Purdue at No. 14 Rutgers Game Thread

Purdue (7-3; 2-1) No. 14 Rutgers (6-1; 2-1)

How To Watch, Listen, News & Notes

Where: The RAC in Piscataway, New Jersey

Tip-off: Tuesday, December 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET

TV: FS1 - Lisa Byington & Stephen Bardo

Radio: Live Listen - Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network - WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/Sirius 132/XM 194; Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM - Chris Tsakonas and Dylan Allen

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers is 18th, which is one spot worse since a 12 point loss to Ohio State; Purdue is 32nd, which one spot better since a 3 point win over Maryland.

Efficiency Rankings: Rutgers - Offense 110.0 (32nd) Defense 90.0 (15th); Purdue - Offense 110.0 (33rd) Defense 92.3 (36th)

KenPom Prediction: Rutgers 72 Purdue 68; Rutgers is given a 64% chance to win.

OTB Guide to KenPom

Vegas Line: Rutgers -4

Series History: Purdue leads the all-time series 12-3, but Rutgers won both meetings last season. The Scarlet Knights beat the Boilermakers 70-63 at the RAC on January 28, followed by a 71-68 overtime victory at Mackey Arena on March 7 in the regular season finale.

Purdue SB Nation Site: Hammer & Rails

Key Contributors

Purdue - 6’10” Trevion Williams (13.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 49.2% FG); 6’4” Eric Hunter Jr. (12.6 points, 3.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals); 6’5” Sasha Stefanovic (11.3 points, 3.1 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 50.9% 3-pt FG); 6’5” Brandon Newman (10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 44.2% 3-pt FG); 7’4” Zach Edey (9.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 63.2% FG); 6’4” Jaden Ivey (6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists); 6’6” Mason Gillis (6.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 54.8% FG, 40.9% 3-pt FG); 6’1” Isaiah Thompson (5.1 points, 1.8 assists, 1.7 rebounds); 6’9” Aaron Wheeler (4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists)

Rutgers - 6’6” junior Ron Harper Jr. (23.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 56.4% FG, 50% 3-pt FG); 6’2” senior Jacob Young (15.9 points, 5.6 assists, 2.4 steals, 2.3 rebounds, 48.8% FG, 41.2% 3-pt FG); 6’4” junior Montez Mathis (14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals); 6’10” redshirt junior Myles Johnson (7.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.3 assists, 62.2% FG); 6’4” Geo Baker (7.3 points, 2.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds); 6’6” sophomore Paul Mulcahy (6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists); 6’11” Cliff Omoruyi (5.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 block, 72.2% FG); 6’7” Mawot Mag (3.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 50.0% FG)

Injury Updates

Cliff Omoruyi (knee sprain) is doubtful for this game but there is hope he players will be back in the near future. Mawot Mag (ankle sprain) is closer to returning and is questionable for tomorrow. Rutgers would be left with a core rotation of six players against Purdue if they don’t play. Mamadou Doucoure saw extended action in the loss to Ohio State in their absence and should be expected to play more again versus Purdue. Jacob Young left the loss to the Buckeyes late in the second half after a hard fall but he said in recent days that he was fine and is expected to play. Pikiell clarified on Monday that he has a hip bruise and has been limited in practice. For more detail on all the injuries, read what Jerry Carino reported on late Monday here

Game Preview

Tonight is a big bounce back opportunity for Rutgers at the RAC. Purdue is a physically tough team that is always dangerous from three-point range. They play a deep rotation while Rutgers has many injury concerns entering this game. Now Ron Harper Jr. is out tonight.

The character of this team will be tested and how they respond will be the key to the game. Join us in the comment section during the game.