BBALLBREAKDOWN v.2 | Page 43

228th in the nation according to KenPom) but bringing 2-pointers to a 3-point shootout isn’t going to win them games against top teams on a consistent basis. Last year, the offense was held afloat by their big men crashing the offensive glass and converting on second chance opportunities. They cleaned up 36.5 percent of their own misses (22nd in the nation) and were one of the top teams in converting these second and third chances into points. Returning four of five starters from their fifth-place Big Ten finish—and heartbreaking NCAA tournament loss to Cincinnati in overtime--Purdue will hope to improve and challenge for the Big Ten title and further advancement in the NCAA Tournament. Kendall Stephens, who shot 38 percent on 3-pointers last season. He’s mainly a one-dimensional shooter, attempting 190 3-pointers to just 75 2-point attempts, but his spacing will be a vital part of the Boilermaker offense. Stephens can’t do it by himself though, so they will need another shooter to step up in support. This is a team that was terrible from beyond the arc last year, making only 32.7 percent of its attempts, one of the lowest in the nation. “This trio of big men should help Purdue be on of the best defensive teams...” To do so, they will need to find some reliable scoring punch from the perimeter. Their defense and big men will keep them in games, but having someone who can score quickly will be key for them to squeeze out close wins. If this player emerges come conference play, Purdue will be one of the top contenders in the conference, and could make a run to the second weekend and beyond come March. They recognize their weakness and don’t attempt many of these shots (just 32 percent of their field goal attempts were 3-pointers, Photo: Mark L. Baer - USA TODAY Sports BBALLBREAKDOWN | 43