This one won't be as exciting as last weeks practice. Instead of a practice full of five on five, there was no live competition and the practice was deemed to be non-contact. With Head Coach Matt Painter in Vegas with Team USA Select, Paul Lusk, PJ Thompson, and Sasha Stefanovic took turns running offensive sets and ingraining the motion offense principles.
Some key notes to start:
Kanon Catchings was in attendance. As soon as he walked into the practice gym, Brandon Brantley came up and spent a few minutes talking with him. Catchings relationship with Brantley is one of the strongest points of reinforcing his commitment to Purdue.
Another fun attendee was Gene Keady, the historic former Purdue Head Coach made a showing later into the practice and was entertaining a group of high school coaches at the side of practice.
Zach Edey was not at practice as he's already left to join Team Canada and their training for the World Cup.
Will Berg was practicing after starting full basketball activities again last week.
Lance Jones has been away from the team with a family emergency.
And while Purdue played sets against air for most of the practice, the amount of verticality and athleticism still stood out with Camden Heide and Myles Colvin both playing well above the rim on cuts and drives during drills and sets.
But after a few grueling weeks of preparation, Purdue seems to have shifted into let's stay healthy for the final scrimmage and get ready for Europe mode.
We'll get a full list of alumni that will be available on Saturday before Purdue's final scrimmage, but confirmed to play are P.J. Thompson and Sasha Stefanovic.
I talked in depth with Ethan Morton after practice about his ability to play the back up point guard position, dealing with last year's loss, his personal struggles, and how this team is different than the previous one.
Also talked to Paul Lusk about what Purdue will do differently and keep the same going into next year.
More to come in articles in the next couple days on those conversations.
Some key notes to start:
Another fun attendee was Gene Keady, the historic former Purdue Head Coach made a showing later into the practice and was entertaining a group of high school coaches at the side of practice.
Zach Edey was not at practice as he's already left to join Team Canada and their training for the World Cup.
Will Berg was practicing after starting full basketball activities again last week.
Lance Jones has been away from the team with a family emergency.
And while Purdue played sets against air for most of the practice, the amount of verticality and athleticism still stood out with Camden Heide and Myles Colvin both playing well above the rim on cuts and drives during drills and sets.
But after a few grueling weeks of preparation, Purdue seems to have shifted into let's stay healthy for the final scrimmage and get ready for Europe mode.
We'll get a full list of alumni that will be available on Saturday before Purdue's final scrimmage, but confirmed to play are P.J. Thompson and Sasha Stefanovic.
I talked in depth with Ethan Morton after practice about his ability to play the back up point guard position, dealing with last year's loss, his personal struggles, and how this team is different than the previous one.
Also talked to Paul Lusk about what Purdue will do differently and keep the same going into next year.
More to come in articles in the next couple days on those conversations.
