Game Preview: Ohio at Purdue

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Ohio (2-0) at Purdue (1-2)

It’s one of the worst starts to a season in Matt Painter’s tenure at Purdue, but Purdue is coming off its first win of the season after beating Illinois State 76-59.

Daniel Jacobsen continued to be Purdue’s most consistent bright spot, scoring 20 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Antione West found the potential he showed in the summer, scoring a career-high 17 points and played 31 minutes. Jack Benter added 14 points as Purdue’s offense continues to figure out what it is in the post Braden Smith-era.

Now Purdue’s five-game home streak continues with a game against 2-0 Ohio.

Ohio off to hot shooting start

Ohio is shooting 43% from three after two games. Against North Carolina A&T, Ohio only got off 13 three-point attempts but made 6 of them, including some timely ones late to pull away.

In its first win of the season, Ohio wasn’t afraid to let it fly. It made 16 of its 38 three-point attempts in its 86-77 win over South Alabama.

6-1 Kolton Mitchell leads the charge for Ohio, making 8 of 19 threes in just two games.

Jackson Paveletzke is a perfect 3 of 3 to start the season.

Purdue has been effective this season defending the three point line. It’s limiting attempts and teams are shooting just 26.5% from three.

Human bowling ball

Javan Simmons is 6-7, 259 pounds and plays like a forward from another era. Simmons is comfortable attacking with the ball in his hands and uses his heft to bully inside and down low. He’s averaging 14 points a game on 70% shooting from inside the arc.

He’ll be an intriguing matchup for Purdue. Purdue will most likely put Caden Pierce on him to start, but if Purdue plays undersized with Benter at the four off the bench, Benter will have to contend with trying to stop a human bowling ball.

Purdue’s back up four spot has been something of a disappointment to start the season. Benter has been good, but Enzo Shahrvin and Raleigh Burgess have left things to be desired as back up bigs.

Six scorers in double-figures

Ohio has shown an ability to play multiple styles of offense while also having a handful of players capable of carrying the scoring weight. Depth is one of Ohio’s biggest strengths.

Ohio has six players averaging double-figures after two games. After three games, Purdue has just three.

Ohio is a team built on skill, but lacks real size. It doesn’t have a true center on the roster.

That should bode well for Purdue’s clear best player, Daniel Jacobsen, who has been unleashed to start the season. Jacobsen is averaging over 23 points a game and has been just as good as advertised on an offense that’s been struggling to find an identity outside of his dominance inside. Jacobsen’s ability to make hook shots in the post, finish at the rim, and stretch the floor remains Purdue’s best, and right now, only consistent scoring options.

Though signs of life from West in Purdue’s third game is a good sign, along with Benter’s 2 for 3 mark from three.

But Jacobsen should be able to take advantage of an Ohio team that has given up 55% shooting inside the arc so far this season. Jacobsen has made nearly 80% of his attempts from inside the arc.

Jacobsen should be fed in this game and should be the difference as Purdue looks to gain momentum and confidence in what was supposed to be a get right five game home win streak after a tough opening game against Gonzaga.

Game Preview: Ohio at Purdue

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