Yale Scouting Report

The Yale Bulldogs travel to Mackey Arena to face off with the Purdue Boilermakers. This isn't the first time Yale has scheduled a road game at a top venue. Last season, they took on Gonzaga in the Kennel and Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, putting up a tough fight in both contests. The Bulldogs made the Big Dance and pulled off the upset versus Auburn before losing to San Diego State.

If anything can be learned from last season, its that this Yale team should not be underestimated. Especially after Purdue losses their starting center, Daniel Jacobsen, for the season. With the loss, the questions surrounding Purdue have grown in volume and with Alabama looming, this is a big game for Purdue.

Offensive Scheme

The Bulldogs play with two traditional bigs that they use on the perimeter in their motion based offense. With the floor balanced around a big in the middle or a horns set. They will run a variety of actions but they prefer pin downs, dribble handoffs, ball screens, or zoom actions.

They range from good to elite at limiting turnovers but don't get after the offensive glass. Look for them to shoot around 20 threes a game at good percentages. They lack dynamic drivers, which is a reason to why they fall short of the elite teams in free throw rate.

Defensive Scheme

Yale plays defense in a very similar manner to Illinois last season. They play a mid-level drop coverage in the pick and roll but are willing to switch their bigs. Overall, they rarely switch and are conservative in driving gaps. Preferring to stay tight to their man over trying to close off drives.

Last season, they were elite at limiting opponents offensive rebounds and kept them off the free throw line. This season they have shown less discipline when teams put pressure on the rim. Overall, I don't expect either team to dominate the free throw line. This leaves possessions and three pointers as key areas for Yale if they are to come out with a win.

Key Players

#4 - John Poulakidas

Poulakidas is a certified SHOOTER! He has shot 19 threes in two games and is a career 39% three point shooter. He is active as a cutter, using a lot of DHOs or "get" actions to get open. Who Purdue uses to guard him will be a tough answer for Painter. I would use Fletcher to start and rotate through Hiede or Cox as the game goes on.

On the defensive end, I would like to see Purdue attack him whenever possible. He is slower footed and has a tendency to ball watch when he is guarding off the ball.

#42 - Nick Townsend

Townsend is going to get a lot of touches in a lot of different areas. He is a capable driver and post player who plays low to the ground. He has good touch and mobility to pair with guards through DHOs or pick and rolls. He has the ability to shoot from three but not the willingness.

#2 - Bez Mbeng

The point guard for Yale has come out strong in his senior season, averaging 16 points a game. He is more active in transition where he can get downhill to force the issue. In the half court, he has a harder time getting a paint and is reluctant to shoot a pullup from three.