One of the most popular upset picks in this year's NCAA tournament, Purdue takes on High Point in one of the opening games.
The Boilermakers come in on a losing skid, as they've lost six of their last nine, while High Point comes in winning 14 straight.
Key 1: Exposing drop coverage
Recent All-American Braden Smith leads Purdue as one of the best point guards in basketball. Naturally, this leads to a significant amount of pick and roll offense, in which Smith excels.
High Point typically plays drop coverage, so Smith's ability to make decisions off the ball screen will be imperative. This will require him to hit some pull-up jump shots, as well as teammates to move off ball freeing up passing lanes.
Playing against a coverage that is friendly to ball screen offense, opportunities will be there. Purdue and Smith's ability to take advantage will likely be the difference.
Key 2: Winning the glass
Purdue is just 1-4 against teams in the top 60 nationally in offensive rebounding. The Panthers fit the bill, as they rank 58th nationally.
Purdue will need gang rebounding to limit High Point to one possession. The Panthers have some strong size inside including true seven-footer Juslin Bodo Bodo. Purdue will needs athletes like Mysles Colvin and Cam Heide to help down to combat the High Point size.
If Purdue can stay even on the boards, they have a strong chance of staying upset free.
Key 3: Cutting off driving lanes
High Point is led on offense by Kezza Giffa, Kimani Hamilton and D'Maurian Williams. While Giffa and Hamilton are not the best shooters, they all excel at getting downhill.
This will force Purdue to be disciplined in the driving lanes and making it difficult to get downhill. High Point being able to get downhill would put a lot of stress on Purdue star big Trey Kaufman-Renn at the rim and risk foul trouble.
Using some of the bigger guards on Purdue's roster such as Colvin and Gicarri Harris in order to cut off drivers and force High Point into midrange shots.