LINCOLN, Nebraska – Purdue survived a harrowing road test Tuesday night, escaping Pinnacle Bank Arena with an 80-77 overtime victory over seventh-ranked Nebraska. The win, secured on , was far from straightforward, as the Boilermakers nearly squandered a commanding 22-point lead before ultimately prevailing. The game highlighted both Purdue’s resilience and a concerning trend: a willingness to take early, often ill-advised, shots with significant time remaining on the shot clock.
The Boilermakers jumped out to a quick start, fueled by sharp shooting from Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith. Purdue’s lead swelled to 22 points in the second half, appearing to put the game out of reach. However, Nebraska responded with a furious rally, sparked by a barrage of three-pointers, trimming the deficit and injecting life into a previously dormant crowd of 15,185. Purdue’s inability to close out the game in regulation, compounded by missed free throws – particularly from its typically reliable shooters – sent the contest to overtime.
While the overtime period itself was a tense back-and-forth affair, a deeper look at the game reveals a pattern that nearly cost Purdue the victory. Throughout the second half, and to a lesser extent in overtime, the Boilermakers frequently launched shots with a substantial amount of time remaining on the shot clock. According to analysis of the game, Purdue missed 16 shots in the second half and overtime with more than 13 seconds left on the clock. A staggering 13 of those attempts were three-pointers, and 12 occurred while Purdue held a lead.
This strategy, while occasionally yielding positive results – CJ Cox’s crucial three-pointers late in the second half being prime examples – ultimately proved detrimental. By firing away early in the shot clock, Purdue effectively ceded possessions to Nebraska, allowing the Cornhuskers to chip away at the lead and gain momentum. Purdue’s offense, at times, seemed to work *against* its own best interests, gifting Nebraska opportunities when controlling the clock and forcing the opposition to expend energy on defense would have been more advantageous.
Purdue coach Matt Painter acknowledged the team’s effort, stating, “I thought our effort was great. I thought we did a pretty good job executing.” However, the game film suggests a need for greater shot selection and a more disciplined offensive approach, particularly when protecting a lead. The Boilermakers’ nearly catastrophic collapse underscores the importance of valuing possessions and exploiting favorable matchups, rather than simply taking the first available open look.
The game’s decisive moment came with 5.2 seconds remaining in overtime. Fletcher Loyer, facing defensive pressure, executed a remarkable wraparound pass to Oscar Cluff, who spun left and banked in a left-handed hook shot while drawing a foul. Cluff then converted the ensuing free throw, giving Purdue a lead they would not relinquish. Gicarri Harris sealed the victory with two free throws with 1.5 seconds left, intercepting a desperation inbounds pass at the buzzer.
Braden Smith’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he dished out 10 assists, showcasing his playmaking ability and court vision. However, even Smith’s stellar performance couldn’t entirely mask the Boilermakers’ tendency to rush shots. The win marked Purdue’s first ranked victory since a dominant performance over Auburn on , and a crucial boost as they navigate a challenging stretch of Big Ten competition.
The victory over Nebraska keeps Purdue in contention for a Big Ten title, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between success and failure in college basketball. While the Boilermakers demonstrated championship-level poise in overcoming adversity, they must address their shot selection and offensive discipline to avoid similar near-collapses in the future. The ability to control the tempo, value possessions, and execute with precision will be paramount as Purdue aims to solidify its position as a top contender in the conference and beyond.
The physical toll of the game was also evident, with Trey Kaufman-Renn suffering a cut under his left eye and CJ Cox sustaining a laceration on his right cheek, embodying the hard-fought nature of the contest. These battle scars serve as a testament to the Boilermakers’ grit and determination, but also highlight the intensity of Big Ten basketball and the challenges that lie ahead.
Purdue’s near-collapse and eventual overtime victory against Nebraska raise questions about their offensive strategy and shot selection. While the Boilermakers possess undeniable talent and resilience, they must learn to manage the game more effectively and avoid gifting opponents opportunities through rushed shots. The lessons learned from this hard-fought road win will undoubtedly be valuable as Purdue continues its pursuit of a Big Ten championship.
