last nights game...

[*4purdue*]

1) I was 100% wrong on Haarms. Kid is going to be a stud. Needs about 25 more lbs.

2) I don't understand CMP's man crush with Eifert. Way 2 many minutes for a walk on. We have studs, play them or it puts us at a disadvantage on offense. I know VE was in foul trouble, but we can go small & be good. 5 min. a game at the most for GE

3) Perimeter D needs to improve & turnovers need to go down.

This has the potential to be a top 10 team.

 

[valtore101]

1) I was 100% wrong on Haarms. Kid is going to be a stud. Needs about 25 more lbs.

2) I don't understand CMP's man crush with Eifert. Way 2 many minutes for a walk on. We have studs, play them or it puts us at a disadvantage on offense. I know VE was in foul trouble, but we can go small & be good. 5 min. a game at the most for GE

3) Perimeter D needs to improve & turnovers need to go down.

This has the potential to be a top 10 team.

These are all dumb.

Haarms weighs 250lbs. He does not need to weigh 275. He would be slow and ineffective.

Eifert game us good minutes and was good on D. The only other option is Ewing and he is a liability everywhere.

Perimeter D was actually good, they hit like 5 circus 3s with defenders draped on them.

 

[Hausta01]

So 11 turnovers in a game is too many? When we had 70+ possessions?

Eifert was a pleasant surprise least night, got himself open under the basket and drew a number of fouls. 24 minutes is too many for him to average but if he can play like he did last night it won't really hurt us as much. When it's Haas and 3 shooters Eifert doesn't hurt the offense much, especially if he can make an open jumper.

We had a hand in the face of almost every shot last night and our perimeter D needs improved? We can always get better but I was thoroughly impressed with the defense last night. Rousey and Howard took a number of shots that weren't good shots, they just went in.

And I know we haven't played a team that can bully anyone on the block but there are about 10 total post players in NCAA basketball that do play like that, Haarms is skinny but I don't think he NEEDS 25 more pounds. Who is he going to need more than 245 or 250 against?

It is interesting that we watched the same game and I disagree with all 3 of your takaways. Not saying you're wrong or I'm right, it's just interesting we can view things so differently.

 

[boilers08]

1) I was 100% wrong on Haarms. Kid is going to be a stud. Needs about 25 more lbs.

2) I don't understand CMP's man crush with Eifert. Way 2 many minutes for a walk on. We have studs, play them or it puts us at a disadvantage on offense. I know VE was in foul trouble, but we can go small & be good. 5 min. a game at the most for GE

3) Perimeter D needs to improve & turnovers need to go down.

This has the potential to be a top 10 team.

Honest question: did you watch the game or just look at the box score?

 

[PaBoiler78]

So 11 turnovers in a game is too many? When we had 70+ possessions?

Eifert was a pleasant surprise least night, got himself open under the basket and drew a number of fouls. 24 minutes is too many for him to average but if he can play like he did last night it won't really hurt us as much. When it's Haas and 3 shooters Eifert doesn't hurt the offense much, especially if he can make an open jumper.

We had a hand in the face of almost every shot last night and our perimeter D needs improved? We can always get better but I was thoroughly impressed with the defense last night. Rousey and Howard took a number of shots that weren't good shots, they just went in.

And I know we haven't played a team that can bully anyone on the block but there are about 10 total post players in NCAA basketball that do play like that, Haarms is skinny but I don't think he NEEDS 25 more pounds. Who is he going to need more than 245 or 250 against?

It is interesting that we watched the same game and I disagree with all 3 of your takaways. Not saying you're wrong or I'm right, it's just interesting we can view things so differently.

a) team stayed calm and answered every Mar. run
b) thought the spacing on O was really good l
c) 18-23 on FT's that's pretty good.

 

[BoilerBabyGirl]

1) I was 100% wrong on Haarms. Kid is going to be a stud. Needs about 25 more lbs.

2) I don't understand CMP's man crush with Eifert. Way 2 many minutes for a walk on. We have studs, play them or it puts us at a disadvantage on offense. I know VE was in foul trouble, but we can go small & be good. 5 min. a game at the most for GE

3) Perimeter D needs to improve & turnovers need to go down.

This has the potential to be a top 10 team.

Just stop posting guy. My complaints aren't popular around here but at least they're justified. You: question Haarms?? Question Grady?? Complain that we give up a bunch of 3s to the top 3 shooting team in the country??

 

[FirstDownB]

Who would you have given more minutes to rather than Eifert? Taylor and Eastern looked like they weren't quite ready for a big road game. The jury is out on Ewing, and Wheeler is red shirting because he isn't ready. Eifert was solid and he is obviously going to be a part of the rotation this year. We ought to jump for joy that the staff was able to get a guy like Grady as a walk-on who outplayed any scholarship front court player from Marquette.

 

[GemstateBoiler]

I was pretty stoked after the game (and not because of all the beers). We have a lot of weapons and showed more maturity than I can remember from past Purdue teams. Sure I have concerns but this team has a welcomed confidence and talent set. I have a similar confidence on this season. Time will tell but I'm expecting a great season. And I don't drink Kool-Aid. Just me.

 

[BoiledSteel]

Honest question: did you watch the game or just look at the box score?

Only thing he can do is find things to nitpick on. He does it every year and I highly doubt he watches many if any of the games and just uses the box score for his rants.

 

[bonefish1]

I have to agree with the OP. When you have Eastern, Taylor and Ewing on the bench and you decide to play a walk-on, it disappoints me that guys you’ve given scholies to aren’t getting those minutes.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

I have to agree with the OP. When you have Eastern, Taylor and Ewing on the bench and you decide to play a walk-on, it disappoints me that guys you’ve given scholies to aren’t getting those minutes.

As has been pointed out, Ewing is a liability in that you have a total boom or bust with him in the game. With Eifert, you know exactly what you are going to get and is likely not going to be negative plays.

 

[FirstDownB]

I have to agree with the OP. When you have Eastern, Taylor and Ewing on the bench and you decide to play a walk-on, it disappoints me that guys you’ve given scholies to aren’t getting those minutes.

Yet Eifert outplayed every scholarship front court player on Marquette, an NCAA tourney team, on their home court. Might be time to stop putting Grady in box.

We're talking about a backup to an All-conference player who is going to average 30 mpg. Eifert is a solid 8th man. Take a look sometime at the production of the 8th man on any D1 team. It isn't impressive.

 

[BoilerAndy]

Honest question: did you watch the game or just look at the box score?

You couldn't couldn't watch the game or just look at the boxscore and draw those conclusions. Too many turnovers?

 

[BoilerAndy]

I have to agree with the OP. When you have Eastern, Taylor and Ewing on the bench and you decide to play a walk-on, it disappoints me that guys you’ve given scholies to aren’t getting those minutes.

Are you suggesting that Eifert lose his spot on the team?

Again, these comments have to be made by someone who didn't watch the game or even look at the boxscore.

 

[TC4THREE]

I was really impressed with Eifert last night. First time we've really seen him play extended minutes with other starters and he looked like he belonged. Never going to take over a game but when he's playing with other good players he can be valuable as we saw last night. Play good defense, rebound, keep the offense moving, etc.

 

[boilers08]

You couldn't couldn't watch the game or just look at the boxscore and draw those conclusions. Too many turnovers?

Not exactly sure what you're saying, but a quick look at the box score could lead to the OP's conclusions:
- 11 turnovers---->okay, but could be better (most were in first half, I believe)
- Marquette shot 11-27 from perimeter---->perimeter D needs beefing up (but for those of us who watched, we know several were well-defended)
- Eifert got 24 minutes---->way too many minutes for a walk-on (8/4/2 was his stat line, which is solid enough, but he did so many other positive things as well)

 

[boilerzz]

I have to agree with the OP. When you have Eastern, Taylor and Ewing on the bench and you decide to play a walk-on, it disappoints me that guys you’ve given scholies to aren’t getting those minutes.

Eastern is a true freshman PG that you want to play PF. Taylor sat for a month and has only been practicing for a week. Ewing hasn't shown much yet but that's not uncommon for JUCOs, particularly when he arrived on campus so late.

 

[Do Dah Day]

I have to agree with the OP. When you have Eastern, Taylor and Ewing on the bench and you decide to play a walk-on, it disappoints me that guys you’ve given scholies to aren’t getting those minutes.

Why? what is wrong with a walk-on devoting years of his life to getting better and after those years, being better than first-year players. Why is it bad to have a great walk-on that will, absolutely will, win a game or two for us this year. Why is that bad?

 

[doubleyous]

for valtore101, who suggested Haarms would be "slow and ineffective" were he to add 25 lbs. to get to 275: BAD THING - you're a 5'9" Miss Universe contestant who goes from 125 to 150. GOOD THING - you're a 7'3" 250 lb. post player in the B10 who's gonna bang with the animals down low in the conference for the next 3 9/10 years.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

for valtore101, who suggested Haarms would be "slow and ineffective" were he to add 25 lbs. to get to 275: BAD THING - you're a 5'9" Miss Universe contestant who goes from 125 to 150. GOOD THING - you're a 7'3" 250 lb. post player in the B10 who's gonna bang with the animals down low in the conference for the next 3 9/10 years.

Bad thing if your entire upbringing was playing a stretch 4 in Europe at a very thin weight and coming to Purdue they suddenly want to pack on weight and make you bang inside all the time when your skill set is more vast.

Haarms needs to add some weight, yes, but probably not 25 pounds. JJ never bulked up a ton but most of that was simply his body type. At the time, CMP called it usable strength rather than just being big. Sure the staff could have packed weight on JJ to make him stiffer in the paint, but it would have taken his strengths away of being mobile and flexible to block shots...the same with Haarms. Don't take the strengths a kid has and change them just for the gain in a small area when proper defensive technique can be taught to account for that deficiency.

 

[NVBoilerFan]

for valtore101, who suggested Haarms would be "slow and ineffective" were he to add 25 lbs. to get to 275: BAD THING - you're a 5'9" Miss Universe contestant who goes from 125 to 150. GOOD THING - you're a 7'3" 250 lb. post player in the B10 who's gonna bang with the animals down low in the conference for the next 3 9/10 years.

In either case, if the 25 pounds is good weight, I'm all for it.

 

[doubleyous]

J.D.Boiler: Good points. One of the key questions remains whether or not Haarms will wind up playing more of the 5 or 4 down the road. At the 4, 250-260 will probably be optimum, as his Euro background would probably suggest. If Williams gets the big minutes at the 4, eventually, then packing on some more for the low post wont hurt. At 7'3", as opposed to JJ's 6'10", add'l lbs. get spread pretty thin over that frame.

 

[BoilerGal74]

I have to agree with the OP. When you have Eastern, Taylor and Ewing on the bench and you decide to play a walk-on, it disappoints me that guys you’ve given scholies to aren’t getting those minutes.

Question Bone, is it that Grady is a walk-on as opposed to scolly holder? Coach played Taylor and Eastern-both whom I really like-as well as Grady. Both Taylor and Eastern just weren't clicking. Sometimes you need someone on the floor who you know won't hurt you, and if Grady is anything he is old school Purdue. He knows his role and he knows how to do it. Thought he had a really nice game for what his role was. Glad he is a Boilermaker.

 

[rgarlitz]

I thought Eifert did pretty well last night (well, after the air balled free throw, anyway). Like somebody said above, he's in the mix to back up Vincent Edwards; we're not talking about a ton of minutes most nights. Maybe Jacquil Taylor and/or Aaron Wheeler are the long-term solutions there, but Grady was the guy who got the job done last night, and it's good to see that he can play real minutes when called upon.

The Haarms/Haas thing looks encouraging, especially since I still think Isaac will struggle to defend more athletic big men. It's nice to know that Haarms can play serious minutes when needed. His shot blocking ability and rebounding could be his most important contributions this year.

Carsen Edwards is going to be a special player, and when he occasionally does something crazy, I'm just going to have to tell myself that the guy needs to be himself to be his most effective.

One quick side note: PJ struck again, last night. Just before half-time, he forced a late turnover when Marquette could have tied the game. PJ has always had a knack for forcing timely turnovers and hitting timely 3s.

 

[mediaexpert]

I am wondering if any of you watched the game last night. I came here last night and read everyone saying Haarms is a beast. Now I read others doubting Eifert. Yesterday, I wrote that Eifert should not be in the rotation, but he was as solid as could be last night. Made some nice dives, pulled down many fine rebounds and played stout D. However, IMO Haarms should have played 10-15 minutes at the 4.

Did anybody watch Haas play like a 1st Team All American or was I the only one? I think there were what one maybe two opp drives when Haas was in there. Haas plays outstanding team D and while I know skeptics say he can't defend athletic centers, well their athletic center scored how many points? When Haas came out, I think we were up by 10. When he came back in we were up by only 4. He came out again when we were up by 11 and came back in when we were up by 2. Please note Haas did this against their starting center and when Haas left so did he. In the 2nd half, Haas really poured it on and their center got in foul trouble so they had to double Haas. When happened? Eiffer made two nice dive cuts and Haas also made a kick out that quickly found its way to Mathias for our first 3. I was surprised Haas did not have 12 boards, but he boxed his man out and we controlled the boards. Haas did seal off and then lost some boards to teammates who came in and grabbed them. Did anyone else see this?

 

[BoilerAndy]

Not exactly sure what you're saying, but a quick look at the box score could lead to the OP's conclusions:
- 11 turnovers---->okay, but could be better (most were in first half, I believe)
- Marquette shot 11-27 from perimeter---->perimeter D needs beefing up (but for those of us who watched, we know several were well-defended)
- Eifert got 24 minutes---->way too many minutes for a walk-on (8/4/2 was his stat line, which is solid enough, but he did so many other positive things as well)

You're agreeing with the OP and then disagreeing. I think even Matt Painter, who hates TOs, will be happy with 11 TOs/game. And yes, watching the game would tell you that most of those 3-point shots were well defended. Your comments about Eifert playing too many minutes but doing so many positive things baffles me. He was #5 on the team in scoring and rebounding, hit 100% of his FGs, 80% of his FTs, and had zero turnovers. And when you watched, he made very smart plays that were exactly what this team was trying to do.

So what's not to like? He wasn't a 4-star and isn't on scholarship? People questioned getting commitments from CE and Haarms. And they are questioning Eifert's playing time when he is obviously earning it.

 

[BoilerAndy]

I was surprised Haas did not have 12 boards, but he boxed his man out and we controlled the boards. Haas did seal off and then lost some boards to teammates who came in and grabbed them. Did anyone else see this?

I have watched him do this since his freshman year. He came to Purdue understanding how to box out and if he doesn't get it, his teammate does. For years I have yelled at my TV for Purdue's guys to box out, and Haas is the only one who consistently does it. The problem is that when he can't quite grab the rebound and his teammates aren't crashing the boards, it goes the other way.

 

[Emartin70287]

Yes, that's pretty much what I saw. I've been saying the same thing about Haas. He boxes out excellently and unselfishly that puts the team in the best position to rebound, and that means he doesn't always get that rebound. As far as Haarms go, it seems like he played as many minutes as he could have handled. I didn't see what happened, but Haarms appeared to be hurt just before half time. I guess it was nothing serious though.

 

[BoilerAndy]

Why? what is wrong with a walk-on devoting years of his life to getting better and after those years, being better than first-year players. Why is it bad to have a great walk-on that will, absolutely will, win a game or two for us this year. Why is that bad?

This. Saying that a walk-on shouldn't be playing ahead of scholarship players is like saying a freshman shouldn't be playing ahead of a senior.

Shouldn't the guys who are being the most productive get the playing time?

 

[njm8845]

I am wondering if any of you watched the game last night. I came here last night and read everyone saying Haarms is a beast. Now I read others doubting Eifert. Yesterday, I wrote that Eifert should not be in the rotation, but he was as solid as could be last night. Made some nice dives, pulled down many fine rebounds and played stout D. However, IMO Haarms should have played 10-15 minutes at the 4.

Did anybody watch Haas play like a 1st Team All American or was I the only one? I think there were what one maybe two opp drives when Haas was in there. Haas plays outstanding team D and while I know skeptics say he can't defend athletic centers, well their athletic center scored how many points? When Haas came out, I think we were up by 10. When he came back in we were up by only 4. He came out again when we were up by 11 and came back in when we were up by 2. Please note Haas did this against their starting center and when Haas left so did he. In the 2nd half, Haas really poured it on and their center got in foul trouble so they had to double Haas. When happened? Eiffer made two nice dive cuts and Haas also made a kick out that quickly found its way to Mathias for our first 3. I was surprised Haas did not have 12 boards, but he boxed his man out and we controlled the boards. Haas did seal off and then lost some boards to teammates who came in and grabbed them. Did anyone else see this?

1) I've been an outspoken supporter of Haas'. I said a few weeks ago that he may be the best player on the court more than any other Boiler. He certainly was last night. I was really impressed with his passing out of the double team.

2) I have no idea how anyone could come on here and complain about Eifert. He will contribute in the few minutes he plays a game. He's a good, smart bball player.

3) Carson is special. It's so fun watching him play. And exciting knowing that he will most likely be here all four years. I think he's next in the 2,000 point club.

 

[Boilermaker]

This. Saying that a walk-on shouldn't be playing ahead of scholarship players is like saying a freshman shouldn't be playing ahead of a senior.

Shouldn't the guys who are being the most productive get the playing time?

Or are peoples' complaints about a walk-on getting lots of minutes more a criticism of the scholarships that CMP is giving out? (a roundabout criticism of Painter's recruiting)

 

[Do Dah Day]

Or are peoples' complaints about a walk-on getting lots of minutes more a criticism of the scholarships that CMP is giving out? (a roundabout criticism of Painter's recruiting)

If so - then that is even "fill-in-the-blank"er than complaining about Eiffert being good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hausta01]

If Painter was any good we wouldn't have to play Eifert, we would have had JJJ. #FirePainter!!!!!

Really tho, if we had JJJ with this team we would be outstanding because we could pair him with Haas and Haarms since he has 3-point range. Damn...

 

[RFSNES]

I have to agree with the OP. When you have Eastern, Taylor and Ewing on the bench and you decide to play a walk-on, it disappoints me that guys you’ve given scholies to aren’t getting those minutes.

It disappoints me that the Scholies haven't beat out a walk-on.

 

[FirstDownB]

Or are peoples' complaints about a walk-on getting lots of minutes more a criticism of the scholarships that CMP is giving out? (a roundabout criticism of Painter's recruiting)

It takes a special kind of glass-completely-empty person to spin a solid performance in a 15 point road win into a recruiting failure. Painter recruited the entire team, not just Eifert. The players he recruited are doing rather well and are all either significant contributors to a very good team or they are young and developing. I look at this and say, wow look at what that former walk-on can do after a couple of years in the program, I can't wait to see these new guys in another year or two!

Experience matters.

 

[Do Dah Day]

It disappoints me that the Scholies haven't beat out a walk-on.

I'm speachless. How good does one need to be to be a walk-on? We don't just take anyone. He's had years of practice, years of physical training, years to learn the system. And you are disappointed that young men who just joined the team 5 months ago haven't caught-up with him? Do you think Grady would not have been starting for Valpo or Northern Illinois or some other pretty good D1 team? He bleeds black and gold, he has sacrificed for years, and become worthy. and you are disappointed?

 

[boilers08]

You're agreeing with the OP and then disagreeing. I think even Matt Painter, who hates TOs, will be happy with 11 TOs/game. And yes, watching the game would tell you that most of those 3-point shots were well defended. Your comments about Eifert playing too many minutes but doing so many positive things baffles me. He was #5 on the team in scoring and rebounding, hit 100% of his FGs, 80% of his FTs, and had zero turnovers. And when you watched, he made very smart plays that were exactly what this team was trying to do.

So what's not to like? He wasn't a 4-star and isn't on scholarship? People questioned getting commitments from CE and Haarms. And they are questioning Eifert's playing time when he is obviously earning it.

Not agreeing/disagreeing with the OP, you just misread my post, that's all. Obviously it wasn't clear. I was trying to show the conclusions the OP was drawing, followed by my thoughts in parentheses. E.g. the OP was looking at the box score, seeing 24 minutes for Eifert and thinking that's too many, while I'm saying not only do you need to look beyond the 24 minutes and the (not too shabby) 8/4/2, but there were also many other things that didn't/don't show up in the box score. But I wasn't clear on my first point about TOs and it all went to crap from there.

 

[BoilerAndy]

It disappoints me that the Scholies haven't beat out a walk-on.

I look at it this way: It thrills me that Painter was lucky enough to get a legacy walk-on who is good enough to play and impact the game.

I don't think it has happened since Jim Rowinski.

 

[BoilerAndy]

Not agreeing/disagreeing with the OP, you just misread my post, that's all. Obviously it wasn't clear. I was trying to show the conclusions the OP was drawing, followed by my thoughts in parentheses. E.g. the OP was looking at the box score, seeing 24 minutes for Eifert and thinking that's too many, while I'm saying not only do you need to look beyond the 24 minutes and the (not too shabby) 8/4/2, but there were also many other things that didn't/don't show up in the box score. But I wasn't clear on my first point about TOs and it all went to crap from there.

Ah, I see your point. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

[mathboy]

I'm speachless. How good does one need to be to be a walk-on? We don't just take anyone. He's had years of practice, years of physical training, years to learn the system. And you are disappointed that young men who just joined the team 5 months ago haven't caught-up with him? Do you think Grady would not have been starting for Valpo or Northern Illinois or some other pretty good D1 team? He bleeds black and gold, he has sacrificed for years, and become worthy. and you are disappointed?

Do Dah, you get it buddy!

Eifert is playing because he understands where he needs to be on every play. The other new guys on schollies will get it, eventually. Painter runs a sophisticated offense and a switching man-to-man defense. Every player on the floor needs to know what they are doing. Most of the newbies don't know where to be and what to do during the game. That is why Eifert is out there. Yes, he played better than any of the front court players for Marquette, and better than VE as well, not getting into foul trouble. He is just not the scorer VE is. Is that an issue on this team? Probably not since every other player around him can explode for 20 points a game (Haas, Mathias, C-Boogie, PJ). .

Draw backs of Eifert? Yes there are some. He is not as athletic as some of the freshmen/JUCo boys. So what? Good athletes do not always equate to good basketball players. Do we need another player who can create his own shot? Sure, but he still needs to know where to be for this team to win. Eifert does know, but Wheeler and Ewing don't. Give them half a year more and they probably will know exactly where they need to be. They are very green at this point. They need practice time and conditioning before they can step into the role Painter will require of them. I will bet that next year either Wheeler or Ewing step into Vince's role without a break in stride.