Purdue basketball’s offense has nose dived. What are the reasons behind it?

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WEST LAFAYETTE − That Purdue basketball offense that began the season blitzing teams has suddenly lost its potent punch.

Defenses are neutralizing Braden Smith, forcing the ball out of the Boilermaker point guard’s hands.

They’ve keyed in on Trey Kaufman-Renn and teams are running Purdue’s shooters off the 3-point line.

Five times in its last eight games, Purdue has scored 71 points or fewer.

“How are we going to counter that? How are we going to get better at making plays for one another and not just relying on Braden and Trey (Kaufman-Renn) pick and roll,” Purdue junior Fletcher Loyer said after last Saturday’s loss to Auburn, Purdue’s third setback in its last four games.

The safe haven of Mackey Arena and a Sunday night game with Toledo, a team limping into West Lafayette having lost four of its last five, ideally should offset some of the recent woes prior to the start of Big Ten play next week.

More: No. 25 Purdue basketball vs. Toledo prediction, TV, start time on 12/29/24

It’s the last chance before games start to count towards defending Purdue’s back-to-back Big Ten titles. Why has Purdue’s offense seemingly dipped?

Purdue basketball’s turnover woes

The Boilermakers can pride themselves on taking care of the basketball against Alabama, North Carolina State and Maryland.

In those three victories, Purdue had a total of 17 turnovers.

But for the most part this season, the Boilermakers have proven to be a turnover prone squad.

Purdue averages 12.3 turnovers per game. In December, Purdue has 59 assists and 60 turnovers. That includes the win over Maryland where Purdue was plus five in the assists category.

Purdue’s 3-point efficiency dip

Last season, the Boilermakers were the second most efficient 3-point shooting team in college basketball.

Zach Edey helped.

But this roster is still built on above average outside shooters and Purdue’s offensive success is still reliant on being able to bank on 3-pointers.

Through the season’s first four games, the Boilers proved that was still a…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-basketballs-offense-nose-dived-090615156.html

Author : Journal & Courier

Publish date : 2024-12-28 09:06:00

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