Keys to beating Purdue and how to watch Thursday’s game.
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The Barn
7:00 PM
FS1
Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers
Record: 9-4 (1-1)
KenPom Rank: 27
After finishing as the runner-ups in the NCAA Tournament, Purdue has a remade roster and is still competing at a very high level. Their record may be just 9-4, but they have given themselves a very challenging non-conference schedule. Figuring out life without Zach Edey is a process, but
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
Slow Trey Kaufman-Renn – Kaufman-Renn has had a break-out season after being a key role-player during his first two at Purdue. The junior was a starter on last year’s runner-up team, but played only about 17 minutes per game. He’s leading the team with 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Defend the three – Currently ranked 17th in the country in three point shooting, the Boilermakers are deadly from behind the arc. The primary guys to defend are Fletcher Loyer (47%) and Braden Smith (43.
Attack the rim – As mentioned in the mini-recap of the Gopher wins over Morgan State and Fairleigh Dickinson, there might be a shift in offensive focus for Minnesota. Getting to the rim to either draw fouls or kick out for better threes needs to be the MO for this team.
PREDICTION
Purdue would have to really struggle to shoot while Minnesota miraculously becomes efficient on offense for me to see a Gopher win on Thursday. Smith, Loyer, Kauffman-Renn are just too experienced and talented.
Minnesota – 68
Purdue – 80