I'm most impressed by...

[topurdue2]

how many of the players have improved, and matured. I know everybody is a year older, but unlike players who play for the team down south, you can see our guys getting better. If it continues throughout this year, then we could be scary good going into the tournament..

What impresses you most about this team?

 

[PaBoiler78]

how many of the players have improved, and matured. I know everybody is a year older, but unlike players who play for the team down south, you can see our guys getting better. If it continues throughout this year, then we could be scary good going into the tournament..

What are you most impresses you most about this team?

Haas by far, then PJ, and Edwards being consistent.

 

[boilerjrut3]

Haas in every aspect. Confidence offensively is as high as it's ever been. Great position and great touch on shots. Free throws look great! Better shot blocker as well.

P.J. is on quite a run protecting the ball. Nearly automatic free throw shooter that is knocking down open threes.

Vince's ability to continue to do it all without anyone noticing. He could easily score 20 a night but plays the team game and never complains.

AJ and his acceptance of his role. No complaining and performs well in less time.

 

[mathboy]

Leigh was lucky our 3-pt shots were not falling. Otherwise they might not have seen that train coming. It was bad enough that we mauled them in the paint.

 

[Professor Emeritus]

how many of the players have improved, and matured. I know everybody is a year older, but unlike players who play for the team down south, you can see our guys getting better. If it continues throughout this year, then we could be scary good going into the tournament..

What are you most impresses you most about this team?

I'm most impressed by how tightly-knit this team seems to be. I know it's difficult to judge from afar, but their body language, demeanor toward one another, and togetherness on the floor suggests that they not only enjoy playing basketball with each other, they enjoy being with each other.

Nobody seems to care about touches/shots, who is the leading scorer, minutes, etc. Nobody bickers with another or points fingers. Did you see Hammons, all-Big Ten conference player, in during garbage time tonight? He subbed in for Haas and gave him a big embrace and was laughing and joking with him afterward. There could be a lot of friction about minutes, starting, etc., but it's exactly the opposite. Perhaps I'm reading too much into such things, but I think they matter.

The attitude is reminiscent of the Moore/JJ/Hummel teams and stems directly from Davis's leadership and the respect he commands. Davis's contribution to this program is invaluable.

This team is a team and the objective is winning - nothing else. I'm confident that such togetherness will pay large dividends.

 

[proudopete]

I'm most impressed by how tightly-knit this team seems to be. I know it's difficult to judge from afar, but their body language, demeanor toward one another, and togetherness on the floor suggests that they not only enjoy playing basketball with each other, they enjoy being with each other.

Nobody seems to care about touches/shots, who is the leading scorer, minutes, etc. Nobody bickers with another or points fingers. Did you see Hammons, all-Big Ten conference player, in during garbage time tonight? He subbed in for Haas and gave him a big embrace and was laughing and joking with him afterward. There could be a lot of friction about minutes, starting, etc., but it's exactly the opposite. Perhaps I'm reading too much into such things, but I think they matter.

The attitude is reminiscent of the Moore/JJ/Hummel teams and stems directly from Davis's leadership and the respect he commands. Davis's contribution to this program is invaluable.

This team is a team and the objective is winning - nothing else. I'm confident that such togetherness will pay large dividends.

I agree with this.
This team seems very mature and doesnt get rattled when things aren't clicking. They remain focused on defense and find ways to score.

A game like tonight will be tough to win against good competition. But somehow I think this team will find a way. They just seem to be on the same page always.

 

[urbanhack]

Balance
Balance
Balance

it's the key to life and this team exudes it more than any team I can ever remember.

 

[BoilerNGold013]

I was in the lower bowl behind the band tonight. Got a front row view of Haas guarding his man during the second half. I still cannot believe how much his athleticism and vertical movement has improved this year. The Lehigh player would constantly face Isaac up but each time, Isaac moved his feet and never fouled. Guy only scored one bucket on him in the second half which was a tough fade-a-way. Last year, Haas probably fouls out of a game like this with 14:00 left in the second half. Instead he scored 20+ and completely dominates the second half whenever he is in the game!

I was in the camp of "We are a better team with AJ at the 5" but after tonight idk. Isaac is learning to play some damn good defense and his offense is a force of freaking nature!!

Also want to give a shout out to PJ. He was the guy who kept us out ahead in the 1st half. Clutch at the foul line. He is really starting to look like a floor general out there. Also, he is starting to become automatic when left open from 3.

Shots didn't fall tonight and the team seemed a bit off from a focus standpoint but I loved this win more than any of the others save for the FL game. We clearly were at a D to C- game on offense but used good defense and scrappiness to get the job done. Coupled with the force of nature that is Isaac Haas

 

[BoilerDaddy]

how many of the players have improved, and matured. I know everybody is a year older, but unlike players who play for the team down south, you can see our guys getting better. If it continues throughout this year, then we could be scary good going into the tournament..

What are you most impresses you most about this team?

The development of Isaac Haas and PJ Thompson is blowing me away this season. They may be at opposite extremes in terms of height, but in terms of offensive efficiency, they are similar in that they have both been off-the-charts good.

 

[lbodel]

The development of Isaac Haas and PJ Thompson is blowing me away this season. They may be at opposite extremes in terms of height, but in terms of offensive efficiency, they are similar in that they have both been off-the-charts good.

Agreed on PJ and Haas so far. It's not unheard of to see improvement in players, but they're almost like new players in some parts of their game.

I think it says a lot about their coaches, teammates and themselves.

Hope to see it continue as they face bigger and bigger tests.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

I was in the lower bowel behind the band tonight. Got a front row view of Haas guarding his man during the second half. I still cannot believe how much his athleticism and vertical movement has improved this year. The Lehigh player would constantly face Isaac up but each time, Isaac moved his feet and never fouled. Guy only scored one bucket on him in the second half which was a tough fade-a-way. Last year, Haas probably fouls out of a game like this with 14:00 left in the second half. Instead he scored 20+ and completely dominates the second half whenever he is in the game!

I was in the camp of "We are a better team with AJ at the 5" but after tonight idk. Isaac is learning to play some damn good defense and his offense is a force of freaking nature!!

Also want to give a shout out to PJ. He was the guy who kept us out ahead in the 1st half. Clutch at the foul line. He is really starting to look like a floor general out there. Also, he is starting to become automatic when left open from 3.

Shots didn't fall tonight and the team seemed a bit off from a focus standpoint but I loved this win more than any of the others save for the FL game. We clearly were at a D to C- game on offense but used good defense and scrappiness to get the job done. Coupled with the force of nature that is Isaac Haas

I would hate to spend any time in the lower bowel.

 

[TJBoiler]

I was in the lower bowl behind the band tonight. Got a front row view of Haas guarding his man during the second half. I still cannot believe how much his athleticism and vertical movement has improved this year. The Lehigh player would constantly face Isaac up but each time, Isaac moved his feet and never fouled. Guy only scored one bucket on him in the second half which was a tough fade-a-way. Last year, Haas probably fouls out of a game like this with 14:00 left in the second half. Instead he scored 20+ and completely dominates the second half whenever he is in the game!

I was in the camp of "We are a better team with AJ at the 5" but after tonight idk. Isaac is learning to play some damn good defense and his offense is a force of freaking nature!!

Also want to give a shout out to PJ. He was the guy who kept us out ahead in the 1st half. Clutch at the foul line. He is really starting to look like a floor general out there. Also, he is starting to become automatic when left open from 3.

Shots didn't fall tonight and the team seemed a bit off from a focus standpoint but I loved this win more than any of the others save for the FL game. We clearly were at a D to C- game on offense but used good defense and scrappiness to get the job done. Coupled with the force of nature that is Isaac Haas

Haas a couple weeks ago was interviewed on JMV's Indy radio show. I am sure fans noticed his lack of stamina late last year. Haas told JMV it was what he was most disappointed about last year. He said he lost 25 lbs over the summer and improved his conditioning. JMV loves having Haas on his show because as JMV says "Haas doesn't sugercoat it." Haas also credited AJ saying his shot blocking ability in practice forces him to improve his post play.

 

[pharoutengineer.]

As others have mentioned I've been impressed with team chemistry so far. AJ could easily be causing locker room issues right now. He came back for his senior season and now isn't even starting? But you still see him out there smiling and high fiving Haas. Also Hill came here for one last run and many had him already penciled in as the presumptive starter. But now PJ is emerging and started over him last night. Yet the quotes from him are about how happy he is for PJ and how he just wants to win. These kinds of attitudes are essential for a great team

On a side note I don't hear too much talk about Johnny Hill's ability to drive and finish at the basket. He did that about 5 times last night and hit every shot if memory serves. That is an element that we are lacking, so I am happy to see that coming from Hill. It will come in valuable over the course of the season.

 

[Dryfly88]

Depth, depth and depth. We have had better individual players in the past, but we have never had a team this deep with talent. Love watching them play.

As far as individual can't believe the difference in Isaac. He deserves a lot of credit for the work he has put in to improve his game!

 

[Dakota Girl]

how many of the players have improved, and matured. I know everybody is a year older, but unlike players who play for the team down south, you can see our guys getting better. If it continues throughout this year, then we could be scary good going into the tournament..

What are you most impresses you most about this team?

Tonight was about Haas. His post awareness and foot work were outstanding. At one point against the 2-3 zone he caught a mid post feed, felt the center defender shading to his inside, saw the upper wing defender dropping on him with the other upper sealing off the middle of the lane. He forward pivots away from the middle creating separation with the middle defenders and putting the dropping wing behind him all in very tight confines. He also kept ball at his chin through out the move which is key. Looks like an easy 10 foot turnaround jumper but is really a beautiful example of sophisticated post play. So far he is my most improved but there are several nipping at his heels for that honor. Let's not forget the team's willingness to do as coached at halftime and feed the beast in the middle.

 

[purdue4sure]

Agreed on PJ and Haas so far. It's not unheard of to see improvement in players, but they're almost like new players in some parts of their game.

I think it says a lot about their coaches, teammates and themselves.

Hope to see it continue as they face bigger and bigger tests.

As was pointed out in another thread, this will be an awesome junior class, especially when you include Smotherman.

Haas
Edwards
Smotherman
Mathias
Thompson

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I would hate to spend any time in the lower bowel.

Isn't that pretty much any time @ Ross-Ade the last few years?

 

[BoilerNGold013]

I would hate to spend any time in the lower bowel.

It can be funny to be the butt of a joke sometimes