Purdue Aims to Keep Rolling Against Ohio State

No. 17 Purdue will look to extend its 26-game home win streak when they face Ohio State on Tuesday night in a crucial Big Ten showdown. While Purdue has been on fire, winning seven straight, Ohio State is struggling and desperately needs a win to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

Purdue: Dominating at Home and on Defense

Purdue (15-4, 7-1 Big Ten) has been nearly unstoppable at home, sitting at a perfect 9-0 this season and riding a 26-game home win streak. They’re currently half a game behind Michigan State in the Big Ten standings, and a win here would help them maintain that momentum.

Key Players:

• Braden Smith is the engine driving the Boilermakers, putting up 15.1 points and 8.9 assists per game. His ability to facilitate and keep turnovers low has been crucial in their current seven-game win streak.
• Purdue’s defense has been locking teams down, allowing just 60.1 points per game. They’ve been especially tough from beyond the arc, limiting opponents to only 26.7% shooting on threes.

Tactics:
Coach Matt Painter focuses on suffocating the paint, making it tough for teams to get easy shots inside. He’s okay with giving up a few more perimeter looks, preferring to keep the defense tight in the paint.

Ohio State: Looking for Answers After Close Losses

Ohio State (10-8, 2-5 Big Ten) has been stuck in a rough patch, losing their last three games by a combined five points. Their most painful loss came in a 77-76 overtime heartbreak against Indiana, where missed shots at the end sealed their fate.

Key Players:

• John Mobley Jr. had a strong showing with 22 points in the loss to Indiana, but coach Jake Diebler has called on him to be smarter in clutch moments. Mobley, while talented, will need to refine his decision-making in high-pressure situations.
• Devin Royal, who averages 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds, is another key player. If he can return from a wrist injury, Ohio State’s chances improve significantly.

Challenges:
Ohio State has struggled with turnovers, poor shot selection, and missed opportunities at key moments. They need to clean up these mistakes if they want a shot at upsetting Purdue.

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What to Watch For

1. Purdue’s Home Dominance: Purdue’s been nearly unbeatable in front of their fans, while Ohio State has struggled on the road. Can the Buckeyes overcome the Boilermakers’ home-court advantage?
2. Purdue’s Tough Defense vs. Ohio State’s Scoring: Purdue’s defense is on another level, but Ohio State has the talent to challenge them. Will Ohio State be able to overcome Purdue’s suffocating defense?
3. Key Players: Braden Smith will be pivotal for Purdue, while John Mobley Jr. and Devin Royal need to step up if Ohio State wants to compete.

Bottom Line

Purdue is the heavy favorite in this game, especially with their strong defense and home-court advantage. Ohio State will need to play smarter and capitalize on their chances if they want to end their losing streak. If Purdue continues to dominate on defense and keeps their offense rolling, they should secure another win. But if Ohio State can clean up their mistakes and play sharper, they may just have a shot at pulling off the upset.