The Match-up

When I learned that Purdue would be playing Texas A&M, I was initially disappointed that the Aggies (anyone else think that it was odd that both Texas A&M and Utah State have the same nickname?) of Utah didn't pull it out*. However, after doing some research I discovered that Texas A&M may not be all that bad of a match-up.

*That's what she said

At first you might be slightly dismayed to learn that Texas A&M starts 3 forwards, Bryan Davis (6'9), David Loubeau (6'8) and Khris Middleton (6'7) as Purdue has struggled with lengthy teams since Hummel went down. However, with no true big man amongst them for the second game in a row JaJuan Johnson will be the tallest player on the court when he is in the game. 

Furthermore, their best player on the offensive end is a 6'3 205 lb guard by the name of Donald Sloan. Sloan averages 18 points a game and while not a huge liability outside the arc (36.3%) he does have sport an unfortunate 1-1 turnover to assist ratio.

Mr. Sloan meet Mr. Kramer. 

Kramer will exploit that turnover ratio, not to mention Sloan has likely never met someone his own size that defends the way Kramer does. I like Chris' chances in that match-up.

So, this is how I see the match-ups shaping up.

Kramer guards Sloan

JaJuan Johnson will take Bryan Davis, when he is on the floor.

Dash "The Dash" Harris, a 6'1 guard who sets the table for the Aggie offense will likely draw a combination of Lewis Jackson and Keaton Grant, but most of the time it will be LewJack because of the following question:

Who guards Loubeau and Middleton, not to mention their backups who are equally as big?

Obviously, E'Twaun Moore will cover one because we need him on the floor. I'm assuming Grant will take the other one because he has been starting over Barlow since Hummel's injury. However, they are both going to give up at least 3 inches and 30 lbs depending on how the match-ups come together. 

If only Patrick Bade was any good.

Our only saving grace, like I mentioned at the top, is that these two are not the offensive weapons that Sloan is, averaging just about 16 points a game between the two of them. My guess is that their presence will be felt much more on the defensive end where they will force our "smaller" guards to settle for jumpers while clogging up the driving lanes.

The key to this game will be to spread the floor and let JaJuan and E'Twuan do their thing. Hopefully, Grant can keep up his hot shooting, Jackson can continue to be a disruptive force and we can get some productive minutes out of Barlow. 

My prediction: 68-67 Purdue. I am concerned that if our cold shooting reappears that this game could turn into a Minnesota part deux, but I don't think we're done with our Kramer moments yet.

BoilerUp!