Read my previous post and the post above this makes a lot of sense. a post above said catchings wanted guaranteed playing time. and the coaching staff refused to guarantee it.
if you actually read my previous posts, i speculated Jacobson would start at center and be backed up by Furst and TKR would stay at the 4 and be backed up by heide
and the only way Catchings would start and be a one and done at purdue is for him to start at the three. because if TKR started at the 4, Catchings wouldn't get enough minutes to showcase his talents playing the 4.
and as many of you already know, Painter starts a third guard at the three and not a small forward like Catchings.
I'm going to speculate Catchings wanted to start at the three and painter said no, you will be backing up TKR because of Jacobson's success. and I could just see Catchings face, saying, I want to play for a team where the 3 is a small forward and not a guard. and he refused to be TKR's back-up at the 4.
I believe the timing of Catchings announced departure coincided with Jacobson's recent success.
I strongly believe Catchings will look for an opportunity where he can start at the three, or at least not be a back-up at the 4. Catchings' game is more suited to being an NBA 3. and it doesn't appear that Painter was going to give him the opportunity to play the 3 at Purdue. it appears Painter decided he's going to have Harris and myles at the three as that third guard. I agree with the poster above who indicated Catchings wanted guaranteed playing time. and I believe he balked at playing back-up to TKR at the 4. he thought Painter would change his style because of his talent and make the 3 into a small forward position to allow him to shine. and he had a chat with Painter, and Painter said nope, the 3 is going to remain being a guard. Jacobson starts at center, tkr starts at the 4.
and Catchings said if that happens, I'm outta here.
I will be watching to see where he ends up and what position he ends up playing.