Illinois Coach Brad Underwood Previews Matchup Against Purdue Basketball
Ahead of Purdue basketball's regular-season finale with Illinois at Mackey Arena, Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood spoke to the media to preview the matchup with the Boilermakers.
This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams, and Illinois enters the game coming off a thrilling 91-87 victory over Michigan that went into double overtime.
Here's everything Underwood had to say about Purdue, including preparation for junior center Zach Edey and his thoughts on the team's freshman guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer.
On facing Purdue for the first time this year
Underwood: They've got, in my opinion, the national player of the year. Zach has been very, very dominant. He is larger than life, so to speak, and I mean that in every sense. He's not only dominant, he's gotten better every year he's been there. So that's a tribute to Matt and his crew.
They've got great depth and they've been elite on the offensive glass. It's one of the keys to the game, you can't give them second opportunities. Zach gets six offensive rebounds a game and then he bats another four or five back out.
It will be a big key to the game. Excited for the challenge, it's next up and it's the last game of a 20-game regular season. We'll go to their place and fight.
On how to minimize Zach Edey's impact on the glass
Underwood: Try to block him out. He's 305 pounds, he's 7-4, he's got tremendous length and wingspan. He's mobile. You gotta hit him, gotta make him work and then you have to be like a hungry pack of wolves. You have to pursue the ball and understand going in that you're not going to stop him totally.
He's going to get his. He's seen about every coverage now that he's a junior. He's seen just about every type of element you can throw at him. He's big and he's really good.
On Jayden Epps' injury status
Underwood: He's progressing. He will not play. He won't make the trip, but he's progressing.
On Purdue freshmen Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith struggling at times late this season
Underwood: I think it can be a lot of things. Freshmen go through different moments at different times. They've had an outstanding year. Loyer is just an unbelievable shooter, and I think they've played with great composure.
Those two kids have been thrown out there very early on, and Zach gives them a nice buffer but they're both really good players.
-----
Related Stories on Purdue Basketball
- Purdue Escapes Wisconsin as Outright Big Ten Champs: After losing four of its last six, Purdue went on the road and earned a narrow 63-61 win over Wisconsin on Thursday night at the Kohl Center. The Boilermakers put the game away by sinking nine free throws in the final four minutes of play. CLICK HERE
- Purdue, Wisconsin Photo Gallery: Purdue basketball snapped a three-game road losing streak with a narrow victory over Wisconsin on Thursday night. Here are some of the best photos from the matchup inside the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. CLICK HERE
- Purdue Remains No. 5 in Latest AP Top 25 Poll: After losing to rival Indiana, Purdue remained at No. 5 in Monday's Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll. The Boilermakers are 24-5 and 13-5 in Big Ten play. CLICK HERE
-----
Keep up to date on everything at BoilermakersCountry.com by liking and following our Facebook page: Purdue Boilermakers on Sports Illustrated/FanNation.
D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball.