Fascinating comment from Swanigan

[reswat]

One of the articles on Gold and Black had this comment from Caleb:

After Caleb Swanigan out-fought two Iowa State players for an offensive rebound on Mathias’ miss, it wasn’t an accident that the ball ended up in Thompson’s hands.

“I found him when I got the rebound because I knew he wanted to make up from the Michigan game,” Swanigan said, “and to be able to get that off his mind is big.
​

That is fascinating to me. Caleb doesn't really reveal much about his heart during his interviews. His answers are normally clipped, while still managing to be polite. I can understand that, given all the times his heart was probably stomped on as a child.

But this comment seems to show a deep level of compassion and unselfishness. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but he seems to be truly grateful for the 'second chance' he was given by Roosevelt Barnes, and he is now willing to give that second chance to others.

Even during the middle of that game, he says, "I found him (PJ)...", which means that In the midst of this chance to go to the Sweet Sixteen, he was consciously looking for PJ to give him a chance to redeem himself.

To me, that is really cool.

 

[djy2j]

Thought it seemed weird for him to give up the ball like that but when I saw the look in PJ's eyes before how took those FT's I knew he was making both. He had a look of confidence I had never seen in him before. Glad it worked out.

 

[BoilerGal74]

I had thought the same thing whenbI read the GBI piece.

 

[Bethboilerfan]

Caleb is just a really great kid. His family and Rosie did a wonderful job. Did you see Rosie in the stands? At the end he was in the aisle and appeared to be quite angry.

 

[Boiler Wolf]

As hard as Caleb has worked and his goal of making the League, he is a great teammate. Yes, sometimes he tries to do too much and gets blocked or stripped, but his passing and connection with teammates is just amazing. He MAKES IH look good so many times by getting him the ball right where he needs it. Caleb understands as a fellow big man where Issac needs the ball. He makes everyone on the team look better and I'm impressed with the confidence he has in his teammates.

 

[BoilerGal74]

Caleb is just a really great kid. His family and Rosie did a wonderful job. Did you see Rosie in the stands? At the end he was in the aisle and appeared to be quite angry.

That was when Caleb took that charge and they called the foul on Biggie instead of a charge.. But also showed him at end of game...smiling that great big smile of his... Such an impressive man, such an impressive son!

 

[RDUBoiler]

That was when Caleb took that charge and they called the foul on Biggie instead of a charge.. But also showed him at end of game...smiling that great big smile of his... Such an impressive man, su h an impressive son!

Agree. Barnes was angry about the bad call on Swanigan.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

If Biggie isn't NPOY, then I don't know what the award means. Dude is a beast. He does everything and is an awesome team player.

 

[Frankie611]

If Biggie isn't NPOY, then I don't know what the award means. Dude is a beast. He does everything and is an awesome team player.

He will have a chance to play against his biggest competition for the award on Thursday. If we win, I think he gets it unless Mason gets a double double in a loss. Would be a cherry on top if he could beat London Ball in the FF too

 

[SnowLeopard]

Caleb is a great soul

I have no doubt this anecdote is exactly what happened. It is consistent with everything we have heard and read about him (volunteering with kids, burning desire to better himself and his family, etc).

It not only shows compassion, it shows a wisdom and understanding of how to make his teammates better, and his team better.

He really is the extraordinary heartbeat pulsing in this Purdue team, and has the exceptional force of character to break our NCAA drought

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

If Biggie isn't NPOY, then I don't know what the award means. Dude is a beast. He does everything and is an awesome team player.

If Mason played anywhere else, the award would be locked up, IMO.

 

[Professor Emeritus]

One of the articles on Gold and Black had this comment from Caleb:

After Caleb Swanigan out-fought two Iowa State players for an offensive rebound on Mathias’ miss, it wasn’t an accident that the ball ended up in Thompson’s hands.

“I found him when I got the rebound because I knew he wanted to make up from the Michigan game,” Swanigan said, “and to be able to get that off his mind is big.
​

That is fascinating to me. Caleb doesn't really reveal much about his heart during his interviews. His answers are normally clipped, while still managing to be polite. I can understand that, given all the times his heart was probably stomped on as a child.

But this comment seems to show a deep level of compassion and unselfishness. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but he seems to be truly grateful for the 'second chance' he was given by Roosevelt Barnes, and he is now willing to give that second chance to others.

Even during the middle of that game, he says, "I found him (PJ)...", which means that In the midst of this chance to go to the Sweet Sixteen, he was consciously looking for PJ to give him a chance to redeem himself.

To me, that is really cool.

If we (Purdue) had an area with monuments and plaques dedicated to our greatest players like in Yankee Stadium, Swanigan's, like Mickey Mantle's, would be headed "A Great Teammate."

I really think it's impossible to overstate how inspiring Biggie's story is. The impression he will leave on this program, even after only a two-year stay, will be deep and lasting.

 

[delish1]

Agree. Barnes was angry about the bad call on Swanigan.

When they showed Barnes animated I thought it was after biggie missed a shot going into the lane and he was telling swanigan to use his left.

Tv said he was mad about a call but that's not what I thought.

 

[*4purdue*]

If Mason played anywhere else, the award would be locked up, IMO.

Duke?

 

[BoilerStation]

I was also very surprised he didn't hold onto the ball to take the ft's himself but to recognize the importance of having other players playing with confidence in the situation and for a deep tourney run is pretty damn impressive.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Duke?

Given Duke's struggles this year...yes. Was any member of Duke even under consideration for the award this season?

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

I was also very surprised he didn't hold onto the ball to take the ft's himself but to recognize the importance of having other players playing with confidence in the situation and for a deep tourney run is pretty damn impressive.

Honestly wouldn't surprise me if Biggie saw PJT taking some extra free throws before and after practices the last few weeks and saw the hard work he was putting in. I'm guessing if Caleb didn't see that, the ball would have stayed in his hands. Biggie's impact is going to be showing every one else what it takes to truly be great and to lead not only by example on the court but in preparation and work ethic. By all measures, Dakota was an incredible worker and I doubt he could imagine what Biggie would do to make himself in to what he wants to be. The advantage is going to be seeing those four juniors turn to seniors and that big freshman class come in and hopefully get that 'Biggie' work ethic rubbed off on them.

We obviously know Biggie's impact this year...but Biggie is truly a program changing type of player for Purdue. If he can get Purdue to a FF (hell, even an Elite 8), the recruiting advantages that will give along with what I spoke about earlier will pay dividends. Even Painter has said Biggie has opened his eyes to what it takes to be great.

 

[Tony79]

Thought it seemed weird for him to give up the ball like that but when I saw the look in PJ's eyes before how took those FT's I knew he was making both. He had a look of confidence I had never seen in him before. Glad it worked out.

Poor Mathias. I told my wife there is no way in hell he's going to make his FT.

 

[nagemj02]

Poor Mathias. I told my wife there is no way in hell he's going to make his FT.

Glad to see Thompson make those FT's. Still, I would choose Albrecht, Swanigan, VE, CE, and Haas to shoot FT's with the game on the line. Mathias and Cline scare me at the FT line when the game is on the line. This should help P.J.'s confidence in those situations going forward.

 

[boilerjrut3]

Agree. Barnes was angry about the bad call on Swanigan.

When they showed Barnes animated I thought it was after biggie missed a shot going into the lane and he was telling swanigan to use his left.

Tv said he was mad about a call but that's not what I thought.

I thought it was because he was mad at Biggie for not shutting off Burton from going left to his dominant hand. That was in the middle of Burtons onslaught and he was killing Biggie.

 

[lbodel]

When they showed Barnes animated I thought it was after biggie missed a shot going into the lane and he was telling swanigan to use his left.

Tv said he was mad about a call but that's not what I thought.

Let's be honest - the TV announcers had no idea what the reaction was directly related to and just assumed.

I wish they'd cut out the looks at the mom's, dad's, relatives, babysitters, etc. constantly. It's one thing to show them one or two times. I don't need to see them 10 times.

 

[Boilermaker]

They showed Rosie several times, but man did they really overdo it with that ISU mom. She got more airtime than both coaches combined!