Most Improved....

[PU52Chevy]

I know still early yet but who does everyone have for most improved?

I have to say it is between Mathias, Cline and Smotherman.......

I will say Cline....he has really worked on his body and added core muscle, his shot looks amazing and his defense and rebounding has improved.

Very impressed with that young man and excited to see him mature and grow his game for years to come.......

Boiler Up!

 

[Do Dah Day]

Cline because of some improvement in each phase of the game. Dakota is more consistent, but not necessarily dramatically better. Smotherman doesn't qualify due to no baseline from last year. And I don't think anyone else is in the running. I love how PJ is playing, and would not dispute those who want to nominate him, but he was pretty good last year.

 

[mathboy]

biggie, hands down. Transformed his body, and upped his game.

 

[Secrefreakintariat]

Smotherman is playing great...I love how when he comes in he doesn't hesitate to shoot if he's open. Just what we need from him. But yeah - Swanigan is by far the most improved in every aspect of the game.

 

[nagemj02]

Cline because of some improvement in each phase of the game. Dakota is more consistent, but not necessarily dramatically better. Smotherman doesn't qualify due to no baseline from last year. And I don't think anyone else is in the running. I love how PJ is playing, and would not dispute those who want to nominate him, but he was pretty good last year.

Smotherman is playing a little bit better on average than he was two seasons ago, so you can use that as a baseline. He still gets out of control at times (seems to get almost too excited after he makes a good play, which sometimes leads to a bad play) but he's rebounding better and seems more confident and composed overall.

 

[BoilerJS]

biggie, hands down. Transformed his body, and upped his game.

Agree with Mathboy. Biggie hands down. At least to this point in the season. Dakota is picking up where he ended last season. PJ is sooting the three pretty good as is Cline. Smotherman is a big suprise for me. Haas has improved also.

 

[nagemj02]

Agree with Mathboy. Biggie hands down. At least to this point in the season. Dakota is picking up where he ended last season. PJ is sooting the three pretty good as is Cline. Smotherman is a big suprise for me. Haas has improved also.

Swanigan still commits turnovers he shouldn't (usually from traveling or bringing the ball down and having it stolen) but he's definitely more active all around the court (blocks out better than anyone else on the team) and he's finishing more strongly around the basket (as well as getting to the line more often).

 

[nagemj02]

Agree with Mathboy. Biggie hands down. At least to this point in the season. Dakota is picking up where he ended last season. PJ is sooting the three pretty good as is Cline. Smotherman is a big suprise for me. Haas has improved also.

Everyone (sans Haas, who smartly abstains) is shooting the three pretty well so far. Carsen Edwards has the lowest 3PT percentage of the rotation guys and part of that is due to him starting out the season with poor shooting numbers and needing to get rid of his freshman nerves and accustomed to Purdue's system and the college game in general.

 

[ghost_of_d.]

1. Swanigan
1a. Cline

Nevermind the fact that Cline is shooting over 60% from the arc, I'm more impressed by his defensive improvement thus far. Mathias seems improved, but until he steps up in a game against good competition (1-6, 3 pts vs. 'Nova, 1-4, 5 pts vs. UL), he's not in the conversation.

 

[nagemj02]

1. Swanigan
1a. Cline

Nevermind the fact that Cline is shooting over 60% from the arc, I'm more impressed by his defensive improvement thus far. Mathias seems improved, but until he steps up in a game against good competition (1-6, 3 pts vs. 'Nova, 1-4, 5 pts vs. UL), he's not in the conversation.

You could say the same thing for Cline as well.

 

[ghost_of_d.]

Cline was one of the few bright spots against UL. His 2 threes late in the first half were the only reason we weren't down 33-13 at the half. His other 3 cut the deficit to 4 with ~2:00 left in the game.

 

[Mgkcbb]

Swanigan by a mile

 

[nagemj02]

Cline was one of the few bright spots against UL. His 2 threes late in the first half were the only reason we weren't down 33-13 at the half. His other 3 cut the deficit to 4 with ~2:00 left in the game.

That's fair but it's not like he took over the game, either. Cline might be a little more "clutch" than Mathias, but I'm not sure that he's the second most improved player so far. He's making most of his shots, which unquestionably makes him better in at least one capacity. It's probably between him and Smotherman, although I'll say that Thompson looks quicker as well (his shooting numbers are similar to his overall numbers last season).

 

[PU pit bull]

Well, we have votes for Cline (who you know I like as well), Mathias, Biggie, Smotherman..........not sure if anyone said PJ, but he's has to be mentioned................and CE has already improved from game 1 LOL. Looks like a whole mess of guys have improved. Keep that train a rollin'!!!!

 

[saratogashaw]

I will vote PJ - his unorthodox shot just goes in and he's been very good against the press in most cases. I think he's the one guy who gets a bit overlooked.

 

[BBG]

The entire team in one area or another and that includes the coaching staff.

 

[punaj]

Pretty sweet when you have a team where this topic can be a legitimate argument! Boiler up and enjoy this season... team seems to play better most every game.

 

[tjreese]

I know still early yet but who does everyone have for most improved?

I have to say it is between Mathias, Cline and Smotherman.......

I will say Cline....he has really worked on his body and added core muscle, his shot looks amazing and his defense and rebounding has improved.

Very impressed with that young man and excited to see him mature and grow his game for years to come.......

Boiler Up!

The coaches! many players are better this year than last and I understand nobody developed before. All this while only playing man D. actually a lot of season left before I know who improved the most when compared to my previous perceptions.

 

[rjmpu82]

Mathias with Biggie as very close second

 

[Bluegrass Boiler]

Beauty of this thread is there are so many valid candidates! What a tribute to the team and the coaching staff....

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

Mathias with Biggie as very close second

 

[PU pit bull]

Beautiful.