College basketball gets a treat in West Lafayette at noon when #1 Purdue takes on fellow undefeated and #10 team in the country, Iowa State.
It’s a showdown of the unbeaten, of two of the most consistent programs in the last fives years.
It’s the nation’s #1 offense against the #1 defense in the country at forcing turnovers.
It’s two of the best program builders in the sport, Matt Painter and T. J. Otzelberger, who have built teams that are contenders each season.
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Both carry an 8-0 record into the top-10 matchup in Mackey Arena on Saturday.
Will Tamin Lipsey play?
Part of what makes Iowa State such a dangerous team is its experience, and there’s no one on the roster more experienced than Lipsey.
But the senior, one of the best point guards in the country, has missed the last three games for the Cyclones with a groin injury.
Good news for Iowa State is Lipsey has returned to practice this week.
Lipsey and Smith would be one of the best point guard matchups of the season. Lipsey is great offensively, scoring 18.4 points a game to go along with 5.2 assists, but it’s defensively where he really takes over a game. Lipsey is averaging 3.2 steals a game and would be one of the toughest defenders Smith could play this season.
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But with a soft tissue injury, it’s yet to be seen how aggressive Iowa State will be with bringing Lipsey back into the rotation.
Iowa State’s defense looms as Purdue’s biggest challenge
Purdue has already been tested this season. It boasts a big road win against Alabama, and one of the most dominating performances of the season when it dominated Texas Tech.
But Iowa State is firmly inside the top-10 in Kenpom’s offensive and defensive ratings. It’s beaten St. John’s, Creighton, and Syracuse.
More so, Iowa State’s defense presents a unique challenge. The Cyclones, true to their name, cause mayhem on the court. They’re forcing turnovers on nearly 30% of possessions. Painter, when I asked about what makes Iowa State so effective on the defensive end, mentioned how Iowa State really traps and holds the ball on the side of the court. That will present a challenge for Braden Smith as he attempts to navigate a defense that will look to throw bodies and limbs at him and keep him away from the paint and towards both sides of the court.
Smith has at times been susceptible to getting caught in traps where his lack of size can make it difficult to get the ball out of his hands. But that usually happens for about a play or two. Then Smith, chasing the all-time assists record, tends to use defenses aggressiveness against him.
This should look a little like Purdue versus Houston in the Sweet Sixteen last season. Purdue lost on the final possession, but Smith was absolutely brilliant. Using Houston’s trapping to create looks for his teammates and keep Purdue’s offense humming.
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Joshua Jefferson might be the best player Purdue faces this season
What’s unique about the 6-9 senior, according to Matt Painter, is most guys his size that can pass can’t do it while dribbling. Jefferson doesn’t have that problem.
In many ways, Jefferson is the big man version of Braden Smith. Instead of quickness and pick and rolls, Jefferson uses his size, his control, and body to create angles and double teams to get teammates open.
Jefferson plays at his own pace and his size and physicality allows him to play with his back to the basket or from the perimeter. He’s one of the most unique players in the country, averaging 18.4 points a game, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 57% shooting from the field.
Jefferson has assumed even more of the play making with Lipsey out with injury. Jefferson is the focal point of the offense and the fulcrum through which all their action works. He’s a nightmare to defend inside and out. He attacks the glass, and he plays as well from the elbows as any player in the country. He’s going to be a challenge for Purdue defensively at all three levels.
Historic offensive output
Purdue is threatening to set an offensive efficiency record this season, but its Iowa State coming off one of the best offensive performances of all time.
The Cyclones put up 132 points in its last game, a 132-68 win against Alcorn State.
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Iowa State was 22 of 30 from three in that game. It had 33 assists and forced 24 turnovers. It’s as good as any team can play basketball.
Now, the Cyclones come into one of the most hostile environments in the country to take on the #1 team in the country.
So sit back and get ready to enjoy some high level basketball in Mackey Arena.