The Purdue Boilermakers (25-7) and Michigan Wolverines (22-11) meet in the fourth round of the Big 10 tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Action begins at 1:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 12 and can be seen on CBS.
The Boilermakers come into this game hoping to repeat their last performance, dismantling Illinois 89-58 in the 3. Caleb Swanigan was a key piece, recording his eighth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Wolverines, meanwhile, are coming off a 72-69 win against Indiana in the 3. Zak Irvin was the game’s top scorer, registering 17 points on 5-for-13 shooting.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out, as two of the nation’s top rebounding teams face off. Purdue is among the nation’s best on the offensive glass, ranking 10th in OR% at 36.0%. Meanwhile, Michigan ranks 17th in the nation at corralling defensive boards with a DR% of 73.6%. Also, the upper-echelon offense of the Wolverines ranks 15th in eFG% at 55.5%, while the Boilermakers are fifth-best in the nation at forcing opponents’ misses (44.2%).
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Boilermakers had the upper hand in the most recent game, a blowout 89-58 win. Swanigan finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Notes
Purdue won its last game by a 31-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Michigan is 8-1. Purdue is 11-0 in blowouts this season.
The Purdue Boilermakers rank 18th for their offensive rating of 115.7. The Michigan Wolverines have a defensive rating of 102.6 (ranked 52nd).
The Purdue Boilermakers average 67.7 possessions and 1.157 points per possession in games this season. The Michigan Wolverines average fewer possessions with 65.6, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.140.
The Michigan Wolverines have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking 15th in the country with an eFG% of 55.5%. When their opponents record a similar or higher eFG%, the Purdue Boilermakers are winless with a 0-3 record.
Purdue ranks among the best in the nation in assists at fifth (17.8 assists per game). Michigan is ranked 71st with 15.0 assists per game.
Purdue, the 44th-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.7 per game. Michigan does worse, ranked 319th with 2.2.
Purdue ranks 86th in offensive rebounding. Michigan ranks 257th in defensive rebounding.
Michigan makes an average of 5.5 steals per game. Purdue has a winning 18-7 record when it allows at least 5 steals.
