I am so excited about this upcoming season.

[big10best]

I hope I am not beating a dead horse, but I have a feeling that this team is going to make some serious noise. I think we are B1G contenders right now. (Even if the "experts" disagree.) We are large, got some good shooters, lots of experience, and a very deep bench. I can't wait. November will take forever to get here.

 

[CRBoiler]

Less than 2 months until the first (exhibition) game. BTFU!

 

[Boiler Buck]

I am too as are all Boiler fans, but at the same time it is very possible with a few new pieces, it takes awhile to get this team rolling. I fully expect an early season flop along the way. Doesn't mean we lose a game we shouldn't, but will have a close game(s) that should not be. It just takes Painter awhile to get things going with new guys. Perhaps this year will not be as bad as last as the new guys at least this year have been there since summer for the most part. But Painter will get em rollin' -- We have been waiting for this year!

 

[GodFamilyCountryPurdue]

I am too as are all Boiler fans, but at the same time it is very possible with a few new pieces, it takes awhile to get this team rolling. I fully expect an early season flop along the way. Doesn't mean we lose a game we shouldn't, but will have a close game(s) that should not be. It just takes Painter awhile to get things going with new guys. Perhaps this year will not be as bad as last as the new guys at least this year have been there since summer for the most part. But Painter will get em rollin' -- We have been waiting for this year!

I don't see that happening. The only new pieces are a 5th year senior and a burger boy who everyone on the team says is already acting like a pro. Add those 2 to 2 senior captains and sophomores that are very seasoned. I don't see us having many let downs like last year. Painter learned his lesson last year to play your best players in EVERY game. I'm pretty excited, too!

 

[Ryneforpresident]

Btfu, this should be a fun year. Playing these other teams with our frontline should prove satisfying.

 

[tjreese]

I don't see that happening. The only new pieces are a 5th year senior and a burger boy who everyone on the team says is already acting like a pro. Add those 2 to 2 senior captains and sophomores that are very seasoned. I don't see us having many let downs like last year. Painter learned his lesson last year to play your best players in EVERY game. I'm pretty excited, too!

There were a lot of new faces last year and that was a major reason for the poor start and another reason was playing a "bad" zone. That said a coach still has to let players determine their playing time. I expect Matt to play a lot of bodies preBig and then cut it down to 8 with major minutes. How do you decide too quickly Taylor's role, Cline's role, Grant's role... PJ and Hill? Teh ideal is to win with players competing everyday in practice thinking "they" are on the edge of getting more playing time...all with fresh legs and to peak at tourney time not in January...but you have to WIN the other games with all teh players.

 

[Matt18Jones]

Hammons
Swanigan
Edwards
Ray Day
Hill

Haas
Jacquil
Stephens
Mathias
Thompson

Utility - Smotherman
Shooter - Cline
Defensive stopper - Weatherford

 

[GodFamilyCountryPurdue]

There were a lot of new faces last year and that was a major reason for the poor start and another reason was playing a "bad" zone. That said a coach still has to let players determine their playing time. I expect Matt to play a lot of bodies preBig and then cut it down to 8 with major minutes. How do you decide too quickly Taylor's role, Cline's role, Grant's role... PJ and Hill? Teh ideal is to win with players competing everyday in practice thinking "they" are on the edge of getting more playing time...all with fresh legs and to peak at tourney time not in January...but you have to WIN the other games with all teh players.

Painter admits that he didn't play Octeus and Davis enough during preconference. That's why we lost some games we shouldn't have. That's why we were a bubble team. He won't make the same mistake. At least I hope he won't.

 

[Schnelk]

I'm pumped too. B-ball season can't get here soon enough! I won't be at Ross-Ade today but every time I do tailgate I try to go to Mackey just to walk through (and hopefully catch some of the team on the floor). And now that the beer garden is open next door there's even more reason to go for that walk! BTFU!

 

[thenagemj02]

Hammons
Swanigan
Edwards
Ray Day
Hill

Haas
Jacquil
Stephens
Mathias
Thompson

Utility - Smotherman
Shooter - Cline
Defensive stopper - Weatherford

That's the way I see the depth chart being most of the season as well, although I could also picture Mathias or Stephens playing more starter-type minutes at the 2 than Davis.

 

[Schnelk]

I like that starting line up too but still hold out for Mathias to become an effective PG eventually. I've read all the arguments that he will never make it but he does have several positives going for him there...but for now I think we are good with Hill, Thompson and Edwards next year.

 

[Summy1]

Purdue is a deep team. It will be interesting to see if Painter goes with a certain rotation during the season. Last year he admitted that not playing as much guys was better. I too am very excited about the upcoming season. Should be fun.

 

[tjreese]

Painter admits that he didn't play Octeus and Davis enough during preconference. That's why we lost some games we shouldn't have. That's why we were a bubble team. He won't make the same mistake. At least I hope he won't.

not sure you understood what I was saying. this team will not have as many new faces that must play and so it will be quicker. However, a coach must allow enough competition that not only he knows, but the players know as well. I don't think ANY coach wants to peak out in December. Every coach wants to win, but he wants his players to be getting better in the process. Ideally, the team continues to win, but the players continue to fight to win. If possible every coach would like to make it as hard as possible to win, but win...keeping players improving, hungry and focused...not peaked out. I doubt Matt plays the same minutes in November as in March for all involved.

shortening the rotation helped Purdue, but so did getting rid of the way they played zone...even as simple as how they defended the trigger man which cost them (well was very costly anyhow) the Northern Florida game on the out of bounds play