Purdue @ Ohio preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 20, 2018 ) Ohio 67, Purdue 95

Purdue had a week off to reflect on how much it had improved its NCAA Tournament resume over the previous four games, but the stifling defense that was present for much of that run was nowhere to be found in its last contest. The Boilermakers attempt to rebound from a stunning loss and secure their first true road win in three tries this season on Tuesday when they visit Ohio.

A weekend trip to Nebraska didn't appear to be much of an obstacle for Purdue, which entered the game after averaging 50.8 points during a 3-1 stretch that included a win over previously ranked VCU, a 29-point rout of No. 7 Virginia and three-point overtime loss to Florida State. None of that mattered in Sunday's 70-56 loss to the Cornhuskers, however, as the Boilermakers matched their season high in points allowed and shot a season-low 30.4 percent. “If we could have come back and won this game, it would have been a shame. I thought Nebraska played harder than us, and (they) were more ready to play," coach Matt Painter said. The Bobcats are riding a four-game winning streak following Sunday's 81-54 victory against Tennessee Tech but have dropped all three of their contests against major-conference opponents by an average of 20.3 points.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT PURDUE (6-4): One of the few bright spots of Sunday's loss was the play of sophomore forward Trevion Williams (8.4 points, 6.4 boards), who set career highs in points (18) and rebounds (16) - the most by a Boilermaker in a game since Caleb Swanigan had 17 in 2017 - while playing only 24 minutes. Williams took on an increased role in part due to the loss of 7-3 junior Matt Haarms (10.8 points, 6.2 boards, 2.5 blocks), who left the game in the second half with a concussion. Leading scorer Jahaad Proctor (13.3 points) had easily his worst game as a Boilermaker in the loss, finishing with five points on 2-of-11 shooting to end his 25-game streak of reaching double figures.

ABOUT OHIO (7-3): Despite playing with seven scholarship players for most of the game, the Bobcats easily handled the Golden Eagles after getting a combined 41 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists from sophomores Jason Preston (16.9 rebounds, 5.8 boards, 8.6 assists) and Ben Vander Plas (13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds). "We had eight scholarship players dressed and when Nolan (Foster) went down we had seven scholarship players and two walk-ons. … I think guys stepped up and we're going to learn from it and … continue to get better," coach Jeff Boals said. One of the reasons Ohio was shorthanded was the absence of Jordan Dartis (12.9 points), who suffered a knee injury on Dec. 4 after averaging 29 points over the previous two contests.

TIP-INS

1. Williams is one of five Division I players to grab 10 offensive rebounds in a game this season and the first since 2010-11 to do so in less than 25 minutes.

2. The Bobcats lead the Mid-American Conference in field-goal percentage (47.6; 46th in Division I) and rank second in 3-point percentage (37.3, 51st).

3. The Boilermakers gave up 11 3-pointers against Nebraska, two fewer than they allowed over the previous four games combined.

PREDICTION: Purdue 67, Ohio 55