Tom's article: https://iowa.n.rivals.com/news/hawkeye-tip-time-10
Purdue Boilermakers (17-3, 5-2) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (15-3, 6-0)
Tip Time: 12:06 p.m.
TV: BTN – Corey Provus, Jon Crispin, and Mike Hall on the call.
Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
History: Purdue holds the all-time advantage in the series between the two schools, 87-74. Iowa won the meeting earlier this season at Purdue, rallying from a 17 point halftime deficit to defeat the Boilermakers, 70-63. Iowa has won three of the last four meetings between the two schools. Iowa holds a 50-27 advantage in games played in Iowa City and has won ten of the last sixteen at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Fran McCaffery is 4-6 against the Boilermakers since taking over the Iowa program. Matt Painter is 12-6 against the Hawkeyes in his time at Purdue.
THE LINE: Iowa is a 4 point favorite.
THE LINEUPS
PURDUE
Vince Edwards – 9.7 ppg.
Caleb Swanigan – 10.4 ppg.
A.J. Hammons – 13.5 ppg
Johnny Hill – 5.7 ppg
Rapheal Davis – 8.8 ppg
IOWA
Adam Woodbury – 8.7 ppg
Jarrod Uthoff – 18.7 ppg
Peter Jok – 14.8 ppg
Anthony Clemmons – 8.5 ppg
Mike Gesell – 8.9 ppg
PLAYER TO WATCH
Vince Edwards – The talented forward has really been coming on in the past few weeks and he is certainly the player to watch from the Boilermaker perspective. In the first meeting with the Hawkeyes, Edwards scored 7 points in the loss. Since that game, he has really picked up his scoring at all levels. He has scored in double figures in four of the last five games and is averaging 12.4 points per game. That also included the game against Penn State where he was 4-4 from three point range. Purdue has a bigger lineup and with a 6-foot-8 Edwards at the three, that makes him a tough cover. It’s not unlike Iowa last year with Jarrod Uthoff at the three. His length could also cause problems on the defensive end for Peter Jok, who has been red hot for the Hawkeyes.
KEY MATCH-UP
Adam Woodbury vs. A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas – A pair of 7-footers against the Hawkeyes big man. In the first meeting this season, Woodbury didn’t put up huge numbers, just 6 points and 7 rebounds. The most important thing that happened from an Iowa perspective was Woodbury stayed out of foul trouble, committing just one foul. Hammons and Haas combined for 17 points and 13 rebounds, but if it’s possible, those were quiet numbers. It never felt like they completely dominated the game and the big reason Purdue opened up a big lead in the first half was due to three point shooting. This might not be the biggest match-up for Purdue, but it is for Iowa. The Hawkeyes are simply a better defensive team when Woodbury is on the floor, especially in this game. Iowa and Woodbury will have to keep the Purdue big men off the offensive glass.
STATS AND NOTES
Purdue is 3-5 against ranked Iowa teams in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and 2-2 when both teams are in the national rankings. Purdue will be without reserve guard Kendall Stephens, who was left home due to personal reasons. In the first meeting this season, Stephens led the Boilermakers with 12 points. Iowa has won 12 straight regular season Big Ten games, dating back to last season. That is Iowa’s longest streak since the 1969-70 season. The Hawkeyes 6-0 start in Big Ten play is their best since the 1986-87 season. Jarrod Uthoff leads the Big Ten in scoring and rebounds. After scoring 20 points on Thursday night in the win over Rutgers, Uthoff became the 44th player in Iowa history to score 1,000 points in his career. Uthoff is on the mid-season Wooden Award Watch list. He has 56 blocked shots this season, which is the 8th best in Iowa history and ties his season total from last year. With his career best 29 points against Rutgers, Peter Jok went over 600 career points. Mike Gesell has 478 career assists, which is two assists behind Ronnie Lester for fifth all-time in Iowa basketball history. Gesell also has 126 assists this season. Iowa is 9-0 at home this season. They are 3-0 this season in games played on Sunday and 6-0 in games played on the Big Ten Network.
THE PICK
The first meeting between the two schools was one of the more interesting games of the season in the Big Ten. Iowa really struggled in the first half with Jarrod Uthoff scoring 16 of Iowa’s 20 points to keep them within shouting distance, if shouting distance is trailing by 17 points at the half.
Then Fran McCaffery dialed up the pressure with his 1-2-2 pressure and all of the sudden, the Hawkeyes got back in the game because Purdue’s guard play at the point position was subpar and they could never find their footing again in the game and the Hawkeyes pulled away for the win.
This time around you have to think that Purdue will be better prepared for the press and I think it’s fair to say that the Boilermaker guards (Hill and P.J. Thompson) have shown signs of improvement since the first meeting. I suspect that if needed, McCaffery will throw the press at Purdue, but will it be as effective this time around?
One thing of note heading into this game is it’s probably Purdue’s toughest road game thus far this season. The Boilers did win at Pittsburgh in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and they have a win at Wisconsin, which isn’t as good as it has been in previous years. They also have a loss at Illinois. How will they react to a tough road environment and a sold out arena? I think that’s a big question heading into the game.
On the court, the front court battle will be very interesting. In the first meeting, Caleb Swanigan shot 3-10 from the floor and was frustrated by Uthoff. Will he struggle again from the floor? Fran McCaffery touched on this during the week, as much as we talk about Purdue’s size up front, and it is formidable, the true telling point with their team is how well they shoot the ball from three. The first meeting is a classic example of that. In the first half, they knocked down three point shots at a crazy rate. In the second half, they went cold and lost their lead. If there’s one stat to watch, keep an eye on their three point field goal percentage.
From the Iowa perspective, they were sloppy on Thursday evening in the win over Rutgers, particularly on the defensive end. McCaffery didn’t seem to be all that concerned about it and I think it’s fair to say that part of the effort might have been due to the opponent. There was also some quick shooting and questionable shot selection in the first half, but that improved after halftime. The health of Mike Gesell is also something to watch. While we don’t know the extent of it, Gesell, who has played well against Purdue, didn’t score, but ran the team at his usual level. He apparently tweaked his ankle on Thursday and might be nursing a bit of a sore hamstring. Iowa needs a healthy Gesell on Sunday.
How will it all play out? I don’t think there’s any question that the Boilermakers are coming into this game with revenge on their mind. In the first meeting they were the hunted team and this time around, Iowa is sitting at the top of the Big Ten standings and they are being hunted. I expect this to be a very close game and it’s going to come down to the final couple of minutes. Just don’t see this one being a ten point win for either team. I think this Iowa team continues to find a way to win games late and their guard play makes a big difference down the stretch. IOWA 72 PURDUE 69
Purdue Boilermakers (17-3, 5-2) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (15-3, 6-0)
Tip Time: 12:06 p.m.
TV: BTN – Corey Provus, Jon Crispin, and Mike Hall on the call.
Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
History: Purdue holds the all-time advantage in the series between the two schools, 87-74. Iowa won the meeting earlier this season at Purdue, rallying from a 17 point halftime deficit to defeat the Boilermakers, 70-63. Iowa has won three of the last four meetings between the two schools. Iowa holds a 50-27 advantage in games played in Iowa City and has won ten of the last sixteen at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Fran McCaffery is 4-6 against the Boilermakers since taking over the Iowa program. Matt Painter is 12-6 against the Hawkeyes in his time at Purdue.
THE LINE: Iowa is a 4 point favorite.
THE LINEUPS
PURDUE
Vince Edwards – 9.7 ppg.
Caleb Swanigan – 10.4 ppg.
A.J. Hammons – 13.5 ppg
Johnny Hill – 5.7 ppg
Rapheal Davis – 8.8 ppg
IOWA
Adam Woodbury – 8.7 ppg
Jarrod Uthoff – 18.7 ppg
Peter Jok – 14.8 ppg
Anthony Clemmons – 8.5 ppg
Mike Gesell – 8.9 ppg
PLAYER TO WATCH
Vince Edwards – The talented forward has really been coming on in the past few weeks and he is certainly the player to watch from the Boilermaker perspective. In the first meeting with the Hawkeyes, Edwards scored 7 points in the loss. Since that game, he has really picked up his scoring at all levels. He has scored in double figures in four of the last five games and is averaging 12.4 points per game. That also included the game against Penn State where he was 4-4 from three point range. Purdue has a bigger lineup and with a 6-foot-8 Edwards at the three, that makes him a tough cover. It’s not unlike Iowa last year with Jarrod Uthoff at the three. His length could also cause problems on the defensive end for Peter Jok, who has been red hot for the Hawkeyes.
KEY MATCH-UP
Adam Woodbury vs. A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas – A pair of 7-footers against the Hawkeyes big man. In the first meeting this season, Woodbury didn’t put up huge numbers, just 6 points and 7 rebounds. The most important thing that happened from an Iowa perspective was Woodbury stayed out of foul trouble, committing just one foul. Hammons and Haas combined for 17 points and 13 rebounds, but if it’s possible, those were quiet numbers. It never felt like they completely dominated the game and the big reason Purdue opened up a big lead in the first half was due to three point shooting. This might not be the biggest match-up for Purdue, but it is for Iowa. The Hawkeyes are simply a better defensive team when Woodbury is on the floor, especially in this game. Iowa and Woodbury will have to keep the Purdue big men off the offensive glass.
STATS AND NOTES
Purdue is 3-5 against ranked Iowa teams in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and 2-2 when both teams are in the national rankings. Purdue will be without reserve guard Kendall Stephens, who was left home due to personal reasons. In the first meeting this season, Stephens led the Boilermakers with 12 points. Iowa has won 12 straight regular season Big Ten games, dating back to last season. That is Iowa’s longest streak since the 1969-70 season. The Hawkeyes 6-0 start in Big Ten play is their best since the 1986-87 season. Jarrod Uthoff leads the Big Ten in scoring and rebounds. After scoring 20 points on Thursday night in the win over Rutgers, Uthoff became the 44th player in Iowa history to score 1,000 points in his career. Uthoff is on the mid-season Wooden Award Watch list. He has 56 blocked shots this season, which is the 8th best in Iowa history and ties his season total from last year. With his career best 29 points against Rutgers, Peter Jok went over 600 career points. Mike Gesell has 478 career assists, which is two assists behind Ronnie Lester for fifth all-time in Iowa basketball history. Gesell also has 126 assists this season. Iowa is 9-0 at home this season. They are 3-0 this season in games played on Sunday and 6-0 in games played on the Big Ten Network.
THE PICK
The first meeting between the two schools was one of the more interesting games of the season in the Big Ten. Iowa really struggled in the first half with Jarrod Uthoff scoring 16 of Iowa’s 20 points to keep them within shouting distance, if shouting distance is trailing by 17 points at the half.
Then Fran McCaffery dialed up the pressure with his 1-2-2 pressure and all of the sudden, the Hawkeyes got back in the game because Purdue’s guard play at the point position was subpar and they could never find their footing again in the game and the Hawkeyes pulled away for the win.
This time around you have to think that Purdue will be better prepared for the press and I think it’s fair to say that the Boilermaker guards (Hill and P.J. Thompson) have shown signs of improvement since the first meeting. I suspect that if needed, McCaffery will throw the press at Purdue, but will it be as effective this time around?
One thing of note heading into this game is it’s probably Purdue’s toughest road game thus far this season. The Boilers did win at Pittsburgh in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and they have a win at Wisconsin, which isn’t as good as it has been in previous years. They also have a loss at Illinois. How will they react to a tough road environment and a sold out arena? I think that’s a big question heading into the game.
On the court, the front court battle will be very interesting. In the first meeting, Caleb Swanigan shot 3-10 from the floor and was frustrated by Uthoff. Will he struggle again from the floor? Fran McCaffery touched on this during the week, as much as we talk about Purdue’s size up front, and it is formidable, the true telling point with their team is how well they shoot the ball from three. The first meeting is a classic example of that. In the first half, they knocked down three point shots at a crazy rate. In the second half, they went cold and lost their lead. If there’s one stat to watch, keep an eye on their three point field goal percentage.
From the Iowa perspective, they were sloppy on Thursday evening in the win over Rutgers, particularly on the defensive end. McCaffery didn’t seem to be all that concerned about it and I think it’s fair to say that part of the effort might have been due to the opponent. There was also some quick shooting and questionable shot selection in the first half, but that improved after halftime. The health of Mike Gesell is also something to watch. While we don’t know the extent of it, Gesell, who has played well against Purdue, didn’t score, but ran the team at his usual level. He apparently tweaked his ankle on Thursday and might be nursing a bit of a sore hamstring. Iowa needs a healthy Gesell on Sunday.
How will it all play out? I don’t think there’s any question that the Boilermakers are coming into this game with revenge on their mind. In the first meeting they were the hunted team and this time around, Iowa is sitting at the top of the Big Ten standings and they are being hunted. I expect this to be a very close game and it’s going to come down to the final couple of minutes. Just don’t see this one being a ten point win for either team. I think this Iowa team continues to find a way to win games late and their guard play makes a big difference down the stretch. IOWA 72 PURDUE 69
