Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer blames slow start on uneven rims in Bahamas

Purdue Boilermakers senior guard Fletcher Loyer got off to a slow start in Thursday's 80-71 win over Memphis. After going 0-of-5 from the floor to open the game with four missed threes, there was one explanation for the freezing cold shooting. 

“It was the rim,” Loyer said via IndyStar. There was nothing officially noted about the height of the hoop, but the rim Purdue shot on in the first half was “a little bit higher,” according to Loyer. Call him a conspiracy theorist or just being on island time and arriving a bit late, but he figured out how to end his slump in the second half.

Loyer ended with 20 points, including 18 in the second half, making 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Needless to say, he found his stroke and let Memphis suffer on the poorly-constructed basket. Memphis made only seven of its last 20 attempts overall in the second half. They looked worn down and dropped to their worst mark in 25 years. 

The Boilermakers remain a national title contender, and Loyer’s perimeter shooting is expected to be key to that effort. With the schedule heating up, Loyer’s early struggles may serve as motivation rather than a trend. He was held to seven points against No. 8 Alabama, but Purdue still picked up the win and are undefeated. 

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