Purdue Basketball Game 31 preview: Illinois
WEST LAFAYETTE – With the outright Big Ten championship secured and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament locked up, Purdue plays its final regular season game Sunday against Illinois at Mackey Arena. It’s Senior Day and transfer David Jenkins, Jr., and Matt Frost, a former walk-on who’s now on scholarship, will be recognized. The Fighting Illini sit in a seven-team tie for second place in the conference standings.
Where: Mackey Arena
When: Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Radio: Purdue Sports Network (WAZY locally)
In-game updates: GoldandBlack.com | Twitter @mike_carmin
ABOUT THE TEAMS
Purdue: Roster | Schedule | Stats
Illinois: Roster | Schedule | Stats
NUMBERS AND SUCH
ON ILLINOIS (20-10, 11-8 B1G)
• The Fighting Illini have some solid wins – UCLA and Texas – but some disturbing losses – Ohio State and Penn State twice. Illinois, though, can still finish as high as second or out of the top four depending on this weekend’s results around the league. Although the Illini have one two-game losing streak, this season hasn’t been a smooth ride. That’s the price of bringing in numerous transfers to fill the holes left by last year’s team.
• Here’s something new. Forward Matthew Meyer was sick last week due to caffeine-induced poisoning after drinking six Monster Energy drinks. He drank one prior to the Illini playing Ohio State but consumed five following the loss in order to play video games. Meyer called it a “caffeine hangover” and couldn’t get out of bed. He returned to practice Wednesday and scored 24 points in Thursday’s double-overtime win against Michigan. Mayer brought two cans of Monster Energy to the press conference following the victory. That’s a sweet NIL deal heading his way.
• Illinois leads the Big Ten in 2-point field goal percentage in conference games, hitting 53.4%. However, the Illini are last in 3-point field goal percentage, hitting just 29% in 19 league games. They’re the only Big Ten team shooting less than 30% from beyond the arc against conference competition.
PROJECTED ILLINOIS LINEUPS
Forward — 42 Dain Dainja (6-9, 270, So.)
Second on the team in rebounding (5.7) and is shooting 65% from 2-point range. Reached double figures six times against Big Ten opponents, including four during a five-game stretch. Transferred from Baylor in the middle of the 2021-22 season and practiced with the team during the second semester last year.
Guard/Forward — 33 Coleman Hawkins (6-10, 210, Jr.)
Led the Illini in scoring 10 times over the last 21 games, including five of the last 10. He’s scored 12 or more points in four of the last seven games. Pulled down double-digit rebounds a team-best three times this season and has led Illinois in that category in 13 games.
Guard/Forward— 24 Matthew Mayer (6-9, 225, 5th year)
Scored 24 points, two off of his career high (26 at Wisconsin), in Thursday’s double-overtime victory over Michigan. Has scored 20 or more points this season seven times.
Guard — 0 Terrance Shannon, Jr. (6-6, 225, Sr.)
The Texas Tech transfer scored 13 of his 21 points at the free-throw line against the Wolverines on a career-high 16 attempts. He’s scored 20 or more points in a team-leading 10 games this season. Took over the victory against Northwestern in the second half, bringing the Illini back from a double-digit deficit. Loves to drive to the basket using his left hand.
Guard— 15 RJ Melendez (6-7, 205, So.)
Appeared in 29 games and made 15 starts. Had 12 points in the double-overtime win against Michigan.
Bench
Guard – 20 Ty Rogers (6-6, 200, Fr.)
Posted a career-best 14 points against Penn State on Feb. 14. Playing more at point guard over the last few games.
Guard – 10 Luke Goode (6-7, 210, So.)
Underwent surgery on Oct. 22 to repair a bone fracture in his left foot and returned to practice on Feb. 2. Made season debut on Feb. 11 against Rutgers. Appeared in seven games, averaging 2.0 points. Teammate of Purdue freshman Fletcher Loyer at Homestead.
Guard — 1 Sencire Harris (6-4, 160, Fr.)
Known for bringing a defensive approach, Harris will see more playing time with Jayden Epps sidelined. Helped keep Northwestern’s Boo Buie in check on Feb. 23.
ON PURDUE (25-5, 14-5 B1G)
• The long journey to the program’s 25th Big Ten championship ended Thursday with a two-point victory against Wisconsin. Purdue was near the top of the standings all season and took control with a nine-game winning streak following a loss to Rutgers in early January. Although the Boilermakers had lost four of six games prior to Thursday, they kept their lead and closed out the championship.
• There’s still a lot to play for with the Big Ten title secured. Purdue remains in contention for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, an achievement last reached in 1996. A victory Sunday along with reaching the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament should place the Boilermakers in a good position. It also depends on how Alabama, Houston, Kansas and UCLA fare in their conference tournaments.
• The shooting woes from 3-point range continue after Purdue was 4 of 19 against Wisconsin. In the last five games, the Boilermakers are shooting 24.7% from beyond the arc, but Thursday’s win demonstrated what they can accomplish inside the 3-point line. Purdue was 20 of 29 from 2-point range, a big reason why it outlasted the Badgers. Wisconsin hit 10 3-pointers and outscored the Boilermakers by 21 points from beyond the arc, but lost the game. How Purdue fares shooting 3-pointers is a measurement of success but not the only one.
PROJECTED PURDUE LINEUPS
Starters
Center — 15 Zach Edey (7-4, 290, Junior)
Started Thursday’s game at Wisconsin going 1 of 6 from the free throw line but made two big ones down the stretch to help secure the victory. Attempted only nine field goals but made seven and finished with 17 points and 19 rebounds. Purdue is now 7-0 when Edey takes nine or fewer shots. Averaging 15.3 rebounds in the last three games.
Forward — 0 Mason Gillis (6-6, 230, Junior)
Returned to the starting lineup against the Badgers but didn’t score for the fourth time this season. Hasn’t made a 3-pointer in four straight games after making three at Northwestern on Feb. 12.
Guard — 3 Braden Smith (6-0, 180, Freshman)
Is 8-for-8 from the free-throw line the last three games, including four late in Thursday’s win. Continues to rebound well from the guard position and has eight assists in the last two games. Like everyone else, trying to find consistency from the 3-point line.
Guard — 2 Fletcher Loyer (6-4, 185, Freshman)
Played with a different pace against the Badgers, aided by two early shots going in. He’ll never lose confidence but the results are starting to come with 10 field goals and 27 total points in the last two games. Made at least one 3-pointer in three straight games.
Guard/Forward — 5 Brandon Newman (6-5, 200, Junior)
Made his first start of the season replacing Ethan Morton in the lineup. Two steals in the first half led to two layups, a sign Newman is playing through his defense and not just his offense. Was 0 of 5 from 3-point range against the Badgers but converted two free throws with 21.5 seconds to play. Totaled 29 points in the last four games.
Rotational Reserves
Forward — 1 Caleb Furst (6-10, 230, Sophomore)
The Boilermakers are 9-0 when Furst comes off the bench.
Guard — 14 David Jenkins Jr. (6-1, 200, Senior)
Hit two midrange jumpers in the second half against Wisconsin to keep Purdue close. Just 2 of 15 from 3-point range in the last six games.
Guard/Forward — 25 Ethan Morton (6-7, 215, Junior)
Came off the bench for the first time this season against the Badgers and drained a pair of 3-pointers. He’s 5 of 10 from beyond the arc in the last three games.
Forward/Center — 4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (6-9, 225, Redshirt Freshman)
Providing good minutes and continues to be paired with Edey inside for longer stretches.
Guard/Forward — 11 Brian Waddell (6-8, 195, Redshirt Freshman)
Note: Freshman center Will Berg and wing Camden Heide will redshirt this season.
LIGHTNING-ROUND TAKES
• Battle of the boards Sunday? The top two rebounding teams in Big Ten games are set to square off. The Illini love to block shots. They’re the only team in the conference with 100 or more blocks in league games.
• Could the Boilermakers see the Illini again in their first game of the Big Ten tournament? Possibly. Seven teams are packed together with eight losses, including six with 11 wins.
• Illinois is 3-6 on the road in Big Ten wins. The three victories – Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Those three teams are 18-38 in conference action.
PREDICTION: PURDUE 73, ILLINOIS 63
The Boilermakers celebrated their Big Ten championship inside their locker room in the Kohl Center but it was with little fanfare. A victory Sunday would allow the program to recognize the accomplishment before another sellout at Mackey Arena and put the finishing touches on the regular season. Illinois is desperate to crack the top four and earn a double bye in the conference tournament but would need help even with a victory over Purdue.
