Busting Brackets
Fansided

Purdue Basketball: Five storylines to follow for the 2017 Big Ten Tournament

By Bryce Bennett

Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) stands along the foul line during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Indiana 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) stands along the foul line during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Indiana 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) talks to guard Dakota Mathias (31) during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) talks to guard Dakota Mathias (31) during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

3. How well will the Boilermakers shoot?

Purdue is known for its large, imposing front court.

Related Story: Previewing Purdue versus Northwestern

Forgetting about their shooting would be a mistake, though.

The Boilermakers led the Big Ten this season shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range as a team. It has five players (Caleb Swanigan, Ryan Cline, Dakota Mathias, Vincent Edwards and P.J. Thompson) that all average 39+ percent from distance.

Purdue’s shooting is part of a concerted effort by coach Matt Painter to recruit a “pick your poison” approach to the Boilermakers’ post presence. Opponents have to decide whether to double the post and risk a barrage of three-pointers or play tightly on the perimeter and risk foul trouble and easy baskets from Purdue’s bigs. Some teams have tried both, usually to no avail.

More from Purdue Boilermakers

There might be some signs that Purdue’s three-point shooting has hit a roadblock over its last seven games. The Boilermakers’ three-point shooting percentage has only been above 40 percent in two of those games (at Penn State and vs. Indiana). Purdue needs to hit some three’s or teams will sag the paint and take away Swanigan/Isaac Haas.

Despite some of the recent struggles shooting from distance, Purdue’s free throw shooting has been solid all season. The Boilermakers shoot 77 percent as a team. Even Swanigan (79 percent) and Haas (72 percent), big guys who might not normally shoot well from the line, have been solid. Many games this season have been iced and won at the line. Expect more close game situations this March.

Much of what Purdue does obviously goes through Swanigan. Three-point shooting is a key ancillary function to the Boilermakers and a main stat to follow during their Big Ten Tournament run. If they are shooting well, I’m not sure anyone can beat them.

Next up are some NCAA Tournament seeding possibilities for the Boilermakers this week.

Home/Purdue Boilermakers