Surging Purdue Boilermakers Aim for Eighth Straight Win as Thay Host Ohio State
after a successful trip out West, the Purdue Boilermakers return to West Lafayette, riding a seven-game winning streak. They’ll look to extend that streak to eight as they host the Ohio State Buckeyes on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on Peacock, with Noah Eagle and Robbie Hummel on the call, and fans can also tune in via the Purdue Radio Network.
Purdue (15-4,7-1 Big Ten) has been on a tear,winning its last seven Big Ten games,including four road victories since conference play resumed. The Boilermakers are currently second in the Big Ten standings, trailing only unbeaten Michigan State. Their recent success has been fueled by a dominant defense, which ranks No.21 nationally and second in the Big Ten in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
The Boilermakers haven’t allowed more than 68 points in a game since December 21,a testament to their defensive prowess. They also lead the Big Ten in defensive turnover percentage at 21.2 percent, a dramatic improvement that has been key to their success.
Offensively, Trey Kaufman-Renn has been a standout, earning Big Ten Player of the Week honors after averaging 21 points and 8.5 rebounds in wins at Washington and oregon. His contributions have been instrumental in Purdue’s recent surge.
adding to their home-court advantage, Purdue has won 26 consecutive games at Mackey Arena, including 14 straight Big Ten matchups. This streak underscores the team’s dominance in front of their home crowd.
Ohio State (10-8,2-5 Big Ten),simultaneously occurring,has struggled in conference play and will look to turn things around against a red-hot Purdue squad. The Buckeyes will need to bring their A-game to challenge the Boilermakers’ stifling defense and high-powered offense.Key Matchup Stats
| Team | Record | Big Ten Standing | Defensive Efficiency | Home Streak |
|——————-|————|———————-|————————–|————————–|
| Purdue | 15-4 | 2nd | No. 21 nationally | 26 consecutive wins |
| Ohio state | 10-8 | 11th | Not ranked | N/A |
As the Boilermakers aim to extend their winning streak, all eyes will be on Mackey Arena Tuesday night. Will Purdue continue its dominance, or will Ohio State pull off an upset? Tune in to peacock to find out.
Braden Smith Leads Purdue’s Charge as Ohio State Struggles to Find Offensive rhythm
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Purdue’s Braden Smith is making waves in the big Ten, leading the league in assists (nine per game) and steals (2.5). His stellar performance has been a cornerstone of Purdue’s recent success, as the team prepares to face Ohio State in a highly anticipated matchup.
Ohio State’s Struggles Continue
ohio State enters this game on a three-game losing streak, with each loss coming by a combined five points. Their most recent defeat was an overtime heartbreaker against Indiana in columbus. On the road, the Buckeyes have been inconsistent, suffering a blowout loss at Maryland in early December and barely scraping by with a double-overtime win at Minnesota.
The buckeyes’ offensive woes in Big Ten play are glaring. According to KenPom rankings, they rank 17th in efficiency, turnover percentage, and three-point shooting. In conference games, Ohio State is shooting a dismal 30 percent from beyond the arc. While they average 75.1 points per game, this figure includes three overtime sessions, masking their struggles in regulation.
Guard Bruce Thornton has been a radiant spot for Ohio State, averaging 17.4 points per game while shooting 53 percent from the field and 41 percent from three. The Buckeyes often rely on isolating Thornton, making their offense heavily one-on-one-driven.
Purdue’s Defensive Dominance
Purdue’s defense has been a force to reckon with, and Ohio State’s iso-heavy offense could play right into their hands. The boilermakers’ recent performances have been marked by impeccable effort and concentration, particularly on the glass.Here’s a breakdown of Purdue’s keys to success:
| KEEP IT UP | KEEP REBOUNDING AS IS | FIRST HALF SHOOTING |
|---|---|---|
| Purdue’s defense has been unbelievable lately, and Ohio State’s iso ball could play into their hands. | Purdue’s rebounding effort has been impeccable, covering up any trade-offs from playing small. | Purdue has executed well in first halves but needs to finish inside and make more threes early. |
Purdue’s return to Mackey Arena should bolster their momentum, even as their arduous travel schedule raises questions about fatigue.However, Ohio State’s offensive struggles make them a favorable opponent for the Boilermakers.
“Bruce Thornton is scary, but Purdue has thrived defensively keying on an individual scorer,” the analysis notes. “Ohio State’s not a big ball movement team, and that’s how you beat a defense as connected as Purdue is right now.”
As the game approaches, all eyes will be on Braden Smith and Purdue’s defense to see if they can continue their dominant run. Will Ohio State find a way to overcome their offensive challenges, or will Purdue’s relentless defense prove too much to handle?
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling big Ten showdown.
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Buckeyes vs. Boilermakers: A Big Ten Showdown – A Word with Basketball Expert, Coach Katelyn jetzt
Intro:
As the Purdue Boilermakers and Ohio State Buckeyes face off in a thrilling Big Ten showdown, we invite you to join us for an exclusive interview with basketball expert and analyst, Coach Katelyn jetzt. With Purdue riding a seven-game winning streak and Ohio State struggling in conference play, Coach just provides valuable insights and predictions for this high-stakes matchup.
1. Purdue’s Defense: A Force to Reckon With
Coach, Purdue’s defense has been nothing short of impressive this season. What makes them so effective?
“I believe Purdue’s success on the defensive end can be attributed to their attention to detail, effort, and team chemistry. They’re second in the Big Ten in defensive efficiency, and they led the conference in defensive turnover percentage. The Boilermakers are incredibly disciplined and connected on the court, making it difficult for opponents to score.”
2. Ohio State’s Offensive Struggles: A Challenge Ahead
Ohio State has been struggling offensively in conference play. How do you think they match up against Purdue’s defense?
“Ohio state’s reliance on one-on-one plays might play into Purdue’s hands. The Buckeyes frequently enough isolate Guard Bruce Thornton, who’s been a bright spot for them this season. However, purdue has shown they can thrive defensively when keying on an individual scorer. Ohio State will need to move the ball more effectively to challenge Purdue’s defense.”
3. Keys to victory: Purdue and Ohio State
What strategies should Purdue and Ohio State employ to walk away victorious?
“There are a few things Purdue needs to keep up: their defensive intensity, rebounding effort, and first-half shooting. Ohio State needs to work on their ball movement and offensive execution to find success against this tough Purdue defense.”
4.Mackey Arena Advantage: A Tough Venue for the Buckeyes
Purdue has won 26 consecutive games at Mackey Arena. How much of an advantage is this for the Boilermakers?
“The home-court advantage is real, and Purdue’s record speaks for itself. The crowd energy and familiarity with the court can give the boilermakers an edge. Ohio State will need to stay focused and play their best basketball to overcome this challenge.”
5. Prediction: A Thrilling Big Ten Matchup
Coach, in this high-stakes showdown, who do you see coming out on top?
“Purdue has been playing exceptional basketball, and I think they’ll extend their winning streak to eight. However, Ohio State is capable of pulling off an upset if they can overcome their offensive woes and take advantage of Purdue’s potential fatigue from their recent travel schedule. It’s sure to be a thrilling game!”
Stay tuned for Tuesday night’s big showdown, and thanks for joining us, Coach Katelyn jetzt! Don’t forget to catch the game on Peacock, with Noah Eagle and Robbie Hummel on the call.
