:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57681997/usa_today_8951023.0.jpg)
We get early afternoon basketball for Purdue as the Boilers play in the first game of the Battle 4 Atlantis against Tennessee. Here is what I said about the Vols in yesterday’s preview for the entire tournament:
Purdue is 2-1 all-time against the Volunteers, last beating them 73-72 in the Paradise Jam championship back in 2009 when Purdue was ranked 6th and the Vols were ranked 9th. So far this season they are 2-0 after blowing out Presbyterian and High Point. Against High Point they even had a 32-0 run out of a 7-7 tie that put the game away early. Admiral Schofield, a 6’5” junior, leads the team with 18 points per game. Grant Williams, a 6’7” forward, is averaging 11 points and 9.5 rebounds while James Daniel III is at 6 assists per game.
This is a balanced team right now. Four players are scoring in double figures, but it was against overmatched competition. Jordan Bowden is shooting 5 of 7 from threes to lead them from deep. Defensively they are giving up 53 points per game, but they have not faced anything remotely close to Purdue’s defense.
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
Game Location: Imperial Arena (3,500), a converted ballroom at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.
Date: November 22, 2017
Time: Noon ET
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Boilermaker Sports Network
Odds: Purdue by 8
RPI: 155
KenPom: 38
2016-17 Record: 15-16, 8-10 SEC
2017-18 Record: 2-0, 0-0
Record vs. Purdue: 1-2
Last Purdue win: 11/23/2009 in Paradise Jam (U.S. Virgin Islands) 73-72
Last Tennessee win: 78-69 at Tennessee on 12/6/1980
Blog Representation: Rocky Top Talk
NCAA Tournament History: 20 appearances, last in 2014, reached 2010 Elite eight
Coach: Rick Barnes (33-35 in 3rd year at Tennessee, 637-349 in 31st season overall, 1-1 vs. Purdue)
Loading comments...