Lance has been awesome. It’s humorous and also ironic that Lance was not Painter’s first or second choice or even 5th choice as a transfer. All those other guys who were higher ranked and Painter tried to recruit turned us down and went elsewhere. Lance was not even the position Painter was searching for. Painter was originally looking to add another point guard or a 3 that had a perimeter game. Painter tried recruiting Lance’s teammate at Siu who ended up at Illinois. Lance was a shooting guard known for his defense and who could handle the ball.
As it turns out, that’s what Lance is for Purdue. He’s a shooting guard who plays good defense and can handle the ball. And that’s basically what this team needed.
Lance follows the tradition of Carsen Edwards and Edey that we were very lucky those players Painter first targeted turned us down and Painter was forced to sign his second and third choice. Pack may have been good, but Lance is so much better. Dickinson may have been good but Edey is so much better. One of Painter’s best qualities is he has an eye for talent and unlike so many other coaches, he can develop that talent! So many other coaches make zero effort to develop their players. Look at Ivie before and after. Look at Haas and Tre and Swanigan look at cline and Mathias. Look at that 4 that I hated whose name escapes me (Grady ?) who was a walkon.
Lance has proven he was worth waiting for and being passed over. All those other guys are regretting they passed on the opportunity to play for us. Lance may end up even getting drafted or turning pro. But I think what he really wants is to win a championship!
