College basketball gets underway at noon in West Lafayette, with No. 1 Purdue taking on No. 10 Iowa State, also undefeated in the nation.
This is an undefeated matchup between two of the most consistent programs of the past five years.
This is the No. 1 offense in the country, and this is the No. 1 defense in the country when it comes to forcing turnovers.
Matt Painter and TJ Otzelberger are two of the best program builders in the sport and have built teams that are contenders every season.
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Both men enter Saturday’s top-10 matchup at Mackey Arena with 8-0 records.
Will Tamin Lipsey play?
Part of what makes Iowa State such a dangerous team is its experience, and no one on the roster is more experienced than Lipsey.
But the senior, one of the best point guards in the country, missed the Cyclones’ final three games with a groin injury.
The good news for Iowa State is that Lipsey is back in practice this week.
Lipsey and Smith will be one of the best point guard matchups of the season. Lipsey’s offense was outstanding, averaging 18.4 points and 5.2 assists per game, but it was his defense where he really controlled the game. Lipsey averages 3.2 steals per game and will be one of Smith’s toughest defenders this season.
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But with soft tissue injuries, it remains to be seen how aggressively Iowa State will bring Lipsey back into the rotation.
Iowa State’s defense emerges as Purdue’s biggest challenge
Purdue has been tested this season. It beat Alabama on the road and had one of the most dominant performances of the season while dominating Texas Tech.
But Iowa State’s KenPom ranks firmly in the top ten in offensive and defensive ratings. It beat St. John’s, Creighton and Syracuse.
More importantly, Iowa State’s defense presents a unique challenge. The Cyclones, true to their name, cause chaos on the field. They forced turnovers on nearly 30 percent of their possessions. When I asked what makes Iowa State so effective defensively, Painter mentioned how Iowa State really doubles up and runs the ball down the sideline. This will be a challenge for Brayden Smith as he tries to navigate defenses that will throw bodies and limbs at him, keeping him away from the paint and toward the sides of the court.
Smith can easily fall into traps at times, making it difficult to get the ball out of his hands because of his small size. But that usually happens for a game or two. Then Smith, while chasing the all-time assist record, tends to use defensive aggression against him.
This looks a bit like Purdue’s game against Houston in last season’s Sweet Sixteen. Purdue lost the game on the final possession, but Smith had an absolutely stellar performance. Use Houston’s double teams to create opportunities for teammates and keep Purdue’s offense active.
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Joshua Jefferson might be the best player Purdue has faced this season
What’s unique about the 6-foot-9 senior, according to Matt Painter, is that most players his size can’t pass the ball while dribbling. Jefferson didn’t have this problem.
In many ways, Jefferson is the big-man version of Brayden Smith. Instead of relying on speed and pick-and-rolls, Jefferson uses his size, control and body to create angles and double-teams to create openings for his teammates.
Jefferson plays at his own pace, and his size and physicality allow him to play with his back to the basket or from the perimeter. He is one of the most unique players in the country, averaging 18.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 57% from the field.
With Lipsey out due to injury, Jefferson took on more offensive duties. Jefferson is the focal point of the offense and the fulcrum of all their actions. He’s a nightmare defensively both inside and outside. He attacks the glass and plays with his elbow as well as any player in the country. He will challenge Purdue’s defense on three levels.
Historical offensive output
Purdue had the potential to set an offensive efficiency record this season, but Iowa State had one of its best offensive performances ever.
The Cyclones scored 132 points in their last game, beating Alcorn State 132-68.
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Iowa State shot 22-for-30 from 3-point range in that game. Distributed 33 assists and caused 24 turnovers. That’s as good as any team can play basketball.
Now, the Cyclones enter one of the toughest environments in the country, taking on the No. 1 team in the country.
So sit back and get ready to enjoy a high level of basketball action at Mackey Arena.
