NCAAB · 1 year ago

How Purdue Can Beat NC State: 5 Keys to Victory

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Get NC State In Foul Trouble
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have talent, but they were not a good team for most of the season. If not for a few fortunate events, they could have missed the NCAA Tournament altogether. What has allowed NC State to go on this magical run? One of the most significant differences has been that head coach Kevin Keatts drastically reduced his playing rotation. North Carolina State inserted Mohamed Diarra into the starting lineup, increasing his usage during the tournament. The average minutes for point guard Michael O’Connell have gone from 25.4 minutes per game to 38.75 in the tournament. Jayden Taylor has been bumped from the starting lineup and has seen his minutes dip by nine per game. The Wolfpack only feel comfortable with seven of their players, and dipping further into the rotation is not something Keatts wants to do. Purdue, mainly Zach Edey, gets every opponent into foul trouble. That seems like a significant problem for the Wolfpack.
1. Operate Through Zach Edey
The importance of playing through Zach Edey is not something Purdue needs reminding of. The defending National Player of the Year (and about to become the two-time National Player of the Year) and 7’4” center is the focal point of Purdue’s attack, and they need to get him the ball consistently. Purdue’s other four players can stagnate at times, standing around and watching Edey operate down low. The offense is at its best when players like Braden Smith, Lance Jones, and Fletcher Loyer move to give Edey pass options when double-teamed.

Purdue (-9.5) vs. NC State
2. Be Good Enough From 3
The Purdue Boilermakers are one of the better three-point shooting teams in the country. Zach Edey is the offense's anchor, providing open set shots from the perimeter, and the Boilers have taken full advantage. They do not need to be extraordinary from three to beat the North Carolina State, but they probably need to be better than they were against Tennessee. Purdue shot only 3-15 from behind the arc against the Volunteers, and a repeat performance could put them in trouble on Saturday night. Playing in a Final Four setting inside a football stadium occasionally causes shooting issues, but Purdue needs to bounce back to near their 40% average.
3. Limit Turnovers
One of the quickest ways to help an undermanned opponent is to turn the ball over. It’s an oft-repeated stat but still very true: Purdue is 27-0 when they commit 13 or fewer turnovers. Turnovers prevent an efficient offense from scoring and allow opponents opportunities for easy points before Purdue’s defense can get set. Purdue lost four games this season; their turnover totals were 17, 16, 14, and 16. This is straightforward, but Purdue wins if they take care of the ball.
4. Control DJ Burns
North Carolina State forward DJ Burns is one of the breakout stars of the NCAA Tournament. The large forward for the Wolfpack averaged 13 points per game during the regular season but has increased his production to an average of 18.25 points per game during NC State’s run to the Final Four. Burns is critical to the Wolfpack’s offense as he often operates as a point forward, initiating offense from the top of the key and utilizing his excellent passing skills to unlock a defense. Going against the defense of Zach Edey and the Purdue Boilermakers will be a different challenge. Purdue needs to keep Burns from blowing up like he did against Duke. Burns’s outstanding second half against the Blue Devils punched NC State’s ticket to Phoenix, and holding him to his average should be enough to get Purdue through to the title game.

Purdue's Odds to Win National Title: +190
5. Get NC State In Foul Trouble
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have talent, but they were not a good team for most of the season. If not for a few fortunate events, they could have missed the NCAA Tournament altogether. What has allowed NC State to go on this magical run? One of the most significant differences has been that head coach Kevin Keatts drastically reduced his playing rotation. North Carolina State inserted Mohamed Diarra into the starting lineup, increasing his usage during the tournament. The average minutes for point guard Michael O’Connell have gone from 25.4 minutes per game to 38.75 in the tournament. Jayden Taylor has been bumped from the starting lineup and has seen his minutes dip by nine per game. The Wolfpack only feel comfortable with seven of their players, and dipping further into the rotation is not something Keatts wants to do. Purdue, mainly Zach Edey, gets every opponent into foul trouble. That seems like a significant problem for the Wolfpack.
1. Operate Through Zach Edey
The importance of playing through Zach Edey is not something Purdue needs reminding of. The defending National Player of the Year (and about to become the two-time National Player of the Year) and 7’4” center is the focal point of Purdue’s attack, and they need to get him the ball consistently. Purdue’s other four players can stagnate at times, standing around and watching Edey operate down low. The offense is at its best when players like Braden Smith, Lance Jones, and Fletcher Loyer move to give Edey pass options when double-teamed.

Purdue (-9.5) vs. NC State