The Purdue Boilermakers are very well known for their formidable interior presence. They’re like this year’s Kentucky; a college team who much larger than many NBA teams. West Lafayette, Indiana does not have a skyline; that is except for A.J. Hammons, Isaac Haas and Caleb “Biggie” Swanigan.
Everyone talks about the Purdue bigs, but not many talk about the Purdue littles as much. Or they don’t talk about the three-point game a ton.
The three-ball has been in and out this season for the Boilermakers. The potential has always been there, but it’s not until recently that we’ve really started to the Purdue Boilermakers find their three point shooting groove. In an absolute utter annihilation of a drained and overwhelmed Illinois team today in the Big Ten Tournament, they shot 13-27, 48% from three.
That’s one trey shy of what the accomplished in their opening round rout of Minnesota. Illinois set the record for single game 3-pt field goals made in the Big Ten Tournament, meaning Purdue is in second place. The Illini also tied the record for most triples in a Big Ten tournament; impressive considering they only had three games to get there.
It’s not surprising Purdue lit up the Illini from behind the arc, as Illinois had serious issues with perimeter defense from the get go. Nevertheless, it’s still very encouraging for Purdue Boilermakers fans to see the team showing a lot of balance; and coming together at just the right time. Against a really good Wisconsin team, Purdue shot 10-19, 53% from behind the arc. They were also 47% (so Mitt Romney would approve!) the previous game at Nebraska. The team shot 41% form distance versus Maryland on February 27th.
Contrast that trend against the game at Maryland, when they shot 3-25, 12%. All teams fluctuate like the stock market when it comes to the three ball. It’s the most volatile component of the game. And if there’s one thing Purdue fans know this season, it’s volatility. However, according to the Big Ten Tournament postgame notes, Purdue has made at two three point field goals in 98 straight games.
“We got good looks. Made good decisions,” said Purdue Boilermakers Guard Rapheal Davis.
“They were being doubled, and they just passed it out. It makes a lot of sense when two people guard you, somebody has to be open. And guys were open, and guys make shots when they’re open.”
Coach Matt Painter went in more depth, and got more technical on it.
“It’s a lot of things,” he said.
“Our guys are letting things come to them. But more than anything, I think it’s our ball and body movement. And that’s manufacturing a better shot.”
“Everybody is going to handle our big guys a little bit differently. Some guys will stay with the low man. Some guys will double big to big. Some guys will scrape ball sides. Some guys will do everything. So it takes five guys out there being able to know where they’re supposed to be and read their double-team and then playing off of it. But we also have to get a mix of offensive rebounds in transition.”
If the Boilers keep playing like they have been since their huge win over Maryland in front of a national TV audience, they could really go on a deep run this March.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram
