The Xavier men’s basketball team will take on the Purdue
Boilermakers on Saturday, continuing the toughest stretch of its non-conference schedule. Coming off of a thrilling
overtime victory over No. 19 ranked Vanderbilt, the Musketeers should be ready to take on the Boilermakers.
The biggest challenge for the Musketeers will be senior forward Robbie Hummel. At 6-foot-8, the senior is
Purdue’s leading scorer, averaging 19.3 points per game this season. Hummel also leads Purdue in rebounding, posting 4.9 boards per game. Hummel should pose an interesting battle for Xavier’s frontcourt. Xavier will rely on senior center Kenny Frease, as well as transfers Andre Walker and Travis Taylor, to defend Hummel. Hummel has a free throw shooting percentage of 78.3, missing only six free throws so far this season. Xavier’s free throw shooting
is not as consistent. Taylor’s free throw shooting appears to be improving, but Frease missed all four shots from the line against Vanderbilt. Senior guard Lewis Jackson leads Purdue in assists with 4.7 and also adds 10 points per game. The backcourt duo of Mark Lyons and Tu Holloway should be able to contain Jackson and force the Boilermakers to play a different kind of game.