Purdue looked to add a W in two countries against Alabama in a rematch of the 2023 Hall of Fame Game in Toronto
Key Players
Trey Kaufman-Renn: 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 fouls, 0 turnovers
Braden Smith: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnover
Fletcher Loyer: 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover
Labaron Philon: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 fouls, 1 turnover
Mark Sears: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 fouls, 4 turnovers
Pregame
For the first time since before Lew Alcindor became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Purdue welcomes in a top 2 non-conference opponent in Alabama. The Crimson Tide return their best player in SEC preseason player of the year, Mark Sears, who helped Bama make it to the Final Four a season ago. Back for more, Alabama comes into Mackey as the #2 team in the country looking to avenge a regular season loss to Purdue in Toronto a season ago.
1st Half
Both of these teams made the Final Four last season and this truly felt like the real heavyweight battle of the night (Tyson v Paul is dumb). It was a different battle compared to last season as 3’s seemingly refused to go down. Alabama made only a single shot from beyond the arc while Purdue made four. This was a half made in the trenches as tough rebounds, scrappy plays, and tough fouls were aplenty. Where it truly hurt Purdue was that Trey Kaufman-Renn picked up 2 fouls and Will Berg picked up 3. With the foul trouble, Purdue had to add minutes for Caleb Furst and Raleigh Burgess, who hit his first career 3 in the process.
As per the usual, Purdue’s big three of Smith, Loyer, and Kaufman-Renn scored 31 of Purdue’s 42 points in the half. For Alabama, it was Mark Sears and freshman Labaron Philon with 10 apiece. It would be Purdue ahead at the half, 42-40 after a big Loyer 3 as time expired.
2nd Half
For as intense the first half was, the second half took it and cranked it even further. Alabama began to hit some open 3’s and Purdue turned to Fletcher Loyer for offense with the help of Braden Smith. At the first media timeout of the half, Purdue and Alabama were tied at 51 after a Loyer and-1.
Still back and forth, the next session saw Alabama begin to pick up the pace and get inside the paint. The pick and roll, combined with second chance point, led to a 62-59 lead for the Crimson Tide at the under 12 media timeout.
Purdue would come out of the break with 2 missed free throws followed by an Alabama 3 to extend its lead to 6, it’s largest so far. Purdue decided to follow that up with a 13-0 run across the next 3 minutes where CJ Cox went nuclear, hitting 3 3’s in a row, one being an and-one. Alabama was forced to take a timeout following the third 3 that put Purdue up 7.
Alabama would get a second chance 3 and Trey Kaufman-Renn picked up his third foul on a loose ball to send the game into the under 8 media timeout, Purdue up 72-68.
The defense would start to clamp on both sides as Purdue again relied on TKR in the post. Trey did a great of getting to his right hook around Cliff Amoruyi who would be sent to the bench after picking up his 4th foul. Cliff did a nice job throughout of being a rim protector but as soon as he left with his fourth, TKR would attack the basket and score over Grant Nelson. When Trey wasn’t scoring, he facilitated a beautiful pass to Camden Heide for a big 3. Purdue would go up 78-71 with 3:20 left at the final media timeout.
Coming out of the timeout, TKR picked up his 4th foul on an and-1 for Nelson but remained in the game. For good measure, Trey went off a screen and roll on the other end for a score and then stripped Mark Sears on the defensive end to let Braden Smith dive for the steal. In the hands of the Big Ten preseason player of the year, Alabama would foul and Braden would make both to put Purdue up 8 with 2 and a half to play.
Over the next 2 minutes, Purdue would make hustle play after hustle play after hustle play whether it be a Cam Heide rebound off a miss while drawing a foul, a Myles Colvin high point rebound, or a Braden Smith dive out of bounds, Purdue was creating effort plays throughout the game but it really picked up at the end. Alabama for some reason did not choose to extend the game and Purdue just dwindled the clock on each possession. Purdue would take likely the best team effort on the season and delivered another huge non-conference victory.
Takeaways
Team stat to showcase tonight; turnovers, where Purdue had 3 for the entire game. That’s not just good, it’s fantastic. Purdue has had some real struggles with giving the ball away and this game proved that they can keep control. Very encouraging sign for this young team.
Purdue has a true three-headed monster in Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn. 60 of Purdue’s 87 points were from the big three but it exemplifies how many ways Purdue can beat you.
The guys not mentioned above may not score at wild clips but they play winning basketball. Specifically the defensive effort of Myles Colvin and Gicarri Harris and of course the flamethrower session from CJ Cox. These guys are young, hungry and making the right moves to help the team win.
Purdue has now won 39 straight non-conference games. That streak is impressive by itself but 7 teams were in the top 10 in this streak. Purdue is running an elite program right now and will keep looking to extend the streak.
Trey Kaufman-Renn scored a career high 26 points tonight and it’s looking like he will be the first low post option. The best lineups tonight seemed to include TKR and either Cam Heide or Caleb Furst. Call it 2 4’s or whatever you want, but Trey can run the 5.
Mackey Arena continues to show that it is a top 3 venue in the nation. At this point, it seems like Allen Fieldhouse, Cameron Indoor, and Mackey are the cream of the crop and it showed. Parents, make sure you bring your kids earmuffs when you go to games this season, especially against top teams. And Paint Crew, never change. You make it hard to hear even on TV and I commend you.
Purdue will go from one ranked matchup to another as they travel to Fiserv Forum Tuesday night to take on Marquette. Boiler Up!