Despite Zach Edey's Dominance vs. Hoosiers, Indiana Finds Ways to Beat Purdue

Purdue's Zach Edey is averaging 20.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks against Indiana in the last four meetings. Yet the Hoosiers are 3-1 against the Boilermakers in that stretch. How is IU winning games without shutting down the big man?

Usually, the key to beating Purdue is neutralizing National Player of the Year Zach Edey. Over the last two seasons, though, Indiana has actually found success despite the 7-foot-4 center's dominant performances against the Hoosiers.

Over the last two seasons — four matchups between Purdue and Indiana — Edey is averaging 20.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and two assists per game. With those numbers, you might think Matt Painter is a perfect 4-0 against Mike Woodson.

Instead, the Hoosiers have managed a 3-1 record against their in-state rival. They won both the 2022 and 2023 games at Assembly Hall and split the two contests at Mackey Arena.

Last year's 2-0 record against Purdue was particularly impressive for Indiana, with Edey averaging 29.5 points, 17 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. So, how have the Hoosiers won those three games?

First, let's look at the numbers Edey has put up in each of the last four meetings against Indiana. 

Zach Edey's Numbers vs. Indiana

2022-23 season

• Feb. 4, 2023 (Bloomington): Indiana defeats Purdue 79-74
• Zach Edey: 33 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks
• Feb. 25, 2023 (West Lafayette): Indiana defeats Purdue 79-71
• Zach Edey: 26 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
• Edey's 2022-23 Averages vs. IU: 29.5 points, 17 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 blocks

Those numbers are almost unbelievable, making it even harder to understand how Indiana won both games against Purdue last season. Basically, Woodson told his team, "Let Edey get his, and shut down everyone else."

2021-22 season

• Jan. 20, 2022 (Bloomington): Indiana defeats Purdue 68-65
• Zach Edey: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
• March 5, 2022 (West Lafayette): Purdue defeats Indiana 69-67
• Zach Edey: 10 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks
• Edey's 2021-22 Averages vs. IU: 11 points, 10 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.5 blocks

Edey's second-year numbers are more modest, but the 7-footer still averaged a double-double. Indiana was a missed 3-point shot at the end of the second half from winning the game in West Lafayette.

Multiple Hoosiers Step Up

Indiana has had a different "hero" step up in each of its last three victories against Purdue. Players like Rob Phinisee, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino all made their marks on this rivalry game in the past two seasons.

Phinisee Off the Bench

Phinisee gave the Hoosiers a spark in the Jan. 20, 2022, matchup in Bloomington. The veteran guard came off the bench and scored 20 points, and he recorded four steals in 26 minutes. 

None of those buckets mattered more than his last one, hitting a 3-point shot with 18 seconds left to give the Hoosiers a 66-65 lead. Indiana got two defensive stops and held on to win the game. 

Jackson-Davis Battles Edey

The Feb. 4, 2023, matchup between Purdue and Indiana could be labeled as the "Battle of the Bigs." Both Jackson-Davis and Edey put on a show for the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall crowd, but it was the defensive effort from the Hoosiers' big man that engineered a win.

Jackson-Davis played 39 minutes, scoring 25 points and collecting seven rebounds in the 79-74 victory over Purdue. But it was his five blocks on the defensive end that made a big difference in the outcome. 

Hood-Schifino Catches Fire

Purdue's decision to play "drop coverage" defensively on Hood-Schifino cost the Boilermakers dearly. The freshman guard torched the Boilers at Mackey Arena, going off for 35 points while knocking down 14-of-24 shots from the floor.

That victory marked the first time ever that Woodson — as a player or as a coach — beat Purdue 79-71 in West Lafayette. 

Turnovers are Key

Still not sure how Indiana overcame Edey's dominance in the past two seasons? There is one consistent theme: Turnovers.

In the last four games, Purdue is averaging 12.3 turnovers per contest — or 49 total. Indiana is averaging just seven turnovers in those four games, a total of 28. 

On average, Indiana is getting five extra possessions per game — taking the ball out of Edey's hands. All three of the Hoosiers' wins over the Boilermakers in the last two seasons weredecided by eight points or less.

As well as Edey has played the last two seasons, Indiana figured out ways to get the best of Purdue. Will it happen again on Tuesday in Assembly Hall?

Related Indiana-Purdue Stories

• HOW TO WATCH: Everything you need to know about Tuesday night's rivalry game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers. CLICK HERE
• MEET THE OPPONENT: Zach Edey is putting together another National Player of the Year campaign, while guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have made the sophomore year jump Purdue needed to be in the mix for a national title. Here's a full breakdown of Indiana's Tuesday opponent, the Purdue Boilermakers. CLICK HERE
• TOM BREW COLUMN: Indiana has won two straight against Purdue at Assembly Hall, and they get another chance on Tuesday night. The Hoosiers keep winning at home — they're 3-0 in Big Ten games — but will it be enough against a Purdue team that's really solid up and down the lineup? CLICK HERE