Depth-

[ddmills333]

Looking at our roster I think our potential for a deep tournament run lies in our bench and if they can contribute at an extremely high level.

Line up combos as I see it

PJ - CE/Spike
Dakota - CE/cline
Vince - cline/smotherman
Biggie - smotherman/Taylor
Haas - Biggie

That's a lot of potential line-ups, but I feel like we will have to change our playing style constantly throughout the game. That is something I feel like we've struggled with in the past.

I think our top 7 are very good and will contribute at a top 10 team level. I think this years success falls in the hands of 4 guys.

1- CMP's ability to adapt in game situations with personnel.

2- Spike staying healthy and playing like we've seen in the past.

3- Smotherman benefiting from the RS and becoming the player we've seen potential in.

4- Taylor being about to play minutes at the 4/5 to give biggie and haas a blow. Also blooming into the athlete and player we saw glimpses in late in the games last season.

Thoughts?!?

 

[nagemj02]

They could have benefitted from getting another talented scoring guard, like an Akeem Springs (who will be a grad-transfer at Minnesota this season) or a Pancake Thomas (who will be a grad-transfer at Western Kentucky this season), as well as a skilled, athletic big (like Anthony Livingston, who will be a grad-transfer at Texas Tech this season).

However, they should still be a very tough out if Carsen Edwards is as good as he appears to be and the returnees all improve their overall games to some degree. Also, if healthy enough, I do believe Spike Albrecht (along with CE) will improve Purdue's execution and attack against traps and full-court pressure this season. Basil Smotherman might actually help in that area as well, now that I think of it.

 

[nagemj02]

"That's a lot of potential line-ups, but I feel like we will have to change our playing style constantly throughout the game. That is something I feel like we've struggled with in the past."

I think you nailed it with this statement. Painter has never been good at changing offensive or defensive schemes QUICKLY or in consecutive possession within a game. That would probably be the biggest challenge in order to be able to play with different-styled through the course of a single game. A lot of coaches do these types of things, but it doesn't seem to be in Painter's DNA to try and throw opposing teams off of their rhythm with a quick, instinctual schematic change.

 

[Dakota Girl]

They could have benefitted from getting another talented scoring guard, like an Akeem Springs (who will be a grad-transfer at Minnesota this season) or a Pancake Thomas (who will be a grad-transfer at Western Kentucky this season), as well as a skilled, athletic big (like Anthony Livingston, who will be a grad-transfer at Texas Tech this season).

However, they should still be a very tough out if Carsen Edwards is as good as he appears to be and the returnees all improve their overall games to some degree. Also, if healthy enough, I do believe Spike Albrecht (along with CE) will improve Purdue's execution and attack against traps and full-court pressure this season. Basil Smotherman might actually help in that area as well, now that I think of it.

I have never heard of these guys. Why didn't you tell coach about them sooner!?