Rapid Reaction: Purdue basketball continues dominant start with blowout of Florida State
Purdue is off to a 7-0 start to the 2021-22 college basketball season, and Florida State was the latest victim of a Boilermaker blowout. This time, the game came in the B1G/ACC Challenge while Matt Painter’s squad flexed its depth and talent.
At halftime, the Boilermakers were already up 16 points after scoring 48 points before the break. It was more of the same after halftime with Purdue cruising to a 93-65 win before the start of B1G play.
All things considered, Florida State did not play terribly. The Seminoles shot 41.9% from the floor, 8-for-24 from 3-point range, and had 13 turnovers. The big difference in the game was a +11 differential in the rebound category for the Boilermakers and Purdue’s 23 assists on 35 made field goals.
Key Players: It was another balanced effort with 5 Boilermakers scoring in double figures, but star guard Jaden Ivey must be mentioned. Ivey went 7-for-11 from the floor with 4 made 3-pointers. He finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks for all-around performance.
Isaiah Thompson scored 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the floor. Off the bench, Brandon Newman scored 13 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Key Stat: 90 points. Purdue is 7-0 and has reached 90 points in all but one game. The one game Purdue did not reach that mark was in an 80-74 win vs. then-No. 5 Villanova. It has not been a complete cupcake schedule with 90-point performances against Florida State and UNC out of the ACC.
Purdue watched Duke get the No. 1 spot on the AP Poll to start the week, but the Boilermakers definitely look like the top team in the B1G and a serious title contender. The Boilermakers are talented, deep, and versatile across the board. Barring drastic injury, anything less than an Elite 8 appearance for this squad would be a serious disappointment.