Oscar Cluff, No. 6 Purdue dominate Marquette

It didn’t matter what defender Marquette put on Oscar Cluff because it wasn’t going to work.

Cluff was the man among the boys on this snowy Saturday.

The 6-foot-11 Cluff dominated inside as sixth-ranked Purdue pounded the Golden Eagles 79-59 inside Mackey Arena.

Cluff, a transfer from South Dakota State, had his way, facing multiple Marquette defenders, who didn’t have the strength to move him away from the block.

Cluff made his first nine field goal attempts and recorded his fourth double double five minutes into the second half. He finished with 22 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.

PDF: Purdue-Marquette stats

More: Analysis | Wrap Video | Stat Blast | Final Thoughts | Gallery | Pod

PURDUE COACH MATT PAINTER

PURDUE’S FLETCHER LOYER, BRADEN SMITH AND OSCAR CLUFF

Defense and turnovers ruled the day until late in the first half, when Cluff played a key role in creating separation. Both teams had turnover problems, but Purdue overcame its issues by seeking high-percentage shots and elevated its defense.

The Boilermakers scored nine straight points to build an 18-point lead late in the first half as Cluff’s hook shot on the offensive end and a blocked shot on the defensive end ignited the crowd.

Cluff scored 11 straight points in the second half for the Boilermakers, who kept feeding their big man at every opportunity.

Fletcher Loyer added 15 points, hitting four 3-pointers, and Trey Kaufman-Renn totaled 10 points and nine rebounds. Braden Smith chipped in seven points but handed out 10 assists.

Purdue’s defense put the clamp on the Golden Eagles’ offense.

Marquette’s shooting percentage dipped below 30% in the second half after missing 11 of 14 shots after halftime. Part of that defense was the rim protection by Cluff, Kaufman-Renn and Daniel Jacobsen. Cluff and Jacobsen combined for four blocks.

Meanwhile, Purdue shot over 50%, in part because of Cluff’s production in the paint. The Boilermakers finished with 36 points in the paint.

MORE COMFORTABLE

If Saturday was Cluff settling into his comfort zone 11 games into the season, the Boilermakers will easily find another gear with their offense.

Marquette’s choice not to double-team Cluff allowed him to dominate in the paint on nearly every possession. From the first two games of the season to now, Cluff has blended in well with his new teammates.

“I knew it was going to take a little bit of time to be comfortable, especially with the arena and the fans,” Cluff said. “It’s a little different than anything that I played in before.”

It looked natural during Saturday’s performance.

Rebounding was the main reason Matt Painter targeted Cluff in the transfer portal since that area was a glaring need after last season. Now add the point production, and this team becomes more dangerous with Cluff and Kaufman-Renn roaming inside.

“You’re starting to see a little bit more offense, but his usage level with us is less than it was last year, to his defense,” Painter said. “In the second half, he just kept scoring down there. It really put them in a bind, and they had to change what they were doing.”

Cluff isn’t the only weapon. Add Jacobsen’s impact down low, and the Boilermakers have numerous options to control the inside. The Golden Eagles clearly didn’t have an answer, and the other teams will struggle to slow the trio of inside players.

And if more attention shifts inside, Smith and Loyer, and the rest of the guards are ready to contribute.

“I just feel like they don’t have a whole lot of answers, because we have a very talented guard group,” Smith said. “If they’re guarding us the way that they do, and then they can’t stop everything.

“For us to get them the ball and how talented they are down low, it makes our job so much easier, but it makes their job so much harder because they can’t do everything.”

More importantly, Cluff entered a program in win-now mode. Not just to win games but to win championships at the highest level as Smith, Loyer, and Kaufman-Renn finish out their careers.

“When he stepped on campus, he understood it pretty quickly where our goals were, and I think that’s probably why he chose to come play here, not putting words in (his) mouth,” Smith said. “I’d like to assume that’s probably why he chose to come here because he understands our culture is so special, and the group that we have is so special.”

MILESTONE REACHED

Smith issued a warning after the question was asked.

“You’re not going to like it,” he said of his impending answer.

With his first assist on Saturday, the Westfield native became the second player in NCAA history with 1,500 points, 850 assists, and 550 career rebounds, joining Ohio’s D.J. Cooper (2010-13).

Smith recently was involved in a conversation about the potential milestone, including with former Boilermaker Lance Jones, who said, “That’s a crazy accomplishment.”

Smith downplayed the upcoming milestone.

“We have bigger goals that we want to achieve, and I think that’s the reason we came back was because those are the goals, not these small little steps that we’re achieving as a group and individually,” Smith said. “My main thing is to win it all. I think if that happens, then all these smaller things will add up and probably mean something when I’m older and done playing basketball.”

“REALLY GOOD FREE SAFETY”

When the Boilermakers struggled in the first half on Wednesday against Minnesota, Smith kept it together. Not necessarily with his offense, but his energy and aggressiveness on defense, collecting steals and causing deflections.

During the first half against the Golden Gophers, Smith had nine deflections.

Fast forward to Saturday, when Smith’s priority was once again establishing a defensive tone. He had two steals in the first half, triggering the transition game.

“It’s taken me four years to realize to start playing harder on defense,” Smith joked. “Definitely the Minnesota game, I felt like we were – and I said it before – not coming out how we should. As one of the guys on the team that people look toward, you’ve got to figure out a way to get the energy going and get guys picked up.”

 Smith and the Boilermakers had a greater sense of urgency on the defensive end against Marquette, forcing eight of its 12 turnovers in the first half. The turnovers slowed the offense and the Golden Eagles struggled to stay above 30% shooting throughout the game.

Painter said Smith would make a “really good free safety in football,” because of his ability to roam.

“His instincts and his ability to see things and play on the ball are really good, and sometimes … we can’t put the offensive players where you want, right?” Painter said. “Sometimes it’s just organically, like him being in the right spots. That’s really good for us because he’s great at reading eyes and pouncing on people when they make tough passes.”