Purdue Boilermakers Look to Bounce Back Against Iowa Hawkeyes After Weekend Loss
ICARO Media Group
The Purdue Boilermakers will be seeking redemption on Monday as they host the Iowa Hawkeyes at home, following their first loss of the season against Northwestern on Friday. Purdue's performance in their Big Ten opener was disappointing, but they remain determined to rebound and get back on track.
One noticeable change in Purdue's gameplay this season is their increased tempo. They have been playing at a much faster pace compared to last year, as indicated by their ranking of 75th in the country for total possessions per game. However, it's worth noting that this number is slightly skewed due to their previous loss, which came in overtime. Before that game, Purdue was ranked 118th in total possessions per game and had shown a significant shift in tempo from the previous season when they ranked 341st.
Despite playing more quickly, Purdue's defense has been effective in limiting their opponents' scoring. This season, they have allowed 5.3 fewer points per possession than the previous year, placing them 25th in the country in points allowed per possession. Their defensive prowess will be put to the test against an Iowa offense that ranks 12th in the nation for points scored on a per possession basis.
However, the Hawkeyes' offensive efficiency seems to suffer when playing on the road. While they are an uptempo team, ranking 19th in total possessions, their performance away from home has been significantly weaker. They score 19.6 fewer points per 100 possessions on the road or in neutral venues compared to their home games. Their 3-point shooting also drops from 39.2% at home to 30.4% in away games.
This trend is consistent with last season, where the Hawkeyes had a considerable disparity in their offensive output between home and away games. In the 2022-23 season, they ranked 351st in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage on the road (28.1%) but showcased a much more impressive 38.6% at home. Furthermore, they scored 21.1 more points per 100 possessions in home games compared to their performances on the road.
With both teams showing contrasting performance patterns in terms of tempo and shooting percentages depending on the venue, Monday's game is expected to be a lower-scoring affair than anticipated. Iowa's defense has also shown improvement, allowing 5.9 fewer points per 100 possessions compared to the previous season.
As the Purdue Boilermakers aim for a bounce-back win, they will need to find a way to contain Iowa's strong offense. At the same time, the Hawkeyes will aim to overcome their road struggles and continue their efficient scoring. The stage is set for an intriguing matchup between these two teams, and fans can expect a hard-fought battle on the court.
In conclusion, with both teams facing unique challenges and advantages, the game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Iowa Hawkeyes promises to be a highly competitive encounter. Purdue will be looking for redemption after their weekend loss, while Iowa will seek to overcome their road woes. Only time will tell who will emerge victorious in this intriguing clash of styles and strategies.