Strict Guidelines for Purdue: Follow These and You Will Win

Thursday evening, the No. 5-seeded Purdue Boilermakers will tip off against the top ranked Connecticut Huskies in the Sweet 16. Purdue, winners of the Big Ten Tournament, are looking to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2000. However, they must follow these strict guidelines if they want to upset this very quick and talented Huskies team, who still seems to have a sour taste in their mouths after a six-overtime loss to Syracuse in the Big East Tournament two weeks ago.

Purdue will not be able to frequent the paint against UConn like they did versus Washington. Center JaJaun Johnson, who scored 22 points against Washington, will have to find a way to score around Connecticut's 7'3" center Hasheem Thabeet. They should take quality shots and work the ball around until they can find an open shot or play.

Purdue should also play stifling defense like they did in the first half against Washington. They should not give A.J. Price, who has scored over 20 points in the last three games, a chance to shoot uncontested shots. The Boilers should try their best to shut Connecticut down inside as well. It is imperative that they put a body on Thabeet and Jeff Adrien.

The bench will be the X-factor for this game. Purdue's starters will need much rest as they try to contain this high-powered UConn offense. Keaton Grant, who had 10 points and 12 rebounds against Washington, will have to step up again for the Boilermakers.

Free throws win games. Purdue was 19-23 from the charity stripe against Washington. They should look to continue that hot shooting from the line.

Finally, Purdue has to play strong in the last 10 minutes. Northern Iowa gave them a run for their money in the second half, and if Washington would have forced Purdue into overtime, I believe Purdue would have lost.

To sum it all up: Find quality shots on offense, give UConn no uncontested shots, crash the boards, and make your free throws. If Purdue does these things, they will have a significant chance of winning the game and advancing to the Elite Eight.