Ohio Brings Balanced Scoring and Fast Pace to Purdue

Ohio comes to Mackey Arena after defeating South Alabama and North Carolina A&T. Its visit on November 13 is expected to be a tougher test for the Bobcats, who face a Purdue team coming off a 76-59 victory over Illinois State. Daniel Jacobsen scored 20 points in that game for the Boilermakers.

Six Ohio players are averaging at least 10 points through the first two games. Jackson Paveletzke leads the group at 15 points per game, while Javan Simmons averages 14 and Kolton Mitchell 13.5. Siebe Ledegen averages 11.5, and Che Brogan and Dusan Makitan each average 10. Ohio is shooting 50% from the field and 43.1% from three-point range.

Makitan, a 6-foot-8 forward, is averaging 12 rebounds per game, ranking seventh nationally. The Bobcats also play at a quicker pace than Purdue: Ohio is 84th in adjusted tempo, while Purdue is 359th. Ohio has averaged 14 turnovers per game and lost the turnover battle in both of its opening games.

Coach Jeff Boals has led Ohio since the 2019-20 season. The Bobcats posted winning records during each of Boals’s first five years, and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2021. Ohio is 2-0 this season; Purdue’s win over Illinois State was its first of the campaign.