Haas playing out of his mind

[Emartin70287]

Enough said really, but this gives painter more of those good difficult decisions. Could Hammons and Haas both be the best two centers in the Big Ten? How do you justify not every playing Hammons at the four when Swanigan is taking a breather? I think that adds an interesting element, and if you don't you under utilize both H&H.

Maybe play some zone when both are in to throw off the opponent. Hammons can play more of a set up guy at the 4, doing picks, and then running in, while Haas is right in the middle gathering attention. Maybe Painter wants to save some of this for tough conference play, but wouldn't it benefit to practice some of this?

I also personally would like to see Hammons have all four years as a block leader in the B1G, and have players want to come back for a fourth year. I just kind of think if Hammons only gets 20 mpg its unfair to him in even if Haas is playing so efficiently. I think Hammons can do more or less what Swanigan does at the four, just differently.
So if you're Matt Painter, what do you do?

 

[lbodel]

Enough said really, but this gives painter more of those good difficult decisions. Could Hammons and Haas both be the best two centers in the Big Ten? How do you justify not every playing Hammons at the four when Swanigan is taking a breather? I think that adds an interesting element, and if you don't you under utilize both H&H.

Maybe play some zone when both are in to throw off the opponent. Hammons can play more of a set up guy at the 4, doing picks, and then running in, while Haas is right in the middle gathering attention. Maybe Painter wants to save some of this for tough conference play, but wouldn't it benefit to practice some of this?

I also personally would like to see Hammons have all four years as a block leader in the B1G, and have players want to come back for a fourth year. I just kind of think if Hammons only gets 20 mpg its unfair to him in even if Haas is playing so efficiently. I think Hammons can do more or less what Swanigan does at the four, just differently.
So if you're Matt Painter, what do you do?

Woohoo our first zone defense thread!

Hammons will get more PT as time goes on against more elite teams. He still gives you better defense than Haas, which doesn't show as much against less skilled teams.

 

[TJBoiler]

Woohoo our first zone defense thread!

Hammons will get more PT as time goes on against more elite teams. He still gives you better defense than Haas, which doesn't show as much against less skilled teams.

I agree. Also Painter has stated that when Haas and Hammons are in the game the spacing is wrong. Frankly it's about winning. I could care less how many minutes any player gets as long as Purdue wins. With Biggie why does Purdue need both out there? Last year it was an interesting idea because of the lack of front court big men.

Look at IU and be thankful Purdue is playing the way they are... IU has talent but looks like a bunch of ME ME players who play lousy defense with eye towards NBA. Yogi thought he was NBA bound last year? Blackmon waited around before announcing he was staying? These guys have their heads up their rear and Crean doesn't have a clue right now how to fix it. BTW VERY AMUSING. Too bad Purdue can't play IU right now. I'd love to have seen Butler play IU instead of ND December 19th.

 

[Emartin70287]

I kind of just think your mvp from last year should get more minutes than 20 per game, and that he should play about 5 minutes at the 4. You do this when Swanigan is on the bench, so he will not be out there. Why is Swanigan able to space their offense that much more than Hammons? He has a 3, but only somewhat serviceable, and you could have much better defense with Hammons. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I would just like to see arguably our best player better utilized.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I kind of just think your mvp from last year should get more minutes than 20 per game, and that he should play about 5 minutes at the 4. You do this when Swanigan is on the bench, so he will not be out there. Why is Swanigan able to space their offense that much more than Hammons? He has a 3, but only somewhat serviceable, and you could have much better defense with Hammons. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I would just like to see arguably our best player better utilized.

I understand what you're saying, and I think it's a fine line....but I think it's not only just the three-point threat, but his ability to see the floor and pass better than AJH. I'm not saying it wouldn't work with AJH either (I like the limited times I have seen the high/low with AJH and CS), but why mess with it right now. I don't think AJH can defend the 4 consistently without getting in foul trouble either. JMHO

If CMP thought it could work, we'd see it at some point.

It looks like it will be CS with either of AJH or I Haas or sometimes alone at the 5 with VE at the 4.

 

[lbodel]

I kind of just think your mvp from last year should get more minutes than 20 per game, and that he should play about 5 minutes at the 4. You do this when Swanigan is on the bench, so he will not be out there. Why is Swanigan able to space their offense that much more than Hammons? He has a 3, but only somewhat serviceable, and you could have much better defense with Hammons. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I would just like to see arguably our best player better utilized.

He will be getting more than 20 minutes a game. It's not even December yet. Against Florida for example (our toughest test), Hammons played more than Haas.

Don't use Lehigh, Incarnate Word, etc. as your measuring stick.

 

[CRBoiler]

I think getting all these minutes during this part of the season is great for Isaac (and the team), because it is allowing Isaac to get comfortable with his new, improved self against live competition.

Last year, once opposing teams got tougher or maybe it was just once we got into the grind of conference, there was a noticeable drop off when Isaac subbed in for AJ. Isaac's offseason work plus these extended early season minutes are setting the team up to have NO drop off. For 40 minutes each game we can have a skilled, productive, potential all-conference 7' footer on the floor. This is one of the game changers we have brought this year that is nudging us us toward the top 10, along with improved shooting, elite-level rebounding, better than expected point guard play...

I think coach is going to give more minutes to whichever center is performing best against each opponent, because his job is to lead the team to win games. If the better performing center is more often Isaac than AJ, then so be it. If it turns out that way, then we might lose Isaac along with AJ this year. I do think AJ is going to end up being the one getting more minutes against tougher teams, but we'll just have to see what happens.

 

[purdue4sure]

I think getting all these minutes during this part of the season is great for Isaac (and the team), because it is allowing Isaac to get comfortable with his new, improved self against live competition.

Last year, once opposing teams got tougher or maybe it was just once we got into the grind of conference, there was a noticeable drop off when Isaac subbed in for AJ. Isaac's offseason work plus these extended early season minutes are setting the team up to have NO drop off. For 40 minutes each game we can have a skilled, productive, potential all-conference 7' footer on the floor. This is one of the game changers we have brought this year that is nudging us us toward the top 10, along with improved shooting, elite-level rebounding, better than expected point guard play...

I think coach is going to give more minutes to whichever center is performing best against each opponent, because his job is to lead the team to win games. If the better performing center is more often Isaac than AJ, then so be it. If it turns out that way, then we might lose Isaac along with AJ this year. I do think AJ is going to end up being the one getting more minutes against tougher teams, but we'll just have to see what happens.

And imagine the nightmare this poses to opposing coaches trying to prepare for Purdue's center.

 

[SnowLeopard]

I'm just enjoying this singular season where we are seeing ultimate production from the center position. H&H giving 24/13/ 5 in 37 minutes.....thats production not seen since the 1980 FF season when overall No. 1 draft pick JBC was manning the spot.

Do you guys see us settling tactically where Haas plays more in the beginning to juice the offense and wear guys down, put us ahead on the board.

Then we see more of AJ in the second half for his D to secure the victory

Of course, there will be games where one guy just gets into a zone and you leave him in there.

 

[CRBoiler]

Looking at these two, what is separating them most is Isaac's offense. AJ's defense is better than Isaac's, but not as much better as last year. AJ is well known as a shot blocker, but Isaac is improved. AJ's a bit better passer to my eyes, but he also commits more turnovers. And we must give AJ credit for being very good offensively, just not as good as Isaac so far.

We'll see if Isaac can sustain his offensive effectiveness. If he can against stronger competition, then he might start and get more minutes all season. No smart coach will have a guy performing like that on the bench any more than he must. I hope what happens is AJ starts doing even better, and Isaac keeps on rockin', and then the two of them split minutes almost 50-50. I want each of them to do well and feel good about how the other is doing. So far so good.