NU will look to continue its recent success against the Boilermakers.
After a crushing road loss against Penn State, the ‘Cats are looking to secure a big conference win against Purdue. The Boilermakers aren’t the powerhouse they’ve been in recent years, and, on paper, Northwestern matches up well against them.
The game against the Nittany Lions was marred by terrible officiating, making it one of the tougher results in recent memory. With four losses by a combined 12 points this season, Northwestern has been just shy of turning tough breaks, bad calls and injuries — like Brooks Barnhizer’s absence against Dayton — into victories. The ‘Cats have to shake off the Penn State disappointment and deliver their best in a hostile environment.
Here are three keys to the game for Northwestern as they aim to right the ship.
Neutralize Trey Kaufman-Renn in the paint
Trey Kaufman-Renn has stepped up in a big way during his junior season, filling the void left by Zach Edey’s departure to the NBA and first-year Daniel Jacobsen’s injury. After modest scoring averages of 4.5 and 6.4 points in his first two years, Kaufman-Renn has taken a huge jump, averaging 18.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. While he has made a few three-pointers this season, the bulk of his production comes from his work in the paint, often set up by point guard Braden Smith on post-ups, pick-and-rolls and floaters. Limiting Kaufman-Renn’s effectiveness not only disrupts Purdue’s offense but also forces Smith to take on more of a scoring role — something he’s capable of but leads to more one-on-one and stagnation.
Northwestern has a proven track record of shutting down interior threats, thanks to its defensive philosophy under assistant coach Chris Lowery. The team’s strategy of doubling the post has been highly effective, disrupting back-to-the-basket play and limiting opposing big men. Matthew Nicholson anchors the defense with his excellent post coverage, and the ‘Cats are at their best when Brooks Barnhizer rotates from the weak side to provide a second layer of pressure.
Although Kaufman-Renn is more mobile and less of a traditional back-to-the-basket player, the team’s success will hinge on limiting his touches and forcing Purdue to find scoring elsewhere.
Avoid foul trouble
Tight officiating has been an issue in recent games, and many fans likely remember the last time the ‘Cats faced Purdue, when the Boilermakers shot an insane 46 free throws. That Purdue team, anchored by Zach Edey, relied heavily on his ability to draw fouls and nearly fouled out all three of Northwestern’s big men in their matchups. While this year’s Purdue squad operates differently, it could be interesting to see Keenan Fitzmorris get some minutes. Though his playing time has been limited, Fitzmorris brings energy off the bench — a potential spark given Luke Hunger’s struggles this season.
Purdue drew 20.3 fouls per game last season which was good for seventh in the country. This season, they’ve dropped to 72nd but still opponents average 18.9 fouls each game. Kaufman-Renn leads Purdue in free-throw attempts with 86, but his 58% shooting from the line makes fouling him a manageable risk if necessary.
For Northwestern, staying disciplined is particularly critical for Jalen Leach and Ty Berry, who couldn’t find their rhythm in the last game due to early foul trouble — a recurring issue this season. On the bright side, their absences allowed first-years K.J. Windham and Angelo Ciaravino to step up. Both delivered strong performances, scoring eight points each, which should give coach Chris Collins greater confidence in utilizing his bench during Big Ten play.
Maintain poise in a hostile environment
Mackey Arena is among the toughest places to play in college basketball, but Northwestern’s veteran lineup — comprised entirely of upperclassmen with extensive Big Ten experience — gives the team a strong foundation to handle the pressure. The starting five will, likely, once again be leaned on heavily, as the bench lacks significant experience in high-intensity atmospheres like this.
Additionally, while Purdue doesn’t force turnovers at the same clip as Penn State (second nationally in turnovers forced per game), Smith is a crafty defender and adept at generating steals. Jalen Leach has to take extra care handling the ball to prevent Purdue from capitalizing on mistakes.
The Boilermakers’ shooting prowess from beyond the arc is another key challenge. The Boilermakers are a great three-point shooting team, 39.6%, and have the ability to go on quick scoring runs, especially with the energy of their home crowd. Controlling the tempo will be crucial, and that responsibility falls to Brooks Barnhizer, Jalen Leach and Nick Martinelli. The ‘Cats thrive in slow-paced, defensive battles, and Collins knows the team is at its best when it dictates a methodical style of play.
Though the environment will be challenging, Northwestern has the experience and talent to walk out of Mackey Arena with a victory.