Purdue Basketball Is a Metronome; Lulls Nebraska to Sleep, 74-62

When Matt Painter has a talented Purdue basketball team – as he does this year – those teams typically turn into reliable metronomes. They tick along, doing what they do extremely well, grinding opponents into dust. They pass the ball and distribute the scoring, all while playing defense that winds up having the effect of a boa constrictor on opponents. There rarely feels as though there’s a two minute span where Purdue strikes and the other team is done-for. Rather, Purdue just has spurts of offense interspersed with suffocating defense and opportunistic sure-handed play. That’s what happens when you have a senior-laden team and it’s what happened today at Mackey against Nebraska.
 

What Happened

The Boilermakers kept pace with Michigan State and the surprising Ohio State in moving to 4-0 in conference. The Boilers also won their eleventh straight game and they are now 15-0 in basketball games played outside of ballrooms. They’re also 15-0 in the United States. (hashtag BSanalyticsdept).

The game was one of those that was never in doubt but also never felt like a blowout. As I said, that’s a Matt Painter Purdue team. He’ll have these guys playing their best basketball over the next 6-8 weeks. The question, as always, will be what kind of mettle these guys have once the calendar turns to March and a loss ends the proceedings.

In today’s game, Vincent Edwards was Swiss Army Knife Vincent, as he did everything Purdue could ask of him, finishing with 21 points on 50% shooting, ten rebounds, six assists, 6/6 from the FT line and a block for good measure. Just an outstanding – yet somehow quiet – game from Aneesh’s imaginary best friend.

Isaac Haas was in foul trouble (two in the first, a third early in the second half) but still had 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Good to see Ike adding blocking to his game.

Dakota airballed a three during morning shootaround and was then forced to run to the top of Mackey in shame as punishment. Then he came out and had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and delicious four steals. So sort of a secondary Swiss Army Knife. Maybe he’s the Swiss Army Knife and Vincent is the Leatherman. I don’t know, you guys decide. I’m not editing this post because none of you read them anyway.

Carsen had one of his worst statistical games of the season, getting just seven points on 3/13 shooting, but he did chip in five rebounds, three assists and a steal. It’s worth noting that every single Boilermaker who saw the floor nabbed at least a rebound or two. I like to see that.

PJ had like a season’s worth of turnovers today with three, but we love PJ so who cares?

Mattstaps Haarmzingis had his best conference game to date with 8 points on 4/5 shooting to go with three rebounds, a gorgeous assist to a cutting-through-the-lane Dakota (these guys must have accidentally swapped floor positions) and, of course, a couple of blocks followed by enthusiastic screams.

Jacquil Taylor saw the floor for a few minutes and hustled his ass off. I love Jacquil – the guy is always stretching, ready to go in, cheers on his teammates and clearly is a well-liked guy. Then he gets in there and sprints from end to end. I continue to hope he plays more.

Purdue shot dreadfully from deep (6/21) but decent overall. This was never really in doubt, as I said, because Purdue just has too much experience and balanced talent for a squad like Nebraska.
 

If You’re Still Paying Attention

Nobody reads these posts anymore. If you do, be the first to comment below and you’ll win an XL black t-shirt with the Purdue logo inside the outline of Indiana. I believe these are given away at a game at Mackey last year.
 

Misc

Carsen Edwards tried yet again to go for the statue of liberty dunk and missed again. I wonder what the exchanges with Painter are like after those.

Isaac Copeland had a monster dunk over Isaac Haas who was trying to block him. Copeland (who wound up on the ground after the dunk) gave Haas a mean-mug for a few seconds and was immediately whistled for a weirdly cheap technical foul. Isaac immediately clapped more or less right in Copeland’s face and behind the play, Carsen pointed out the scoreboard to the Nebraska bench. Oof.