NCAA Basketball: Takeaways from 2021 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic games
Purdue Boilermakers – Offensive juggernaut for 40 minutes
One thing that I’ve noticed in the first couple of weeks this season is that many leads are never safe, even if they stretch out to double-digits. Part of it has to do with early shooting slumps and droughts, as well as new-look lineups still taking time to gel offensively. That’s not the case for Purdue, who has everyone back and adds just freshman forward Caleb Furst to the fold.
Two games at Mohegan Sun:
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 21, 2021
- Zach Edey: 30 points in 38 minutes
- Trevion Williams: 29 points in 33 minutes
Matt Painter getting that duo to work effectively is scary for the rest of college basketball. Haven't seen a post duo like this in a while.
At no point against either North Carolina or Villanova were the Boilermakers in real danger, thanks to their consistently good offense. The big men duo of Zach Edey and Trevion Williams is unmatched, with one or the other on the court and providing a lethal scorer in the post.
Jaden Ivey has taken the next step in his game, going for 22 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the win over North Carolina, including a pair of big fastbreak dunks to get the momentum for good. He had just 10 points versus Villanova but guard Isaiah Thompson had four made three-pointers himself to help get them ahead.
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If there’s any weakness to the Boilermakers’ offense it’s from three-point range. However, they made 10 total in both Hall of Fame Tip-Off games, plenty enough for them to win. With how dominant Edey has looked and how good Williams is as well, you’re going to have to beat them on the perimeter to win. And if Purdue is hitting threes and Ivey is playing at a high level, few teams in the country will be able to outscore them in a given night.