#24 Purdue v Ball State Prediction

Purdue is looking to go 2-0 before the Charleston Classic

Purdue cruised to an easy victory over Fairfield, and they now continue their 2 game home stand when they play Ball State

#24 Purdue   
2018/19 Record: 1-0 (Won against Fairfield)


Purdue played pretty well as they went 62% in the Paint and going 46% behind the arch while out-rebounding the Stags 40-25 and putting up 90 points. On the defensive front we held the Stags to just 36% shooting in the paint and behind the arch forcing 12 turnovers and holding them to 57 points.
The key players to watch tomorrow night will be Carsen Edwards who had 30 points and went 7-11 from behind the arch. Ryan Cline who had a quiet game racking up a modest 13 points and going 50% across the board. The players to watch on defense will be Grady Eifert and Matt Haarms who both had 9 points apiece and had 18 rebounds combined.
Some of the flaws that I have seen is turnovers. while this is not huge now, it can come back a hurt us down the road. As well as foul trouble as Haarms had 4 personals in 17 minutes of playtime.

Ball State  
2018/19 Record: 1-0 (Won against Indiana St.)


Ball State is not to bad as they are averaging 54% in the paint and 37% from behind the arch as they out-rebounded the Sycamores 42-38 and put up 86 points. They. have a really good defense as they hold teams to just 36% in the paint and struggling to contain the three as opposing offenses are shooting at 50% behind the arch. Along with 9 steals and allowing 69 PPG.
They key players to watch on offense will be leading scorer Tahjai Teague who has 21 points as well as going 9-13 inside the paint. And on defense it will be Brachen Hazen with 9 total rebounds and was perfect in his shooting for 15 points. as well as Trey Moses who had 4 blk's against the Sycamores.
Some flaws that I see is accuracy as they struggle to find consistency in the paint and behind the arch. As well as allowing opposing offenses to score 50% on 3-pointers which is problematic as Purdue is a team that likes to shoot the three ball.

Verdict 

Just like Fairfield Purdue should have no problem with this game. I don't think they will cruise like they did against Fairfield but they should have no problem under Edwards and Cline.