Purdue's 65-49 win over Southern Indiana in its exhibition finale seemed to be a step forward from the Northern State game in some sense, and USI was a pretty good preseason opponent.
We'll run through this quickly tonight, 'cause I've been entangled in a variety of assorted BS this evening and still have to review the football game. #whiner
What to like
In the Northern State game, I'm not sure you saw Purdue's defense really impact both ends of the floor like it wants it to; against Southern Indiana, it did.
The Boilermakers got out in transition, something it's going to want to do this season, as it always does. But as Purdue transitions toward some different ways to generate points, its defense may loom even larger. With that in mind, it was a positive that Kelsey Barlow and Lewis Jackson turned a few steals into easy buckets.
Purdue's rebounding was better Sunday than it was Tuesday. Perfect, it certainly wasn't, but it was better, particularly early. Still, these two exhibitions opponents came away with too many offensive rebounds.
I think you saw the fruits Sunday night of much of the labor put in in the off-season.
I don't know how many step-back threes off the dribble Purdue's going to ask Kelsey Barlow to shoot this season when the games count, but he looked good doing it against Southern Indiana. I'm not sure you'll be able to count on to score in such-and-such a way every game, but I'd suspect that one way or another, he's going to chip in his share.
Of anyone on the roster, he's the guy who can take Purdue from good to very good, because he's so awesomely talented and has only cashed in on a portion of that ability so far.
I know it's only an exhibition, but it might have been interesting that Purdue had eight guys score between six and 12 points, with no one taking more than 10 shots.
I thought Robbie Hummel might have taken a shot or two tonight he might not have in the past, indicative of a player looking to score more, and he'll do his share of the scoring, but Purdue is going to have to be balanced, something you saw it achieve Sunday.
Instead of a couple guys scoring a lot, Purdue's going to need a bunch of scoring at least a little.
Couple guys showed they can against Southern Indiana.
I have to admit that my expectations coming into this season for Anthony Johnson were modest, but he's been good. I don't know what the film will tell coaches, but from where I sit, it looks like the redshirt freshman has been smart about his decisions with the ball, has tried to defend well and has emphasized rebounding, all of them key to minutes.
And with John Hart out and Terone Johnson coming along slowly - he looked sluggish, especially early, against USI, though he found ways to get his points - there's an opportunity there for Anthony Johnson.
What role he can fill remains to be seen; the role D.J. Byrd is embracing right now is pretty clear: energy.
Someone asked on our in-game blog if Sandi Marcius can be a 'legitimate' contributor.
Well, if you're expecting 15 and 10 per game, no. But though the sophomore still looks a little rough around the edges, there's no reason to think he can't give Purdue solid minutes, a bunch of rebounds and the occasional basket on a putback, post-up or drive-and-dish.
But who knows? Exhibitions certainly are no predictor of what's to come?
It's easy to look good in exhibitions. Things change here in a couple days and weeks.
What not to like
Clearly, Purdue can rebound better, but that's not been the only statistic that could use an upgrade.
The Boilermakers turned the ball over another 15 times, often setting up scoring opportunities that kept Southern Indiana within a not-impossible margin for much of the game.
Again, though, these exhibitions are for mixing and matching lineups, playing through mistakes, etc., so what ailed Purdue Tuesday and Sunday might be a total non-factor come Friday.
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