Purdue is coming off a much needed, road win against #7 Nebraska to complete a three-game winning streak after losing three straight conference games to end January. It took overtime for the Boilers after surrendering a double-digit lead in the final minutes, but the win keeps Purdue tied with four other teams with three losses in the Big Ten behind one-loss Michigan.
Iowa returns home smarting after losing to a bottom of the Big Ten Maryland team on Wednesday.
#12 Purdue 20-4 (10-3) at Iowa 18-6 (8-5)
Purdue won the first matchup between these teams, 79-72, in Mackey Arena.
Braden Smith had 16 points on 9 shot attempts to go with 8 assists while Iowa star Bennet Stirtz was kept mostly in check but still finishing with 19 points despite going 2 of 9 from three.
Purdue controlled most of the game, but Iowa pushed back in the second half, hinting to a trend that has continued for the last few weeks. Purdue’s been unable to hold onto leads, including Tuesday’s win over Nebraska where it led by as much as 22 before having to go into overtime for its second top-10 win on the road this season.
But Iowa has plenty of its own concerns after a disappointing showing on the road against a not very good Maryland team.
Iowa managed to win the turnover battle with Maryland 14-4 but still managed to lose by 7.
Maryland beat Iowa on the glass, outrebounding the Hawkeyes by 9, but more importantly, Iowa gave up 71% shooting inside the arc to Maryland while shooting just 7 of 28 from three on offense.
So both teams will be hungry for a win on Saturday.
Iowa will look to add a key win to its resume as it looks to secure its way into the NCAA Tournament.
For Purdue, winning out is likely necessary to have a chance at the Big Ten title, but will Purdue be looking past Iowa on Saturday? Michigan and its one loss on top of the conference looms as Purdue’s next opponent on Tuesday when the Wolverines come to Mackey Arena.
Purdue’s schedule set for big finish
Purdue is now in the thick of it. It is two games behind Michigan in the Big Ten, but still has a game against Michigan at home to try and control its own fate. Michigan still has to go to Mackey Arena, at Illinois, and host Michigan State. There are losses still available to the Wolverines if Purdue can manage to win out its schedule.
Purdue still hosts IU and Michigan State, and go on the road at Ohio State and Northwestern, two places where it has recently struggled.
But Purdue’s toughest three games come in a row, and at home. If Purdue gets through this road test, it’ll have those three home games
Matt Painter was complimentary of what Ben McCollum has built in Iowa already. Painter expects Iowa’s sellout crowd to light a fire in an already good defense.
“They do a good job keeping the ball out of the paint,” Painter said about Iowa’s defense. “They’re a very good defensive team… their hand activity is elite.”
Purdue’s offense came alive against Nebraska in the form of a lot of threes and even more offensive rebounds. Iowa’s defense doesn’t do it the same way as Nebraska, but they’ll try to limit the rim and get at dribblers inside. Look for Purdue’s perimeter shooting to be active again.
At the other end, Purdue will once again have to contend with Bennett Stirtz, one of the best point guards in the country. Purdue was able to keep his production reasonable in the first game, but the task gets even harder with Stirtz playing at home coming off a 32 point performance against Maryland.
It’ll be a good one Saturday evening in Iowa City as Purdue looks to make a late season run towards another Big Ten title. That starts on Saturday.