Edwards’ Hot Shooting Leads Purdue to Opening Win Against Fairfield
By KEITH CARRELL
@BoilerColts
ISL Purdue Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Carsen Edwards made a statement by scoring 30 points in 28 minutes, leading Purdue to victory over Fairfield Tuesday night at Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers stalled early before getting locked in and cruising to a 90-57 win in the season opener. Purdue also appears to have shed some light on who will be regular rotation players through the early part of the season… and who will not.
Fairfield pushed out to an early lead, scoring the game’s first six points, before Matt Haarms sank a free throw to get Purdue on the board two minutes into the game. The Stags were able to maintain a small margin over the Boilermakers until, former walk-on, Grady Eifert (who may need to get a reprint of his nameplate to “Effort”) sank a three for Purdue’s first field goal of the season. Eifert followed that up with another three point attempt that was off target, but he was able to snare his own miss, shoot a layup and get fouled in the process to add another three points for the Boilermakers who trailed eight-to-six. Eifert nearly worked himself into a double-double with nine points and ten rebounds (both career highs) in 28 minutes of action.
Voice of Purdue, Larry “Cliz” Clisby was treated to a standing ovation during the first media timeout for his length of service to the program and for his fight with cancer that many Purdue fans have helped him heal to allow him to be back on the air for the 2018-2019 campaign. Whether it was Eifert unlocking the lid on the basket, Clisby’s inspirational story, or something else, the Boilers began to click out of the break.
Eric Hunter, Jr. kicked things off by sinking a three from the top of the key to give Purdue its first lead of the game. In successive attempts Ryan Cline used a crossover dribble to free himself for a three from the right elbow, and Edwards hit a pair of threes – the first from the top of the key off an assist from Evan Boudreaux and the second a long, heat check, three from near the mid-court logo. Edwards and Cline would add another two and three, respectively, before the Stags would score again, a 20-to-two run in about six minutes to give Purdue a 24-to-ten advantage that wouldn’t be seriously challenged for the rest of the contest.
Fairfield freshman, Neftali Alvarez had a strong showing in his collegiate debut. Alvarez not only put up strong stats (16 points, three rebounds, and two steals in 29 minutes), but he did so with athletic flair. The point guard on multiple occasions was able to slash to the basket, past Purdue defenders, for open layups. Alvarez was joined by Jonathan Kasibabu (14) and Landon Taliaferro (eleven) in double-figure scoring.
In what may not completely show up in the box score, Cline had as good of a start to the season as you could ask of the senior. Cline chipped in 13 points, eight assists, and two boards for the Boilers, but he presented himself as an all-around player, which is a welcome sight for a team that lost so much experience and skill in the offseason. Cline was one of the best on-ball defenders for Purdue against Fairfield and often forced a tough pass or a challenging shot on defense. On the offensive end of the floor, instead of just settling in as a catch-and-shoot wing scorer, Cline was much more active off the dribble, both to secure closer shots for himself, but also to find his teammates as a distributor. Purdue’s biggest question gap to fill was on-the-ball defense and Cline might just be the answer this season.
It’s a small sample with only one official game in the books, but it appears that Hunter and Boudreaux are the most likely candidates to see extended run during the non-conference slate. Hunter had the highest acumen for defense, although he still got burnt on occasion, while Boudreaux is an all-out blue collar player that Purdue fans will quickly come to appreciate. It was no more evident for Hunter than when we netted his tenth point via a layup after corralling a weak side rebound – that offensive hustle combined with a willingness to play defense has traditionally fared well in Painter’s system. Rounding out the rotation will likely be Sasha Stefanovic who is a solid player that can adapt to various situations as a scorer and defender. On the flip side, rotations against Fairfield might show that Aaron Wheeler and Trevion Williams have a bit more growth before they’re an integral part of the lineup. They’ll see action early, but playing time may not expand until later in the season once they have their feet under themselves.
🎥 Highlights from tonight’s 90-57 win over Fairfield.#BoilerUp 🚂 pic.twitter.com/aDmfif3m4w
— Purdue Men’s Basketball (@BoilerBall) November 7, 2018
Edwards had two career games scoring 30 or more points heading into the season (his high a 40 point outing at Illinois last February), but netted 30 in the season opener and did so in style. With four minutes left in the game, Edwards rose from the Keady Court logo and buried a three, his seventh trey for the game. If this game showed anything, it’s that the question is not whether Edwards will score 40 at some point during this season, but rather how many times he will accomplish that feat.
“I think it’s best to play to your strengths; if that means one guy scores more, so be it.” – Painter on where scoring will come from this season aside from Edwards.
In recent years the three pointer has been considered the “great equalizer” in basketball, but with NBA teams like Golden State and Houston focusing so heavily on the long ball the game has shifted (and trickled down into the college game) to where the three is now the “great epicenter” of basketball. Traditionalists (I’m one of them) may not like it, but it’s here and not going anywhere, especially when you have players like Edwards and Cline on the roster. Tuesday night, Purdue made 14 threes (a modest amount compared to the then-program record 19 Purdue made against Fairfield last season) and ten of those came from Edwards and Cline.
Next up:
Home: Ball State on Saturday, 11/10 (8 pm, BTN)
Quick Hits:
The seven threes made by Edwards was one shy of the record set by Cuonzo Martin and matched by Robbie Hummel and Ryne Smith… Purdue is now 3-0 when Edwards scores at least 30 points… Haarms was active as a rim protector, blocking three shots (he also had nine points and eight rebounds)… Painter has voiced his concern that Purdue may turn the ball over too frequently and the Boilers coughed it up 13 times against the Stags… Fairfield’s Wassef Methnani fouled out of the game with 12:37 remaining in the game… Edwards scored the first 12 points for Purdue in the second half.
