I think we can all agree that Purdue's quote-unquote core, nucleus, whatever you'd call it is this: Rapheal Davis, A.J. Hammons, Isaac Haas, Vince Edwards, Caleb Swanigan, Dakota Mathias and Kendall Stephens.
That group comprises the bulk of Purdue's experience, offensive firepower and defensive prowess.
Now, take into account this: Purdue has now played in three games that were toss-ups well into the second half.
Who was the hero against Florida? P.J. Thompson. Who was the big-shot-maker at Pittsburgh? Ryan Cline. Who was the spark against New Mexico? Johnny Hill. Why do I write in question-and-response form? 'Cause I'm lazy.
For as good as Purdue's centers were, again, the contributions of Hill can't be overlooked. His 12 points mirrored the margin of Purdue's victory over the Lobos, and there's no telling what impact his defensive spark had. Yes, New Mexico rallied to lead again after Hill forced back to back turnovers as part of a Boilermaker run, but there's also no telling in such a then-close game what Lobo scores in those situations might have meant.
Point being, Purdue has a lot of dudes who can help it win, and that's been proven to this point.
That's been part of the beauty of this team so far. If it's not one player, it's another. Vince Edwards plays the worst game of his college career and Hill creates a spark. Isaac Haas struggles at Pitt, then A.J. Hammons dominates.
And Rapheal Davis isn't even playing right now.
And if it's not one phase of the game, it's another.
Purdue's constant is going to be the interior, both offensively and on the glass.
But beyond that, this is a team that put a pillow over Old Dominion's face defensively, then lit Florida up like a pinball machine with its offense 24 hours later. It's a team that can go to Hammons or Haas every time down in the halfcourt against Pittsburgh or New Mexico or simply rain threes on opponents like they did against some of its riff-raff opponents earlier in the year.
In the first half today you saw Purdue pick up the pace and really push the ball up the floor, with a good deal of success, including our first glimpse at the devastating transition-game connection of Ryan Cline to Isaac Haas. Watch your back, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Whether that was the plan or just happened organically, I don't know, but it happened nonetheless. And for the most part this season - today being mostly an exception - the Boilermakers' halfcourt execution has been rock solid.
But against New Mexico it was that game of Whack-A-Mole.
Purdue misses 18 threes, but grabs 17 offensive rebounds (which they amazingly turned into only eight points, but whatever).
Purdue commits 19 turnovers, but also forces 19 turnovers.
It's a lot for opponents to deal with.
If it's not one thing, it's another.
And it's a hell of a luxury for the Boilermakers to have.
That group comprises the bulk of Purdue's experience, offensive firepower and defensive prowess.
Now, take into account this: Purdue has now played in three games that were toss-ups well into the second half.
Who was the hero against Florida? P.J. Thompson. Who was the big-shot-maker at Pittsburgh? Ryan Cline. Who was the spark against New Mexico? Johnny Hill. Why do I write in question-and-response form? 'Cause I'm lazy.
For as good as Purdue's centers were, again, the contributions of Hill can't be overlooked. His 12 points mirrored the margin of Purdue's victory over the Lobos, and there's no telling what impact his defensive spark had. Yes, New Mexico rallied to lead again after Hill forced back to back turnovers as part of a Boilermaker run, but there's also no telling in such a then-close game what Lobo scores in those situations might have meant.
Point being, Purdue has a lot of dudes who can help it win, and that's been proven to this point.
That's been part of the beauty of this team so far. If it's not one player, it's another. Vince Edwards plays the worst game of his college career and Hill creates a spark. Isaac Haas struggles at Pitt, then A.J. Hammons dominates.
And Rapheal Davis isn't even playing right now.
And if it's not one phase of the game, it's another.
Purdue's constant is going to be the interior, both offensively and on the glass.
But beyond that, this is a team that put a pillow over Old Dominion's face defensively, then lit Florida up like a pinball machine with its offense 24 hours later. It's a team that can go to Hammons or Haas every time down in the halfcourt against Pittsburgh or New Mexico or simply rain threes on opponents like they did against some of its riff-raff opponents earlier in the year.
In the first half today you saw Purdue pick up the pace and really push the ball up the floor, with a good deal of success, including our first glimpse at the devastating transition-game connection of Ryan Cline to Isaac Haas. Watch your back, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Whether that was the plan or just happened organically, I don't know, but it happened nonetheless. And for the most part this season - today being mostly an exception - the Boilermakers' halfcourt execution has been rock solid.
But against New Mexico it was that game of Whack-A-Mole.
Purdue misses 18 threes, but grabs 17 offensive rebounds (which they amazingly turned into only eight points, but whatever).
Purdue commits 19 turnovers, but also forces 19 turnovers.
It's a lot for opponents to deal with.
If it's not one thing, it's another.
And it's a hell of a luxury for the Boilermakers to have.
