College Hoops: #24 Purdue v Fairfield Prediction

IT'S ALMOST TIME

We are less than 4 days till the opening tip of the 2018-19 basketball season for Purdue. And this year I don't expect Purdue to have a high caliber team since we did loose the one of our best teams last year, but I do see us making a run in the tourney come March, but with that being light years away, let's focus on the Boilermakers first match up of the season against the Stags of Fairfield

#24 Purdue 
2017 Record: 30-7 (Lost to Texas Tech in Sweet 16)


Purdue last season was good all across the board averaging 80 PPG as well as 54%  shooting in the paint and 42% behind the arch. This year with the departure of what was one of the best senior class in the nation, a lot of these numbers will most likely drop. Our strengths last season on defense were  defensive rebounds as we averaged 26 DRB/gm as well as allowing 66 PPG as well as limiting offenses to 45% shooting in the paint as well as 33% behind the arch.
The key players to watch this season will be Preseason All-American guard Carsen Edwards as he is just explosive. He can shoot the 3 and make some incredible jams in the paint. Also watch out for Ryan Cline as he is pretty consistent when it comes to shooting it deep, as well as the athleticism from Nojel Eastern who hopefully got some much needed practice during the off season because he has some serious potential, as well as the big man Matt Haarms who averaged about 2 blk/gm last season and who can just be wreck the paint for opposing defenses.
The key struggles last season were getting offensive rebound (8.4 ORB/gm) when we needed them the most (OSU anyone?) as well as turnovers were a huge issue as we gave up 11 TO/gm.

Fairfield
2017 Record:17-16

Fairfield was pretty average last year averaging 76 PPG with 52% shooting in the paint as well as 39% behind the arch. The only strength for the Stags on defense is that the force more turnovers as they are making opposing offenses commit 14 TOV/gm. Other than that there isn't any bright spot on the Stags defense as they are allowing offenses to 49% shooting in the paint and 39% shooting behind the arch and are limiting teams to 77 PPG.

Verdict

This should be a game that Purdue will cruise right on by as Purdue just has so much more talent than Fairfield and have a gem in Edwards and a great perimeter shooter in Cline. this will be fun to watch and I'm so excited that Boiler Ball is back.

 BOILER UP!!!