Reviewing the stats and having watched Purdue play quite a few times this year - playing on the road - I think Illini will really need to be in attack mode - to accomplish a few things:
1) Get Hammons in foul trouble - the less time he is on the floor the better
2) Get to the FT line
Illini have a huge advantage in FT % - which was key in beating them earlier in this season. To that end use Morgan/Colbert fouls to limit their twin 7 footers. Both don't shoot FTs at a good clip so much rather make them go to the line then given them clean looks down low.
On defense - Purdue has not the shot the 3 particularly well in conference play - so the focus should be on doubling down low until they make you pay. Obviously a guy like Stephens needs to have a guy on him at all times.
The other advantage for Illinois is that Purdue can be turnover happy. -2 or -3 margin in B1G games.
1) Get Hammons in foul trouble - the less time he is on the floor the better
2) Get to the FT line
Illini have a huge advantage in FT % - which was key in beating them earlier in this season. To that end use Morgan/Colbert fouls to limit their twin 7 footers. Both don't shoot FTs at a good clip so much rather make them go to the line then given them clean looks down low.
On defense - Purdue has not the shot the 3 particularly well in conference play - so the focus should be on doubling down low until they make you pay. Obviously a guy like Stephens needs to have a guy on him at all times.
The other advantage for Illinois is that Purdue can be turnover happy. -2 or -3 margin in B1G games.
