Even if the Alabama Crimson Tide had Collins Onyejiaka and Keitenn Bristow available to play against Purdue, the Boilermakers would have a size advantage. Purdue's top two big men are 6'11" and 7'4", and both are around 250 lbs. Alabama's two healthy bigs are comparable in size, but one of them, 7-footer Noah Wiliamson, is more finesse than brute.
Should Williamson and Aiden Sherrell get in foul trouble, Taylor Bol Bowen at 6'10" and 202 lbs. would have a real size disadvantage.
As daunting as those physical matchups may be, Purdue presents greater threats to the Crimson Tide. As John Mitchell reminded, Trey Kaufman-Renn was the primary reason Alabama lost to Purdue in West Lafayette last season. Coming off an injury, Thursday night will be his first game this season. Bol Bowen is the matchup for Kaufman-Renn, with two freshmen, Amari Allen and London Jemison, in the mix.
The Boilermakers have other offensive weapons. Guard Braden Smith is one of college basketball's best. Alabama slowed him last year to 17 points, but he added 10 assists and six rebounds.
Shooting guard, 6'5" Fletcher Loyer is a serious offensive threat. Loyer was over 44% making threes last season, and in two games this season is scorching the nets at well over 50%.
Purdue better offensively than the Alabama Crimson Tide?
Stats provided by two games are next to meaningless, but Ken Pomeroy's algorithm ranks Purdue No. 1 in offensive efficiency. Solid defense with minimal fouls will be essential for the Tide. Another hinge point for the game could be that Alabama's pace wears down Purdue's bigs, Daniel Jacobsen and Oscar Cluff. Having not played a game yet, the pace may also stress Kaufman-Renn. Alabama gained a two-rebound advantage last season in the loss. The Tide could struggle to match the Boilermakers on the boards and can't afford a sizable deficit.
This week Nate Oats said the St. John's win would be "kind of pointless" if the Crimson Tide does not play well against Purdue. It is good that Oats used 'play well' rather than 'win' because the game is pretty much a tossup. Multiple computer models predict an Alabama Crimson Tide win, but the projected point margins are almost all within the added points calculated for the Tide's home crowd.