Purdue Mens Basketball Defensive Plague Continues For Boilers
The defending Big Ten champion Purdue Boilermakers basketball team has struggled to start the season, especially on the defensive end of the court. Through the first nine games of the season, the Boilers have allowed an average of 70.2 points per game, which ranks 174th in the country. This defensive plague has continued from last season and is a major concern for head coach Matt Painter.
The Defensive Struggles
The defensive struggles for the Boilermakers started last season when they allowed over 65 points per game. This was a huge drop from their previous season when they only allowed 61 points per game. The Boilermakers struggled to defend the perimeter, allowing teams to shoot 36.3% from the three-point line. They also struggled to defend the paint, allowing teams to shoot 47.4% from inside the arc. These defensive struggles ultimately cost the Boilermakers a chance to advance in the NCAA tournament last year.
This season, the Boilermakers have continued to struggle on the defensive end of the court. They have allowed opponents to shoot over 45% from the field, which puts them at 195th in the country. They have also struggled against the three-point shot, allowing teams to shoot 38.5% from beyond the arc.
Reasons for the Struggles
There are a few reasons why the Boilermakers have struggled defensively. One reason is the loss of their two best defenders from last season, Carsen Edwards and Nojel Eastern. Edwards was an elite scorer but was also a solid defender, while Eastern was one of the best perimeter defenders in the Big Ten. Without these two players, the Boilermakers have struggled to find a defensive identity.
Another reason for the struggles is the lack of size on the roster. The Boilermakers do not have a true center on the roster, leaving them vulnerable in the paint. They have had to rely on smaller players to defend the post, which has led to teams shooting a high percentage from inside the arc.
Possible Solutions
The Boilermakers need to find a way to improve their defense if they want to compete in the Big Ten and make a run in the NCAA tournament. One possible solution is to play more zone defense. The zone defense would help protect the paint and force teams to shoot from the outside. This would also help the Boilermakers conserve energy on the defensive end of the court.
Another solution would be to play more man-to-man defense. This would help the Boilermakers improve their perimeter defense and force teams to take tougher shots. It would also allow the Boilermakers to play to their strengths, which is their athleticism and quickness.
Conclusion
The Purdue Boilermakers have struggled defensively to start the season, and these struggles have continued from last season. The loss of their two best defenders from last season and the lack of size on the roster have contributed to these struggles. However, there are possible solutions that the Boilermakers can implement to improve their defense. It will be interesting to see what changes head coach Matt Painter will make as the season progresses.
