A few final musings from Purdue's 68-61 win over Valparaiso, because I know how you like musings.
• Again, this sort of wild variance had to be expected at some point this season and here's guessing you've not seen the last of it.
You saw Purdue's floor during that first half and it wasn't pretty. They need to get better because of it, obviously.
• This was a game where not having Eric Hunter was actually the least of Purdue's problems, and that's a credit to Isaiah Thompson, who was really good tonight.
• Kudos to Zach Edey for not getting shook by that atrocious first half. Atrocious puts in politely. These young guys were bound to struggle at some point, and kudos to the freshman for not wallowing in missing three shots he'll make 100 percent of the time the rest of the season probably and getting exploited on D.
• Mason Gillis contributed to this win way more than the box score shows or most may have noticed. I don't know if he'll ever be a real star at Purdue or anything, but I think he has the makings of a potentially elite role player and given the talent that'll be in the program in years to come, those guys may be the difference between just being a good team and being a great one.
When Purdue's size was getting killed on D in the first half, I wondered if Painter would go so far as to put Gillis at the 5 just to guard. Painter never wants to wave the white matchups flag, but Purdue wasn't getting a lot of offense from its bigs and was getting flayed on defense.
• It's jarring to see Eron Gordon — one time considered the second coming not all that long ago — finishing his college career coming off the bench at Valparaiso. (He started tonight but had been coming off the bench.)
You feel bad for these guys sometimes when they get treated like rock stars when they're babies and live in a bit of a different world because of it and suddenly life comes at you fast, because things don't always work out the way we expect or the people around us expect.
• Brandon Newman's next game will be an interesting one, because he is a super-competitive guy and sometimes those guys can be a bit more emotional, a bit harder on themselves when they struggle. It happens and no one's immune. I wonder if someone will be telling him that tonight. I don't think confidence will ever be an issue for him. Over-eagerness can be.
• Good for Purdue to see Trevion Williams see the ball go through the hoop and to make big plays to help get this win.
But the three wasn't a great decision. Not sure what the deal was there.
• Can't say enough about all Sasha Stefanovic is doing for this team right now. He's having a great year.
Thanks for reading everyone and have a good night.
• Again, this sort of wild variance had to be expected at some point this season and here's guessing you've not seen the last of it.
You saw Purdue's floor during that first half and it wasn't pretty. They need to get better because of it, obviously.
• This was a game where not having Eric Hunter was actually the least of Purdue's problems, and that's a credit to Isaiah Thompson, who was really good tonight.
• Kudos to Zach Edey for not getting shook by that atrocious first half. Atrocious puts in politely. These young guys were bound to struggle at some point, and kudos to the freshman for not wallowing in missing three shots he'll make 100 percent of the time the rest of the season probably and getting exploited on D.
• Mason Gillis contributed to this win way more than the box score shows or most may have noticed. I don't know if he'll ever be a real star at Purdue or anything, but I think he has the makings of a potentially elite role player and given the talent that'll be in the program in years to come, those guys may be the difference between just being a good team and being a great one.
When Purdue's size was getting killed on D in the first half, I wondered if Painter would go so far as to put Gillis at the 5 just to guard. Painter never wants to wave the white matchups flag, but Purdue wasn't getting a lot of offense from its bigs and was getting flayed on defense.
• It's jarring to see Eron Gordon — one time considered the second coming not all that long ago — finishing his college career coming off the bench at Valparaiso. (He started tonight but had been coming off the bench.)
You feel bad for these guys sometimes when they get treated like rock stars when they're babies and live in a bit of a different world because of it and suddenly life comes at you fast, because things don't always work out the way we expect or the people around us expect.
• Brandon Newman's next game will be an interesting one, because he is a super-competitive guy and sometimes those guys can be a bit more emotional, a bit harder on themselves when they struggle. It happens and no one's immune. I wonder if someone will be telling him that tonight. I don't think confidence will ever be an issue for him. Over-eagerness can be.
• Good for Purdue to see Trevion Williams see the ball go through the hoop and to make big plays to help get this win.
But the three wasn't a great decision. Not sure what the deal was there.
• Can't say enough about all Sasha Stefanovic is doing for this team right now. He's having a great year.
Thanks for reading everyone and have a good night.
