I posted something similar in the other thread, and then it hit me: how would the roster next year affect the 2018 recruiting? 2017 recruiting is basically done (not likely to get another freshmen, and a grad transfer wouldn't count toward 2018), so even though it is WAY TOO EARLY to worry about 2018 recruits, I thought it'd been fun to take a rather premature look at how the depth may help or hurt the possible recruiting processes. As for the roster analysis, there may be many reiteration of my previous post, and for the recruiting impact, I will only mention the effect of the roster depths, not an actual recruiting practice by Painter. There are just too many factors in recruiting for me to make an accurate prediction at this point, or ever, so I am only going to mention how the depth might look to a potential recruit.
Center: Isaac Haas, Jacquil Taylor, Matt Haarms
2017 Roster Depth: A-
First, I would like to apologize for misspelling Haarms' first name in my previous post; it is Matt, not Max. He is likely to redshirt this year, which I was not aware when I wrote the previous post. Nevertheless, with the experienced Haas and Taylor before him, I don't think Haarms would get any major minutes. Haas is already an established D1 starter, and Taylor does have a physique of one. It would be safe to say that this position is set for us next year. If Haarms want to participate, he would have to bulk up fast, adding at least 20 more pounds.
2018 Recruiting Impact: C (maybe get a 3-star project)
I did mention Jacob Epperson possibly joining us in 2017, but to be frank, it is becoming less likely by the minute. Haas will definitely take up the majority of minutes next year, and any back-up duty will fall on Taylor first. Even in 2018 when Haas leaves, anyone who joins us will have to compete with Taylor and Haarms, who by then would have 2 years of experience under his belt. No one, especially highly-ranked prospects, would want to come and compete for minutes. I don't know how Taylor and Haarms would turn out, but the sheer number of veterans in this position would deter any minutes-eager recruits, even moreso since Painter would never blindly promise playing time to any player. Many recruiting services list Adam Trapp, a 7'2" Minnesota recruit, as a possible signee for 2018, but that is only because he seems to be a project at this point. If Trapp does sign, we can at least take comfort in the fact that Purdue will build a reputation as a school for developing 7-footers.
Power Forward: Vince Edwards, Ethan Ewing
2017 Roster Depth: B+
I really like Vince and his talents, but I think he would have flourished better as a small forward than a power forward. But in order to maximize our production, Vince has started as a power forward this year and the trend will continue next year, too. I did not realize that Ewing is listed as a power forward, and his JUCO experience means that he is at least capable of immediately playing as a back-up for Vince. Taylor can also play here if Haarms develop early.
2018 Recruiting Impact: A (a 4-star prospect or better)
This may be the best open spot for Purdue to attract recruits. Vince will graduate by 2018, and Taylor and Haarms will take mainly the center role. Othan than Ewing, who will only have one more year of eligibility left by then, there will be no one to compete for the minutes. A 4-star recruit would see this as an opportunity, and if lucky, Painter might find an another 5-star jem on our hand (low probability, I know, but it is not nil). Even if Ewing somehow explodes next year and becomes a great player, he would only be at Purdue for one more year. Painter just has to find someone who is smart enough to recognize it. I personally would prefer an inside-banger, like Biggie or Tillman who ended up at MSU. None of the players remaining by then would be as a great rebounder as Biggie, so Purdue needs to get another big body inside.
Small Forward: Nojel Eastern, Aaron Wheeler
2017 Roster Depth: B
Nojel is more of a guard, but he is likely to play a SF at Purdue for the maximized production. I thought Wheeler may redshirt, but others don't seem to agree. Either way, unless he blows out others in practices early, Wheeler will have to wait his time. I know it is only a wishful thinking that Nojel will be an immediate contributor, as he is yet to play a single college game. But his ranking suggests that it is highly probable, so I am taking the side of optimism. If Nojel does not produce quickly enough, Mathias can slide here as needed like he has done this year. Purdue will be fine.
2018 Recruiting Impact: B (a 3-star or better)
Even if Nojel excels here, he is fundamentally a guard. If someone great wants to join us in 2018, we can just move Nojel to the starting guard position. Basically anyone who signs as a 2018 recruit only has Wheeler to compete. Even if Wheeler turn out to be a hidden stone, a good 3-star may feel that he is still good enough to get some minutes. Even a 4-star might get interested, depending on how Painter paints a picture. My personal take is that Painter needs to get another Hummel or Vince type of a player, a versatile player who can play both inside and out.
Shooting Guard: Dakota Mathias, Ryan Cline, Sasha Stefanovic
2017 Roster Depth: A-
Our deepest depth is here. Beside the three above, Nojel and Carsen can also contribute here. I am not sure Sasha can give much impact next year regardless of how good he really is. There are just too many bodies here. All of them lives and dies by shooting 3's, so there really is no other way to get minutes than just shooting better. Mathias has an edge thanks to his defense, so he is likely to start.
2018 Recruiting Impact: B (a 3-star or better)
This is a rather tricky one. While Purdue will still have 3 playable bodies (Cline, Sasha, and Nojel; 4 if you include Carsen) here in 2018, this position is also interchangable with the small forward position in college. If Painter can convice a solid 3-star or even a 4-star, he may sign thinking he would get playing time at either position. Depending on the situation, Painter might just forget about going after a small forward prospect and settle for a good guard. Also, if one considers Carsen as a combo-guard, Painter has always signed at least one guard every recent year. I doubt 2018 will be any different.
Point Guard: PJ Thompson, Carsen Edwards
2017 Roster Depth: B
Tommy Luce is also a walk-on point guard, but for the purpose of this post, I will only discuss the scholarship players. With Thompson and Carsen, including Nojel if necessary, there really isn't much to discuss here. Both Thompson and Carsen has proven to be effective this year, and regardless of who starts, Purdue will have enough depth to be competitive in this position, too.
2018 Recruiting Impact: C (maybe a 3-star project)
This is also a toughie, as Nojel also can play this position (thank God he will be a Boiler!). Yet I doubt Painter would find a 5-star point guard eager to join Purdue. Carsen, who by then would have accumulated 2 years of experience, would be a tough competition for minutes. A highly-ranked players would have a plenty of other options where one is guaranteed to start. Also, Purdue is hardly a favorite school for point guards. Personally I prefer to have the same decent point guard for 4 years than one great point guard for one year, as I think this position needs to be more stable than other position for a school's long-term success. If Painter can find someone who is willing to stay all 4 years while learning behind Carsen for a few, that would be great.
Center: Isaac Haas, Jacquil Taylor, Matt Haarms
2017 Roster Depth: A-
First, I would like to apologize for misspelling Haarms' first name in my previous post; it is Matt, not Max. He is likely to redshirt this year, which I was not aware when I wrote the previous post. Nevertheless, with the experienced Haas and Taylor before him, I don't think Haarms would get any major minutes. Haas is already an established D1 starter, and Taylor does have a physique of one. It would be safe to say that this position is set for us next year. If Haarms want to participate, he would have to bulk up fast, adding at least 20 more pounds.
2018 Recruiting Impact: C (maybe get a 3-star project)
I did mention Jacob Epperson possibly joining us in 2017, but to be frank, it is becoming less likely by the minute. Haas will definitely take up the majority of minutes next year, and any back-up duty will fall on Taylor first. Even in 2018 when Haas leaves, anyone who joins us will have to compete with Taylor and Haarms, who by then would have 2 years of experience under his belt. No one, especially highly-ranked prospects, would want to come and compete for minutes. I don't know how Taylor and Haarms would turn out, but the sheer number of veterans in this position would deter any minutes-eager recruits, even moreso since Painter would never blindly promise playing time to any player. Many recruiting services list Adam Trapp, a 7'2" Minnesota recruit, as a possible signee for 2018, but that is only because he seems to be a project at this point. If Trapp does sign, we can at least take comfort in the fact that Purdue will build a reputation as a school for developing 7-footers.
Power Forward: Vince Edwards, Ethan Ewing
2017 Roster Depth: B+
I really like Vince and his talents, but I think he would have flourished better as a small forward than a power forward. But in order to maximize our production, Vince has started as a power forward this year and the trend will continue next year, too. I did not realize that Ewing is listed as a power forward, and his JUCO experience means that he is at least capable of immediately playing as a back-up for Vince. Taylor can also play here if Haarms develop early.
2018 Recruiting Impact: A (a 4-star prospect or better)
This may be the best open spot for Purdue to attract recruits. Vince will graduate by 2018, and Taylor and Haarms will take mainly the center role. Othan than Ewing, who will only have one more year of eligibility left by then, there will be no one to compete for the minutes. A 4-star recruit would see this as an opportunity, and if lucky, Painter might find an another 5-star jem on our hand (low probability, I know, but it is not nil). Even if Ewing somehow explodes next year and becomes a great player, he would only be at Purdue for one more year. Painter just has to find someone who is smart enough to recognize it. I personally would prefer an inside-banger, like Biggie or Tillman who ended up at MSU. None of the players remaining by then would be as a great rebounder as Biggie, so Purdue needs to get another big body inside.
Small Forward: Nojel Eastern, Aaron Wheeler
2017 Roster Depth: B
Nojel is more of a guard, but he is likely to play a SF at Purdue for the maximized production. I thought Wheeler may redshirt, but others don't seem to agree. Either way, unless he blows out others in practices early, Wheeler will have to wait his time. I know it is only a wishful thinking that Nojel will be an immediate contributor, as he is yet to play a single college game. But his ranking suggests that it is highly probable, so I am taking the side of optimism. If Nojel does not produce quickly enough, Mathias can slide here as needed like he has done this year. Purdue will be fine.
2018 Recruiting Impact: B (a 3-star or better)
Even if Nojel excels here, he is fundamentally a guard. If someone great wants to join us in 2018, we can just move Nojel to the starting guard position. Basically anyone who signs as a 2018 recruit only has Wheeler to compete. Even if Wheeler turn out to be a hidden stone, a good 3-star may feel that he is still good enough to get some minutes. Even a 4-star might get interested, depending on how Painter paints a picture. My personal take is that Painter needs to get another Hummel or Vince type of a player, a versatile player who can play both inside and out.
Shooting Guard: Dakota Mathias, Ryan Cline, Sasha Stefanovic
2017 Roster Depth: A-
Our deepest depth is here. Beside the three above, Nojel and Carsen can also contribute here. I am not sure Sasha can give much impact next year regardless of how good he really is. There are just too many bodies here. All of them lives and dies by shooting 3's, so there really is no other way to get minutes than just shooting better. Mathias has an edge thanks to his defense, so he is likely to start.
2018 Recruiting Impact: B (a 3-star or better)
This is a rather tricky one. While Purdue will still have 3 playable bodies (Cline, Sasha, and Nojel; 4 if you include Carsen) here in 2018, this position is also interchangable with the small forward position in college. If Painter can convice a solid 3-star or even a 4-star, he may sign thinking he would get playing time at either position. Depending on the situation, Painter might just forget about going after a small forward prospect and settle for a good guard. Also, if one considers Carsen as a combo-guard, Painter has always signed at least one guard every recent year. I doubt 2018 will be any different.
Point Guard: PJ Thompson, Carsen Edwards
2017 Roster Depth: B
Tommy Luce is also a walk-on point guard, but for the purpose of this post, I will only discuss the scholarship players. With Thompson and Carsen, including Nojel if necessary, there really isn't much to discuss here. Both Thompson and Carsen has proven to be effective this year, and regardless of who starts, Purdue will have enough depth to be competitive in this position, too.
2018 Recruiting Impact: C (maybe a 3-star project)
This is also a toughie, as Nojel also can play this position (thank God he will be a Boiler!). Yet I doubt Painter would find a 5-star point guard eager to join Purdue. Carsen, who by then would have accumulated 2 years of experience, would be a tough competition for minutes. A highly-ranked players would have a plenty of other options where one is guaranteed to start. Also, Purdue is hardly a favorite school for point guards. Personally I prefer to have the same decent point guard for 4 years than one great point guard for one year, as I think this position needs to be more stable than other position for a school's long-term success. If Painter can find someone who is willing to stay all 4 years while learning behind Carsen for a few, that would be great.
