Some thoughts on Purdue's blowout of Serbia in the World University Games semifinals ...
• I know Carsen Edwards just had 36 in the last game, but Vincent Edwards has been Purdue's star during this trip. He was extraordinary tonight and borderline heroic the last time out against Israel. Not sure what more can be said. He's doing everything, the big stuff and the little stuff, and Purdue's going to put a lot on his plate this season. He is showing he is ready.
I've been pushing him as a first-team All-Big Ten guy this season. He's making me look smart. Or at least less dumb.
But the story of this event has been the ascension of Vincent Edwards.
• Great deal for Purdue to get to clear the bench at the end, to get Vincent Edwards and P.J. Thompson — wait, why is P.J. Thompson still in with two minutes left? — some rest and get some minutes for some of these young guys.
Purdue's tightened its rotation in these medal-round games and a big part of the value of this is getting work for some of these new guys. It might be garbage time but it's still time.
Get those guys out there, let them mess up, and go to work with them, because Purdue's going to need them this season, even if it doesn't need them right now.
• Dakota Mathias has always been a natural offensive basketball player. Last year he took a quantum leap as a defensive player. Now, I'm seeing the makings of a really effective rebounding guard. He's being physical, he's blocking out, he's going and getting the ball when it's there to be gotten and he's starting offense off those rebounds.
Why does this matter so much?
Because everyone — E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E. — has to rebound for Purdue this season. All of 'em.
• Last year, foul accumulation on opponents meant so much to Purdue. It can't replace Caleb Swanigan, but Carsen Edwards might be good for two or three bumps in the open floor per game, and that stuff adds up. Something to watch for.
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