Keeping Indiana Out of Painted Area Point of Emphasis for Purdue in Rivalry Rematch

Indiana scored 40 points in the paint against Purdue in the first meeting at Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers are focused on keeping the Hoosiers out of that area in Sunday's rematch.

Dustin Schutte | Feb 21, 2025

Indiana Hoosiers guard Anthony Leal (3) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue may have escaped with a win over Indiana in their first meeting at Mackey Arena on Jan. 31, but coach Matt Painter would like to see his defense play a lot better in Sunday's contest at Assembly Hall. Specifically, he says keeping the Hoosiers out of the painted area will be a key to success for the Boilermakers.

The Boilers won a back-and-forth contest in West Lafayette last month, defeating the Hoosiers 81-76 to extend their winning streak to three straight games over their in-state rivals. But Indiana won the battle in the paint, scoring 40 points.

Keeping Indiana's guards from driving to the basket and preventing guys like Oumar Ballo and Malik Reneau to establish deep post position is among the top priorities for Painter and his team this weekend.

"It's really important for us to do a good job on the ball and do a good job of what we're doing, whether it's ball-screen defense or post defense and keep the ball out of the paint," Painter said. "When the ball gets driven that way or the ball gets posted deep and they get that kind of position, that's what gives us trouble against them.

"That's their strength — their size and ability to get there, but also their guards' ability to work you downhill, especially Trey Galloway. He really did a good job (in the first game). That being said, Trey Kaufman(-Renn) had foul trouble and they were trying to attack him to get to his fourth or fifth foul."

Defending the paint has been a point of emphasis all season long for Purdue, but it has struggled as of late. In the last two losses to Wisconsin and Michigan State, the Boilermakers surrendered 78 total points in the paint.

Purdue lost to Wisconsin 94-84 and dropped a 75-66 road game to Michigan State.

As Purdue prepares for Sunday's game against Indiana, it's not looking to completely change its defensive style. It's the same approach that helped the Boilers rip off 11 wins in a 12-game span between late December and early February.

Junior guard Fletcher Loyer says it's about getting back to the basics.

"Being more disciplined," Loyer said. "There's a few small, simple mistakes that let teams go on runs and pull away from us and then we get off our principles."

The other trouble for Purdue during this three-game losing stretch has been the inability to create turnovers. The Boilermakers thrived when they were able to generate steals and get the ball into transition. But over the last three games, they've forced just 22 turnovers, with Michigan accounting for 11 of those.

In January's matchup against Indiana, Purdue forced the Hoosiers into 20 turnovers, which resulted in 26 points. Those extra opportunities helped the Boilers pull out a big win at Mackey Arena.

While that will also be a point of emphasis on Sunday, freshman Gicarri Harris also said a big key — at least for him — is being able to stay in front of his man, whoever the Hoosiers throw his way.

"For me, it's doing a better job containing the dribble," Harris said. "They got downhill a lot the last time they were here, so just making sure I contain the dribble. Keep playing with confidence on the offensive side ... just making plays on offense and defense."

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