Today, Mason Gillis.
OUTLOOK FOR THE SEASON
Purdue has a bunch of really good power forwards, but the guess here in that Gillis maintains his position as the starter for a variety of reasons. For one things, he's maybe this team's signature veteran, having the most seniority in the program and more game experience (at Purdue) than anyone aside from maybe Zach Edey. And it's an important consideration to keep in mind that A) Gillis has immense value to this team and B) he has a ton of experience playing next to Edey and complements him exceedingly well, because he can space the floor with his shooting, he's a great entry guy and he doesn't need the ball to be productive.
He's going to carry big minutes this season again and be one of Purdue's tone-setters and leaders, I'd think.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Similar to what I mentioned the other day about Ethan Morton: Just because Purdue loses a ton of scoring from last season and there are lots of shots taken last season by players who aren't around anymore, that doesn't mean those coming back have to change into something they're not.
Gillis impacts this team most with his tenacity and attitude and physicality, as well as his ability to make open threes. Purdue just needs more of the same from him, and really needs to him to be one of its vocal tone-setters, particularly on defense.
BIGGEST QUESTION(S)
I'm not sure there are any, because Gillis is about as known a commodity as there is on this roster, though Purdue will have a balancing act on its hands finding minutes for a bunch of guys at forwards. Caleb Furst and Trey Kaufman-Renn are both gonna player "center," too, but both will see minutes at the 4, as well, and that's three really good players for just 40 minutes a game on any given night.
BOTTOM LINE
This is about as boring a breakdown as it gets, because Gillis is one of those guys that's just rock steady on the floor. His next step may not come in his skill set or role or anything like that as much as it does his leadership on a team that needs its next wave to emerge now. He sets a great example with his effort and you hear his voice on the floor. All important things.
Questions?
OUTLOOK FOR THE SEASON
Purdue has a bunch of really good power forwards, but the guess here in that Gillis maintains his position as the starter for a variety of reasons. For one things, he's maybe this team's signature veteran, having the most seniority in the program and more game experience (at Purdue) than anyone aside from maybe Zach Edey. And it's an important consideration to keep in mind that A) Gillis has immense value to this team and B) he has a ton of experience playing next to Edey and complements him exceedingly well, because he can space the floor with his shooting, he's a great entry guy and he doesn't need the ball to be productive.
He's going to carry big minutes this season again and be one of Purdue's tone-setters and leaders, I'd think.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Similar to what I mentioned the other day about Ethan Morton: Just because Purdue loses a ton of scoring from last season and there are lots of shots taken last season by players who aren't around anymore, that doesn't mean those coming back have to change into something they're not.
Gillis impacts this team most with his tenacity and attitude and physicality, as well as his ability to make open threes. Purdue just needs more of the same from him, and really needs to him to be one of its vocal tone-setters, particularly on defense.
BIGGEST QUESTION(S)
I'm not sure there are any, because Gillis is about as known a commodity as there is on this roster, though Purdue will have a balancing act on its hands finding minutes for a bunch of guys at forwards. Caleb Furst and Trey Kaufman-Renn are both gonna player "center," too, but both will see minutes at the 4, as well, and that's three really good players for just 40 minutes a game on any given night.
BOTTOM LINE
This is about as boring a breakdown as it gets, because Gillis is one of those guys that's just rock steady on the floor. His next step may not come in his skill set or role or anything like that as much as it does his leadership on a team that needs its next wave to emerge now. He sets a great example with his effort and you hear his voice on the floor. All important things.
Questions?
