; and we're shooting the ball. We had been playing great offense. The ball was moving; guys were making shots; and they were feeling good about themselves.
"The same thing has to apply on Saturday. We've got to make shots. Our defense has to hold. We've got to defend and rebound. It will be a battle. They defend, too, get after it, as well.
"When you have two teams that are banging around, the best man's going to win."
Also, during halftime, Don Fischer will be honored for his 50-year career as Voice of the Hoosiers. He's worked more than 2,000 games. That's the fourth-longest tenure among NCAA Division I play-by-play announcers.
Players Mentioned
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