Purdue’s first trip back to Mackey Arena this season brings a different kind of test after Monday night’s 78-72 loss to No. 15 Gonzaga in Las Vegas. The Boilermakers now open a five-game homestand against Valparaiso, and there are a few clear areas worth tracking as the season settles in.
The biggest question starts behind Daniel Jacobsen. The 7-foot-4 center was outstanding against Gonzaga, posting a career-high 22 points and seven rebounds. But once he came off the floor, Purdue’s frontcourt minutes got messy.
Enzo Shahrvin was the first option off the bench when Jacobsen sat, and the results were rough. In eight minutes, he finished with two points and one rebound while also committing four turnovers and a pair of turnovers in his time on the court.
Later, Matt Painter turned to Raleigh Burgess at the five in the second half, and Burgess gave Purdue a steadier stretch. He didn’t put up big numbers, but he did score once, force a steal and chase down an offensive rebound that created an extra possession.
That rotation behind Jacobsen is one of the main things to watch Friday. Was Shahrvin simply dealing with opening-night nerves, or will Burgess be the first big off the bench when Jacobsen needs a breather?
Purdue’s shooting from deep is another issue that needs attention. The Boilermakers were just 5-of-21 from three against Gonzaga, and that followed a 2-of-25 showing against UConn that didn’t count but still reflected a rough night. Over the last two games, Purdue has hit only 7-of-46 from long range, a 15.2% clip.
The airballs stood out too. Purdue finished Monday’s game with six shots that never found the rim from beyond the arc.
And after not playing at home since the exhibition opener against Ball State on Oct. 18, the Boilers will see whether a return to Mackey helps them find some rhythm. They still have to shoot well away from home, especially in the Big Ten, but a few games in a familiar building could help settle things down.
Defensively, Purdue also has room to turn up the heat. Gicarri Harris, C.J. Cox and Antione West Jr. handled the perimeter work well enough against Gonzaga, but the Boilers may be able to apply even more pressure against Valparaiso.
That matters because forcing turnovers and turning them into transition chances should be a strength for this group, especially when the outside shots aren’t falling. Valparaiso averaged 10.4 turnovers per game last season and had just nine in its season-opening win over Western Illinois. Purdue will be looking to see whether its guards can disrupt the Beacons and create easy points the other way.
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Maryland Faces A Brutal Big Ten Test As Pressure Builds Fast
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For Maryland, the backdrop is even more unsettled with interim coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim guiding the program after Mike Locksleys departure. Purdue, meanwhile, is trying to keep building under Barry Odom after recently snapping its own long conference skid, and both staffs have been talking about progress without pretending the work is finished. It leaves this as more than just another Big Ten game, because for both sides the next step matters almost as much as the result. [Read more 🡒]
Purdues Home Opener Brings A Sneaky Challenge For The Boilermakers
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The Beacons have leaned into a style that can make life uncomfortable for bigger, more talented teams, with an emphasis on getting downhill, drawing fouls and taking care of the ball. For Purdue, that means the home opener is less about easing into the schedule and more about handling a team that can force a different kind of game if the Boilermakers are not sharp from the start. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Faces A Brutal Homecoming Test It Cant Afford To Fail
Homecoming arrives at a tricky moment for Purdue, which is trying to stop a two-game skid and steady itself before the schedule gets any less forgiving. Maryland comes to West Lafayette under interim coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim and is still searching for its first Big Ten win, but that does not make this feel like a soft landing for the Boilermakers. For Purdue, the bigger issue is whether it can clean up the mistakes that have piled up on both sides of the ball and give itself a chance to play with more control at home.
Aidan Brownes recent play has become part of the concern, and Purdues defense has not offered much margin for error in the last few games. That combination has made this a far more delicate spot than a typical Homecoming matchup, especially for a team trying to avoid letting a winnable opportunity slip away. The Boilermakers do not need a perfect performance, but they do need something closer to the version of themselves that can handle pressure rather than add to it. [Read more 🡒]