Everyone in the nation is going to look at the matchup between NC State's jolly vending machine owner and the tallest prospect in Canadian basketball history to never make the MLB from Purdue basketball. When that happens, other moving parts will also have to execute well during this March Madness Final Four clash. Coach Matt Painter has all the personnel to back up Zach Edey. A ballhandler capable of directing traffic in Braden Smith along with phenomenal shooters in Mason Gillis, and Fletcher Loyer. While Ethan Morton's skills are great, Trey Kaufman-Renn might be the key to beating the flaming hot squad out of Raleigh.
Look, NC State is going to give DJ Burns the green light to draw Zach Edey out of the paint and make him play drop coverage. The Purdue basketball star's lateral movement is not the best which makes the strategy fairly intuitive. Now, what should Coach Matt Painter do? Employ the same strategy that Purdue has been using all season long, start the National Player of the Year with Trey Kaufman-Renn. This idea is quite simple and works both in offense and defense. Let's break down why!
Purdue's defensive versatility with TKR
Post-ups and passing off will be the name of the game in Purdue vs. NC State. Their best players are both big men who thrive in backing down an opponent and either passing off of it or using their footwork to get a bucket. So, Purdue has to defend the paint at all times such that he does not make an easy basket. DJ Burns is likely going to hunt matchups in the post which means limiting his mismatches will be optimal. Placing Trey Kaufman-Renn to either go one-on-one against DJ Burns or roam the paint allows Purdue to get easy rebounds, and blocks, and lessen kick-out passes.
This allows Braden Smith, Lance Jones, Fletcher Loyer, Cam Heide, and Mason Gillis to stay with their man on the perimeter. It limits NC State's microwaves, Michael O'Connell and DJ Horne, from heating up. If Zach Edey does get the one-on-one post-up against Burns, he will surely hold his own. This leaves Trey Kaufman-Renn to use his quickness to beat Mohammed Diarra for rebounds. Any scheme Coach Matt Painter chooses to run on defense whether it be man-to-man or zone, TKR will be the proper personnel.
TKR and opening up a lot of offensive sets
It's certain that Purdue will run their offense through Zach Edey. He will start off with a dribble handoff or his two-man game with Braden Smith then roll to the paint. But, NC State is not like other squads. DJ Burns sticks with the roller in the schemes they run. Kyle Filipowski, Oso Ighodaro, and Darrion Williams were all victims of this. The Wolfpack breaks plays through this and disrupts passing lanes. So, what's the situation now? Trey Kaufman-Renn gets to set the pick for the ball-handler while Zach Edey is on the weak side. Purdue already runs a lot of horns actions and this surely fits.
All they have to do is pass the ball off the post and swing it to Edey or get Smith a paint touch for a kickout. If all else fails because the paint is clogged, he can lob it up and surely one of the Purdue big men will throw it down. The Boilermakers have a chance to win it for Coach Gene Keady, Glenn Robinson, Carsen Edwards, and all the other Boilermakers of the past. Hopefully, they make it out of this intense March Madness Final Four matchup.
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