Purdue v #23 Maryland Prediction

A nice home game after a disappointing week of basketball

Purdue didn't do well on the road last week as we had a shot at FSU but couldn't seem to produce any offense in the final 3 minutes. An then there was Michigan who is arguably one of the best teams in the nation and in the B1G. But we get a nice home game against a pretty even team against Maryland before we go to Texas and then play Notre Dame in the Crossroads Classics. So this is a must win situation for the Boilers.

Purdue 
2018/19 Record: 5-3 (Lost to #7 Michigan)

Purdue is on a small slide, but these look like problems that have always plagued us in recent years. Turnovers, foul trouble, going cold at the most inconvenient times. We've seen these before, but these can be easily fixed. Purdue right now on offense is averaging 80 PPG while shooting 53% from the floor and 39% from three. On defense we are allowing 68 PPG while holding teams 39% from the floor and 36% from three. We average 12 TO's/gm to opponents 14. And we out rebound opponents on average 38-29 on TRB/gm.
The key players for this game will be Carsen Edwards who is averaging 24 PPG and 38% from three, Cline who is averaging 15 PPG and a whopping 46% from three, on defense it will be Haarms, Eifert, and Eastern who are averaging close to 5 RB/gm.

#24 Maryland 
2018/19 Record: 7-1 (Won against Penn St.)

Maryland is averaging 81 PPG while shooting 60% from the floor and 32% from three. On defense, they are allowing 66 PPG while holding teams to 46% from the floor and 30% from three. They average 14 To's/gm to opponents 11. And soundly beats teams on rebounds as they average 42-28 TRB/gm. The key players for the Terrapins are Anthony Cowan (16 PPG, 29% from three), Bruno Fernando (15 PPG, N/A from three), Jalen Smith (13 PPG, 18% from three), and Arron Wiggins (10 PPG, 41% from three).

Verdict

The one thing that Purdue has going for them is that beyond Marylands top 4, production seems to drop significantly. On Maryland entire roster, on 2 have over 40% from 3. And outside of their starters, no one has any points higher than 9. One of the Terrapins key players Bruno Fernando is averaging 3 fouls/gm. So if Purdue can get pressure on him, they can probably get him into foul trouble. So if Purdue can clean some things up, I would say we should have no problem getting our first conference win of the season. Purdue