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Purdue vs Gonzaga: 2023 Maui Invitational game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

Oct 28, 2023; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) reacts during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 81-77. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) reacts during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 81-77. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the last meeting between Gonzaga and Purdue, the Boilermakers dominated the WCC team. Can they repeat that performance in the Maui Invitational quarters?

TV schedule: Monday, November 20th, 5:00 pm (approx) ESPN2

Arena: Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii

This year’s Maui Invitational is one of the most stacked groups in recent MTE history. It’s so stacked that we have two top-12 programs facing off in the quarterfinals between No. 2 Purdue (3-0) and No. 11 Gonzaga (2-0). They’re familiar with one another, as the Boilermakers beat the Bulldogs in last year’s PK85 Tournament, 84-68.

Zach Edey had 23 points and seven rebounds in that game, part of his eventual run to National Player of the Year. He’s back and picking up where he left off, averaging 20.7 ppg and 10.0 rpg to this point. Sophomore guard Braden Smith is one of the top passers in the country, averaging 11.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 8.3 apg. Two newcomers on the roster have also had an impact for Purdue, including freshman Myles Colvin and transfer Lances Jones (9.7 ppg and 3.7 apg).

Their opponents Gonzaga also has some new faces, led by Creighton transfer, Ryan Nembhard (11.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg), who runs the offense at point. He has plenty of great frontcourt players to throw the ball to, led by Wyoming transfer Graham Ike (18.0 ppg) and senior Anton Watson (15.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg). The early breakout contributor for the Bulldogs is Braden Huff, a redshirt freshman producing 21.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg off the bench.

But Purdue is going to be a much tougher task for a Gonzaga team that’s depleted on the perimeter. They already had depth issues after losing several players this offseason and Eastern Washington transfer wing Steele Venters is out for the season with an injury. Freshman guard Dusty Stromer has taken his place, with Jun Seok Yeo and Luka Krajnovic getting minutes on the wing as well.

Next. 2023 Maui Invitational preview. dark

Gonzaga’s strength is inside but with Edey in the way, it could be hard for the WCC team to get its offense going. And since neither Ike nor Huff are great interior defenders, it’s hard to see how the Bulldogs can stop him. As long as the guards for Purdue makes their shots from the perimeter, this should be a very winnable game for them.

Prediction: Purdue 83, Gonzaga 68

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