Alabama vs Purdue: Purdue presence in the low block was too much for Alabama. November 15, 2024

Purdue managed to stop the second-ranked team in the nation, Alabama, in an impressive outing this past weekend. Braydon Smith and Kauffman Redd maintained their hot shooting and strong interior play throughout the game. With the departure of Zach Edey to the NBA, Kauffman Redd has stepped up significantly this season in the low block, despite being only 6’9″, making a notable impact against Alabama’s 6’11” forwards, Nelson and Omoruyi. Purdue appears to be even stronger than last year, and a Final Four appearance seems within reach.

Braydon Smith showcased his exceptional shooting skills and lethal instinct on the court, while Fletcher Loyer not only impressed from beyond the arc but also excelled in driving to the basket. Smith is particularly dangerous coming off pick-and-roll situations, often nailing threes. Purdue also effectively runs hand-off plays to Loyer, who can either pull up for a shot or drive in for a layup.

Alabama featured talented guards and solid three-point shooters, but their interior game was absent during this matchup. Freshman Philon played lights-out, clearly standing out with countless buckets. Latrell Wrightsell Jr., likely Alabama’s best three-point threat, was able to connect on some of those attempts. Purdue’s big men outperformed Alabama’s inside players, and Camden Heide, coming off the bench, played a key defensive role by keeping Alabama’s big men out of the paint.

Kauffman Redd held his own defensively against Alabama’s #11, Clifford Omoruyi, while Camden Heide was exceptional on defense, switching seamlessly between guarding smaller players and challenging Alabama’s big men when necessary. Purdue’s offense appeared more fluid compared to last year’s system centered around Zach Edey. CJ Cox made consecutive three-point shots down the stretch, reducing the team’s reliance on Braydon Smith’s abilities.

Despite Alabama’s strong guard play from Philon, Holloway, Reid, and Mark Sears, they seemed to lack a reliable presence at center—a weakness that opponents may continue to exploit throughout the season. Even if Chris YoungBlood were to return, it’s doubtful he would make a significant difference against a team like Purdue if they meet later. Purdue is undoubtedly a team to keep an eye on.

Key strategies to counter Purdue: Opponents need to disrupt the pick-and-roll game involving Braydon Smith and Kauffman Redd. A Houston-style defense, with aggressive doubles on the ball handler at the top of the key, could be effective in limiting Smith’s impact and slowing down Purdue’s offense.