Talked to my Dad today. He's been watching Purdue since the 50's. He was very concerned about Braden's minutes. Said kids still young. Claimed that's why his shot was off yesterday as he was getting worn down. I said one game, let's not get carried away until it's several.
Course some of it is not the minutes, but how hard you have to work in those minutes. The rest is how hard your coach pushes in practice.
Still, I said not nonsense to Smith getting too much PT.
So I looked @ the minutes of PG of top 20 teams. On high end....
Creighton, 35.9 min
KS 35.5 min
Utah State 34.2 min
UConn 33 min
Marquette 32.5 min
Purdue 32.3
Average of ranked teams about 30.5 But the low 6 in top 20 were around 26-28 mins.
Anyway your thoughts.....
I think it is an individual thing. Each player is different and averages looking at minutes only "might" be inaccurate. We know physically, that males continue to get stronger until 29 or it used to be that way and so each individual, and each is different, probably gets stronger physically (stamina as well) as his age increases in college. This doesn't mean that player A is stronger than player B since he is older. It does mean that whatever inherent physical attributes player A has, it will most likely increase the next year. The style of play as well as the oppositions style are also variables. Types of food, quality of sleep (mental and physical) are also in play. Certainly teams more geared to dribble drive will have 4...maybe five sharing in the minutes that Braden for example has the ball and physically active. Measuring fatigue by minutes played may be the only metric available, but accuracy of that measure and not knowing the effect of various variables that definitely would be included in a hypothesis of study exist.
Your father may be exactly right? However, I do not know that for certain. Certainly a shot typically gets worse with fatigue as does many times decisions. Defense may show it as well as does tugging on the shorts.
"Fatigue makes cowards of us all" has been attributed to Patton AND Vince Lombardi (who I first read it). A snippet from
https://www.socratic-method.com/quote-meanings/vince-lombardi-fatigue-makes-cowards-of-us-all
"Fatigue makes cowards of us all. These five simple words uttered by Vince Lombardi, one of the greatest football coaches of all time, carry a profound and timeless message that resonates beyond the realm of sports. At first glance, this quote may appear straightforward, suggesting that exhaustion weakens our resolve, courage, and mental faculties. Undeniably, when our energy levels are depleted, our physical and mental capabilities can be hindered. However, delving deeper into this concept, let us explore an unexpected philosophical perspective that sheds new light on the significance of Lombardi's quote. In our fast-paced, modern world, fatigue has become an omnipresent companion. Whether it is the pressure to succeed, the demands of our personal lives, or the constant connectivity that technology affords, exhaustion often lurks just around the corner. Lombardi's quote serves as a stern reminder that when we are tired, our ability to confront challenges and face adversity diminishes. Fatigue saps our willpower, leaving us vulnerable and more inclined to take the path of least resistance."
It may be coincidence but while in the Iowa locker Matt is talking about embracing adversity and to enjoy competition and that the significance of having a difficult challenge is the greatness offered in succeeding against it. Does Matt sense mental and physical fatigue? I don't know. He follows it up saying if it were easy...everyone would do it.
None of us have any idea of any fatigue "if" Braden is feeling it and he certainly is not one to want to come out...even if tired. This is between Braden and the coaches and where honestly is crucial and if able Matt needs to rest his main players, but yet still keep them sharp. Still, the first goal, in spite of some not in charge in winning, is the Big season, and the second goal is winning the Big Tourney, and of course the one the media and many others have is winning the NCAA Tourney