I sure hope you’re right, TJ!
Said a lot of things and not sure of a particular you hope I'm right, but if I'm not, we still have the team we have. My biggest concern as always is stopping dribble (first) and pass (second) penetration into the lane. Getting better at that will help the defensive rebounding and ultimately lower the opposition FG% I believe...and lower their FT attempts. Most everyone knew the most potent offensive team and it appears that will be more in play. That said, rotations will be developed. Together, Cox and Harris should be able to handle the ball when Braden is out, but no doubt the offense will stagnate some without Braden. Course "if" a team is pressing hard there should be less of a need to run an offense enabling Harris and Cox to be more effective "IF" they don't turn it over. If the opposition is not pressing hard full or 3/4 court, then the potential issues remain. Half court pressure can still be a problem though. Still, Matt does not want the other team to make a run due to not having enough offense on the court and so the current five creates more questions about who is coming off the bench and when. I don't believe Matt wants the current five playing so many minutes as an attempt to reduce the sub times as he expects movement on O and D and fresher bodies.
The single best thing or pleasant surprise from the last game and a small amount against Marquette is Myles attacking the basket. IMO, that is HUGE! It will add a player to the list capable of getting inside the lane on his own, making it harder for Myles to be defended rather than the spot shooter he was last year. Kudos to him for his improvement!
I'm of the belief that turnovers are the result of your team on offense rather than the defense of the other team. Naturally, the opposition has a say on that and tries to make it difficult. Purdue still has choices and one is to NOT throw it to a teammate that has another defending him in passing lane...which Purdue did. The other correctable thing is to develop better timing in coming off screens as well as setting up or sealing the defender in a way that puts him a step behind you preventing him from blowing up the screen. Unfortunately the handoffs at the top of the key resulting from a hard, high hedge while not being as worried about a quick slip/roll from the 5 pushes Braden out farther due to him going as fast as he does fearful of getting an offensive foul into the D 5 man. If the screener becomes more and more a threat, they can't double and/or blow up that screen. Should or could we see more wings ball screening? Ultimately, I want to believe this team will improve and defensive pressure effectiveness will diminish.
purdue.rivals.com
