Is IU Primed for an Upset Win at No. 2 Purdue?

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Confidence is back. Trust is stronger than ever.

Is a huge Cream 'n Crimson upset victory next?

Welcome to the aftermath of Indiana's dramatic come-from-behind win at Ohio State. IU displayed toughness, leadership, shot-making, playmaking and, yes confidence and trust, that suggest season-changing implications.

Could that deliver a Saturday night victory over No. 2 Purdue at Mackey Arena?

Let's take a look.

Trey Galloway, Malik Reneau, and Anthony Leal fueled Tuesday night's second-half rally from an 18-point deficit at Ohio State. Galloway and Reneau combined for 51 points. Leal was an off-the-bench force whose little-things-matter impact can't be overstated.

Repeating that at Mackey Arena, where the Boilers are 11-0, comes down to this, Galloway says:

"Being smart and playing hard without fouling is the biggest thing."

Reneau talked about building a bond and chemistry that came together in a big way at Ohio State. The Hoosiers (14-9 overall, 6-6 in the Big Ten) stayed connected despite road adversity and found a way to win.

It was, he added, a confidence builder. Galloway stressed the importance of fighting, competing, and defending.

"When we get stops and are able to defend for a long period of time," Galloway says, "it gives us confidence on the offensive end. When we're able to get out and run, that's when we're at our best.

"Getting stops like we did in the second half, getting locked in on defense, that's what we're trying to focus on. We're giving up way too many easy points."

In recent weeks, Leal has personified the tough-minded play crucial for success. He rocked Iowa with 13 off-the-bench points. He stunned Ohio State by scoring IU's final six points, including the decisive corner 3-pointer, but it might have been his six rebounds, two blocks and two steals that mattered most.

It was a huge boost for a team that had lost four of its last five games.

"It's tough winning on the road," coach Mike Woodson says. "We did everything right the second half to get back in the game and made all the plays down the stretch to win it.

"I applaud my team because they didn't quit. They kept fighting. Gallo made big plays. Anthony hit the big shot. Malik made big plays and got key stops and defensive rebounds."

The reward is trying to do it again in one of college basketball's toughest environments.

"We have to be confident and believe we can win," Galloway says. "At the end of the day, it will come down to playing harder than them. It will be a battle."

Beating Purdue starts with dealing with 7-4 center Zach Edey, the reigning national player of the year who is in position for a repeat. It means defending him without fouling him, which every team has tried, with limited success. It's why he leads the Big Ten in free throws made (170, 42 more than any other conference player) and free throws attempted (239).

"Zach gets a lot of fouls," Galloway says. "We have to be smart and know when to be physical. In the first game. we got in early foul trouble, and they made a lot of free throws."

Edey joins Patrick Ewing and David Robinson as the only players in NCAA history with 2,000 career points, 1,000 career rebounds, 200 career blocks and shooting at least 60.0% from the field. He averages 23.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks this season.

In the first meeting last month at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, which the Boilers won 87-66, Edey had 33 points and 14 rebounds. IU center Kel'el Ware faced early foul trouble and finished with five and six.

"Purdue has established themselves as a team based on Edey inside demanding so much attention," Woodson says.

"When we battled them in the past with Trayce (Jackson-Davis) and Race (Thompson) the last couple years, we were able to bang him a little bit. He banged Trayce some. It went back and forth. One year, Trayce only played 10, 11 minutes. (Officials) didn't let him play against Edey.

"Ware caught some of that here. He picked up two early fouls and had to go to the bench. So, it's how the officials are calling it, but you've got to bang some with him. If you don't, then you get embarrassed. He's embarrassing a lot of teams. The guy is an unbelievable player. He's a lot better than he was last year, and he was Player of the Year last year.

"We have to go with the mindset that we can stay out of foul trouble, bang a little bit, play aggressive and see what happens."

Purdue leads the Big Ten in scoring (85.3 points), free throws attempted (577), free throws made (415), and 3-point shooting (40.1%), and is second in made 3-point baskets (198).

It's the only conference team that is unbeaten at home.

For comparison, Nebraska is 14-1 at home. Northwestern is 12-1. Both are 6-0 at home in Big Ten action.

Edey, just named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list, anchors a defense that ranks 15th national in defensive efficiency and 56th in field goal percentage defense.

Guard Lance Jones averages 13.0 points with a team-leading 51 3-pointers and 2.9 rebounds. Guard Braden Smith averages 12.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and has a team-leading 167 assists. Guard Fletcher Loyer averages 11.3 points and shoots 43.3% from 3-point range.

"They're No. 2 for a reason," Galloway says. "Zach is so dominant in the paint. They have other great players who can make shots and spread you out and make tough ones. It's challenging. We'll be ready to compete."

In the first meeting, Woodson adds, the Boilers had their way.

"Our frontline has to battle. That's the key. Our perimeter guys will have to guard their perimeter guys. (Purdue is) deep both ways. That's why they're at the top of the country.

"I'm anxious to see where we are."

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Players Mentioned

Trey Galloway

Anthony Leal

Malik Reneau

Kel'el Ware