Nebrasketball: Purdue Preview

Date: Saturday, February 23rd

Time: 3:00pm CST

Location: Lincoln, NE

TV: BTN

2017-18 Record: 19-7 (12-3 Big Ten Conference)

Last Meeting: February 9th - Purdue 81 Nebraska 62

Current Rank: #15

Remember the last time Nebraska played Purdue? It was only two and a half weeks ago. A lot, or a little, has happened. Purdue is building a resume while Nebraska is still trying to figure the game of basketball out.

Purdue has gone 2-1 since that game. They have wins over Penn State and rival Indiana. The game against the Hoosier was not the most entertaining of those with Purdue squeaking one by for a low score win of 48-46. Their lone loss was to #24 Maryland at College Park.

The Boilermakers are still lead by Carson Edwards at guard. He had a team high of 27 points in the last win over Nebraska. He is averaging 23.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Nebraska did not match up well against him the first time and I do not see anything changing this second time. Expect more points and tired Huskers trying to guard him.

Ryan Cline is also another guard that is continually doing well for Purdue. The senior is averaging 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Lucky for Nebraska, they only kept him to 10 points and 1 assists the last time these two squads met.

Also of note is Grady Eifert. The senior forward is only averaging 5.1 points per game but had a field day under the basket against the Huskers. He ended that game with 16 points and 7 rebounds in the win. He is also shooting 51% from the floor. I would say that Nebraska would probably take him a little bit more seriously this time around, but I’m not willing to make that bet.

Prediction

Purdue started the year out rough but has turned into a top tier Big Ten basketball squad. They’re big, athletic, and deep. Unlike Nebraska, they have no problem resting their starters and relying on their bench to keep them in the game. If the Huskers come out strong and alert then this could be a game but from recent history, that will probably not happen.

I do not like the match ups here and the trajectory of either of these teams. Purdue is playing for NCAA tournament seeding and Nebraska is trying to keep their season alive. The latter is never a good place to be in.

Purdue University 83 University of Nebraska 64