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Gold and Black Radio: Purdue-Michigan and more

Karpick_headshot500x500by: Alan Karpick02/11/25AlanKarpick
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Gold and Black Radio


In our Feb. 11, 2025 edition, host Alan Karpick and GoldandBlack.com hoops guru Brian Neubert break down No. 7 Purdue’s big matchup with No. 20 Michigan in Ann Arbor.

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More on Purdue-Michigan

ABOUT THIS GAME

• Since losing at Purdue, Michigan has won four straight, but by a total of 14 points, none of those games against KenPom top-40 teams, of which the Wolverines will now face four straight, and seven out of their final eight regular season games.

• As was apparent during the first meeting with Purdue, Michigan is extremely turnover-vulnerable, turning the ball over on nearly 20 percent of its possessions in Big Ten play. (Purdue is No. 1 in the league defensively in forcing turnovers.)

Michigan does not force many turnovers, either, and has benefited this Big Ten season from a bit of good fortune in the opponents have shot only 71 percent at the foul line. That’s just luck.

• Wolf is one of the few non-Purdue players for whom a case can really be made in the Big Ten Player-of-the-Year race, as the most unique player in the league averages 14.2 points and 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in conference games. A 7-footer who frequently serves as Michigan’s primary ball-handler, Wolf shoots 40 percent from three and often runs pick-and-roll with fellow 7-footer Vladislav Goldin, who averages 18.7 points in Big Ten games.

The first Purdue game was Wolf’s worst of the season.

THREE KEYS FOR PURDUE

TURNOVERSTHREESCALEB FURST
This was the game in the first meeting. Purdue may or may not be able to get 22 turnovers or 29 points off them, again but it certainly can be disruptive and take care of the ball itself. Purdue’s ball pressure in Game 1 was exceptional and will be an emphasis for both teams again.Purdue shot really well vs. Michigan in Round 1, but that was a home game and one of those nights for the Boilermakers where they could do no wrong. Replicating the conditions of that game is no guarantee but a few early threes sure would help.Furst’s interchangeability on defense was critical in the prior win over Michigan and key to defending those 4-5 ball screens the Wolverines use. And the Purdue senior’s effort has been exceptional on the glass, dulling a real vulnerability for his team, but one that can present itself again at any time.

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