Injuries

[C'ville Boiler]

Illinois is up next and they have been nailed with the injury bug. Other teams on our schedule such as Howard, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Michigan State, IU and other teams across country have had key players hurt that have affected those teams in various ways.
It got me thinking two things. If we lost AJ for awhile, where would we end up in B1G race? Also, which player in starting lineup do you think we could have miss significant time and still be a contender for B1G Title?

 

[TC4THREE]

I think if we lost Hammons or Davis it would be really tough for us to stay at the same level. Losing anyone else would sting and create some issues but we would at least still have an opportunity to overcome those with our depth. I simply don't think we have people that can step up and do the same things that Hammons and Davis do right now.

 

[tjreese]

I think if we lost Hammons or Davis it would be really tough for us to stay at the same level. Losing anyone else would sting and create some issues but we would at least still have an opportunity to overcome those with our depth. I simply don't think we have people that can step up and do the same things that Hammons and Davis do right now.

Purdue would not stay at the same level...might still win against most, but would not be at the same level...mostly due to AJ at both ends and that is nto to take anything away from Davis

 

[boilerzz]

I think Purdue would finish one game worse if Davis were lost for the season. Players would adapt. Mathias and Stephens would step up and fill the void.

If Hammons was out, he would be harder to replace. Haas could replace some of his production but he's not ready to play 30+ minutes. As such, Biggle would have to play the post (which might be good for him) but there would be a domino effect of us being shorthanded at the four and three. At that point, we'd all regret not having Basil Smotherman available. I think we'd finish 2-3 games worse without Hammons.

 

[Bluegrass Boiler]

I think if we lost Hammons or Davis it would be really tough for us to stay at the same level. Losing anyone else would sting and create some issues but we would at least still have an opportunity to overcome those with our depth. I simply don't think we have people that can step up and do the same things that Hammons and Davis do right now.

Of course the competiton level wasn't the same as B1G in general, but we did already lose Hammons for two games (Vermont & Incarnate Word) and Davis for five games (Lehigh, Pitt, New Mexico, IUPUI, Howard), and all those were double-digit victories. Perhaps we don't dominate a B1G team without one or both, but this team is deep enough to beat anyone in the B1G, even without AJ or Rapheal on any given night. Now, let's all hope we don't have to ever test out that theory!

 

[lbodel]

My goodness, knock on wood thread.

 

[C'ville Boiler]

Lol I know. Just a lot key people down with teams ie Levert, Valentine, Blackmon, etc. It happens. Part of sports. Michigan State has been fine so far. Vandy and Illinois not so much. Jury still out on Michigan and IU. We were never the same after Hummel injury. This team is much deeper though. Just curious what you all thought

 

[TwinDegrees2]

Illinois is up next and they have been nailed with the injury bug. Other teams on our schedule such as Howard, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Michigan State, IU and other teams across country have had key players hurt that have affected those teams in various ways.
It got me thinking two things. If we lost AJ for awhile, where would we end up in B1G race? Also, which player in starting lineup do you think we could have miss significant time and still be a contender for B1G Title?

I actually think IU will be much better without Blackmon in the lineup. They have others that will play better defense which is a big plus for IU because James Jr. plays none. I think PU can stand losing AJ more than they can stand losing Davis or others....remember, AJ was suspended earlier in the year. Losing Haas would hurt because that would force AJ to play more minutes and knowing his record for getting early fouls.....

 

[proudopete]

It would kill us to lose AJ.

I think we could adjust to anyone else.

Losing AJ would be huge.

 

[pig1960]

Losing AJ would be DEVASTATING!!!!