Indiana Basketball vs. Purdue: 3 matchups to watch

Archie Miller vs. Matt Painter

This one is as simple as it gets. In rivalries like this game, it often comes down to which coach can make the best adjustments come crunch time.

Neither one of these teams is excellent offensively. Both pride themselves on their effort and energy at the defensive end and that could make for an ugly, low-scoring affair that comes down to the wire.

Miller will have to find ways to get the ball into his best player’s hands, which has been a bit of an issue in recent games. Jackson-Davis has not gotten nearly enough touches or shot attempts and there hasn’t seemed to be much of an adjustment made by the Hoosier coaching staff yet to fix that. Jackson-Davis’ presence has to be felt inside if Indiana wants to open up the game for its perimeter players, especially considering Miller is reluctant to play small-ball.

Conversely, look for Painter to continue what the last few teams have done game-planning wise against Indiana which has been to force Indiana into taking perimeter shots and doubling Jackson-Davis when he gets deep in the post. The Hoosier offense has not shown the ability to take advantage of teams for effectively taking Jackson-Davis out of the game.

Miller mentioned recently that “something’s gotta change” going forward offensively. Whether its game-planning or rotation adjustments, it’s on Miller to make that happen.