Zags/Purdue

Been eyeballing this one and it has  come to fruition. Why? I like teams who lost in a major early season tournament, in this case Maui, in the rematch in the NCAA tournament, doesn't happen that often but here we are.

Purdue won that game 73-63, came from behind to win. The Zags were horrible shooting, 6-32 from 3 and that was nearly half their total shots, a strategic mistake that Mark Few took responsibility for. What I did like was their board work, the Zags are a good rebounding team, they had 11 offensive boards vs Purdue and even had 12 offensive boards against mighty UCONN early in the season. That's another thing I like, who they played. You learn from losing and they lost to two of the best.

Both these teams can shoot but the Zags are more athletic and less dependent on one player, yea Mr. Edey. I like Zach but I got to be honest, he's raw, not that athletic, not that skilled. For a 7' 4" guy, he misses his share of point blank shots. Now he's an excellent FT shooter but if you force him to adjust his shot or push him out just a little, he struggles.

The Zags are a regular in the sweet 16 but instead of being the "hunted", they're the "hunter." Look no further than yesterday, hang around, keep it close, the pressure intensifies on the higher seed and the lower seed can capitalize as Clemson and Alabama did.

I think the Zags come out playing loose, they're gellin' at the right time and in the battle of the "Marks" I give the edge to Few. This one goes down to the wire and we know what can happen when that happens.

ZAGS +5.5, -110

As always good luck to all!

 It all make sense 

@mrusso

 On this as well.....bol tonight 

MR.......

@mrusso

@mrusso

 Great write up as usual 

Purdue didn’t shoot the 3 particularly well in their first match up (24%).  If they shoot closer to their average (40%) this one won’t be close.

@Bonacuse44

 But only 17 attempts. Zags chunked 32 of them and made only 6. They'll cut that down considerably, they're also a very good shooting team, they can knock down mid range shots as well as the 3. And again, they hit the offensive boards. Pressure is on Purdue, Zags will be playing footloose and fancy free.

Like your thinking Mrusso

Was on Zags against KU and they just dominated. Will be on them tonight. 

Mark Painter 

@mrusso

BoL with your bets today!

Good read and good luck. 

Seeing the line down to -4.5 at a couple places including HRB.

This Purdue team is on a mission since last years early exit…The Zags may be gelling but they haven’t beaten anybody…Zags were a gimmie against Kansas with their star player out and short bench that win means nothing..Purdue gives it to em tonight win by 10 plus!!!! P.S. it’s Matt Painter not Mark and Purdue has way more than just Edey.

@mrusso

 BOL much respect 

with ya 

@Lightfoot10

 Had a good friend who passed away a couple years ago, Mark Painter, I know it's Matt but I may make that mistake again. Never said Purdue was a one man team just that they were more reliant on him than the Zags are on any one player, you might want to reread what I wrote.

@mrusso

 I got you…either way I’ll be back in here after Purdue mops em…your logic on this one is way off Zags haven’t beaten anybody..I would say Edey is pretty skilled for the most part also