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Utah State Scouting Report

  • Writer: Sam Bourne
    Sam Bourne
  • Mar 23, 2024
  • 3 min read

Purdue has moved to the second round after a 78-50 win over Grambling State. Utah State out-paced TCU by the score of 88-72 in a game that had an impressive 71 possessions in total. The most impressive aspect for the Aggies in the first round was their continued dominance from two point range, shooting 25/41 (61%).


Utah State Offense -

Player Profiles P/R/A

#1 - Great Osobor* 18/9/3

A dynamic paint scorer, Osobor is built like a tank and uses every bit of his physicality to create his space. He loves to drive right and spin back to his left hand to finish. He is incredibly effective at finding points in broken situations, finding lose balls or running the floor in transition for 4-8 points a game. He is not a good passer, defaulting to passing to the closest pass when he draws two defenders. I expect Trey Kauffman-Renn to start on Osobor and try to deny his touches and Edey coming from the baseline side to soft double.


#10 - Darius Brown II* 12/4/7

The point guard for the Aggies is a really good off the dribble shooter from both the mid range and three. In transition he is very aggressive with passing ahead to teammates or driving to the rim. In the pick and roll, Brown will be aggressive hunting his shot against Purdue's drop coverage. Lance Jones will probably get this assignment, I would love to see Jones be really active using his hands to make Brown uncomfortable.


#4 - Ian Martinez* 13/4/2

The Maryland transfer has found a home in Logan. He scored 21 points against TCU in the first round and is shooting 38% from three on the season. He is most dangerous attacking closeouts, especially after knocking down a few threes. Martinez will probably be guarded by Braden Smith who will need to do his work early to be set on the catch.


#12 - Mason Falslev* 11/4/2

Despite his size, Falslev is a very crafty driver and finisher around the rim (Reminds me of Martinelli from Northwestern). The freshman is shooting 67% on two pointers and 29% from three. Purdue guards being patient and not overcommitting on any moves that give Falslev an opening.


#20 - Isaac Johnson* 7/3/1

The seven footer has a decent driving abililty for his size and will punish Purdue if the frontcourt is not paying attention. Johnson will probably come out aggressive shooting the three to try to draw Edey out of the paint and shoots 33% from three. Edey will get the initial matchup with Johnson, maybe being a step higher than normal on the perimeter.


#14 - Josh Uduje 8/3/1

More of an athletic wing off of the bench, Uduje is going to do his damage attacking the basket or posting up smaller players. He is shooting 23% from three. Cam Hiede or Colvin off the bench would be the best matchup, focusing on keeping him out of the paint.

#22 - Javon Jackson 4/1/1

Mainly stays in the corner, ready to shoot an open three or crash for an offensive rebound.


#34 - Kalifa Sakho 3/2/0

More of a defender and rebounder, Sakho normally defers to the better scorers.


Utah State Sets/Actions

For Utah State, it is all about operating in space. They normally have 4 or 5 players on the perimeter while a main action is taking place, the weakside is good about using decoy action to distract from the main action.


Overload Middle Pick and Roll

Dribble Handoff Cross Screen

Post Cutting - Fills the high post everytime!

Horns Pin Down

BLOB - Dribble Handoff Option


Utah State Defense

  • Pick and Roll - Will alternate between hard hedge and drop coverage versus traditional ball screens, switching between guards.

  • Post - Doubling with both bigs or digging from the guards

  • On Ball - Low hand activity and focus on not being beat baseline

  • Off Ball - Tight to their man, little to no baseline help, light gap defense


How Purdue Can Score

  • Playing out of the post double on Edey

  • Aggressive attacking matchups with Trey Kauffman-Renn and Braden Smith

  • Driving baseline

  • Offensive Rebounding


Keys for Both Teams

Utah State:

  1. Attacking the Purdue guards in the pick and roll

  2. Osobor making his jumpers and forcing his way to the free throw line

  3. Utah State frontcourt staying out of foul trouble + guards being ultra active rebounding

  4. Limit Purdue's threes!

Purdue:

  1. Give non-Edey players opportunities consistently throughout the game

  2. Loyer, Gillis hunting their threes to stretch the Aggies Defense

  3. Lance Jones staying out of foul trouble and forcing Brown into turnovers

  4. Limit bad offensive possession to reduce transition opportunities

 
 
 

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