As you folks know, I am a numbers guy and not an x's and o's guy, but I feel like I have learned a lot in my 40+ years of watching college basketball to have an informed opinion on this.
Obviously, the main issue in dealing with Purdue is dealing with the enormous Zack Edey. If Edey is neutralized, I honestly think Purdue is a good team, but not an elite one. So here is what I would do.
MSU does not have a great center, but they do have a LOT of centers. If I am Tom Izzo, I tell who ever is playing center to SPRINT down the floor EVERY SINGLE TIME and try to get a lob dunk. Full speed, every time. When Sissoko gets winded, you put in Cooper. When Cooper gets winded, you put in Kholer or Booker. Substitute at the five like every two minutes like a hockey line. You try to wear Edey's ass down.
Now, maybe teams have tried this already and it doesn't work. I don't know, but I think that it is worth a try.
Obviously, the main issue in dealing with Purdue is dealing with the enormous Zack Edey. If Edey is neutralized, I honestly think Purdue is a good team, but not an elite one. So here is what I would do.
MSU does not have a great center, but they do have a LOT of centers. If I am Tom Izzo, I tell who ever is playing center to SPRINT down the floor EVERY SINGLE TIME and try to get a lob dunk. Full speed, every time. When Sissoko gets winded, you put in Cooper. When Cooper gets winded, you put in Kholer or Booker. Substitute at the five like every two minutes like a hockey line. You try to wear Edey's ass down.
Now, maybe teams have tried this already and it doesn't work. I don't know, but I think that it is worth a try.
