INDIANAPOLIS – Butler has usually been as at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse as in Hinkle Fieldhouse. Not Saturday, though.
No. 17 Purdue built a 26-point and held off the Bulldogs’ late surge, scoring an 82-67 victory in the Crossroads Classic.
The Boilermakers (11-2) were as balanced as any team could be. Carsen Edwards scored 18 points, Vincent Edwards and Isaac Haas had 15 each, Dakota Mathias 14 and P.J. Thompson 12.
Kelan Martin had 17, Paul Jorgensen 15 and Kamar Baldwin 13 for Butler (8-3).
Purdue led 55-29 with 13 ½ minutes left. The Bulldogs came within nine, 69-60, on Jorgensen’s 3-pointer with 3:01 to play. But the Boilers responded by scoring the next eight points, six on free throws.
Butler came into the Crossroads Classic with the best record (5-1) in the event and a five-game winning streak over Purdue. Also, the Bulldogs had been 11-3 in the Pacers’ arena.
The victory was Purdue’s first over Butler since Dec. 19, 1998. Butler coach LaVall Jordan, then a sophomore for the Bulldogs, scored three points in 13 minutes.
Three reasons Butler lost:
Dribble, dribble, dribble
The Bulldogs’ yearlong propensity to dribble rather than pass was woefully ineffective against Purdue. Indeed, the Boilers were as strong defensively as any opponent Butler has faced, including Texas.
Good passing results in accurate shooting, and the Bulldogs had neither. Moreover, in their 21 percent first half, they had six shots blocked and committed nine turnovers.
In that first half, Butler was 6-of-24 on 2-pointers, and the arc was not much more friendly: 1-of-9. Purdue led 35-19 by then, the outcome was nearly decided.
Butler, after that 19-point first half, scored 48 in the second half and shot 53 percent.
Arc madness
Butler has been among the nation’s worst at shooting 3-pointers and defending 3s. That was in evidence against Purdue.
The Boilers repeatedly burned Butler from the arc, finishing 9-of-21.
Meanwhile, Butler started 1-of-14 on 3s. The Bulldogs were 6-of-8 thereafter, but the score was out of reach by then.
Bulldogs overmatched
Butler has a respectable roster and remains a potential NCAA tournament team. Yet it’s impossible to deny the gap in talent between the Boilers, who have authentic Final Four aspirations, and Bulldogs.
The 7-2 Haas scored with ease and was unstoppable near the basket. He has more than a supporting cast, too. The Boilers would have a potent lineup without him.
Moreover, Butler does not have the depth nor balance to overcome errant shooting by Baldwin, who had perhaps his worst game as a college player. Late baskets allowed him to finish 5-of-19 shooting, and he committed five turnovers.
Call IndyStar reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.
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