MSU has a new coach that took over a very poorly created roster with 12 guards and 1 post. They have then had 3 season ending injuries to contributing players so are down to only 7 that contribute, and they are still literally running circles around us because they are playing hard and we are playing our patented stand around and watch game plan.
Sounds like MA Stevenson and Sophie Swanson are playing hard and hustling
That's encouraging. Hope Gearlds can keep them both in the fold. This season has been a big step backward, even from last year's First Four exit.
Chipped it back to down 5, with under 30 seconds left, but I think its too little too late.
At least Indiana's still on the plus side of .500. Of course, they also have more elite talent.
They didn't play an Out of Conference schedule that was way over their heads either. Neither team will finish over .500
Good post, both teams have guards that can’t shoot, players like Galloway and Terry are nice role/bench players, putting the ball in their hands most of the game isn’t a winning recipe. It absolutely goes to coaching/recruiting, pretty simple, if you can’t score you can’t win. I will say this though, IU men have 3 five star players in their starting lineup, Woodson might not make it past the year.
Purdue’s offense is horrible, often it’s just like this with Terry passing to a corner with someone launching and usually missing an outside shot. In todays game the one that controls the ball needs to be able to score, defenses sag and we see launches as the shot clock winds down, I’m glad most that play almost the entire game will be gone, time for new blood and hopefully a new offensive plan.
Are we talking about just this season or long term outlook of the two programs(next 3-4 years)?
I'd agree that whoever has the ball the most needs to be able to score, but more importantly, be able to create for others/Break defenses down. Teams sag off Terry some but it's not like they're below the free throw line while she's on the perimeter. I mentioned this in another post, but we need a PG who can consistently get in the lane and create open shots for others, while also being able to score here and there to keep the defense honest. Terry is a good passer but not someone who will take you off the dribble and create an open shot for someone. At least not consistently.
Gearlds doesn't have a 4.5 million dollar a year NIL war chest to use to buy players either. With the right slimeball coach IU will own the Big Ten.
The perception of the programs are in two different places I'd argue. One is building for the long haul and has stacked 2 of 3 very good classes(23, 25), while IU is in win now mode, buy portal players and recruit one or two five stars every year.
IU is far more likely to dump their failed alumnus experiment, we kept our last one 14+ years. Once IU changes and gets a competent bench coach that doesn't mind wading in the slime that is their NIL deals to buy players, IU will be at the top of the conference within a couple of years. In the women's game, the portal is not nearly as helpful to rebuilding a team immediately unless you have big name recognition like Kim Mulkey. And Purdue women's "modern offense" is a 20+ year old high school offense copied from Benton Central. With no past, no name recognition as a coach, no NIL funds to speak of, and 14 years of history of losing and declining program, KG really had no realistic alternative to building the team through long term recruiting. She dipped into the portal early to fill out the roster, but we see this year how low the ceiling is for those players. But as coaches and their ability to run games, develop players, and game plan for opponents; KG and MW are eerily similar to each other in their level of competence.
I haven't been as locked in to the team the last 2 years as I am this season, but player development is something I'm looking forward to next season. It would be pretty disappointing if players like Stevenson, Jones, and Swanson don't take a nice step in production on both ends next season.
Same offense the last 17 years, the biggest difference between Versyp and Gearlds to start was KG upped the tempo and have the shooters more freedom to shoot when open without having to run 20 seconds every possession. This year when we go half court we are back to running clock before shooting.
Also, statistically and to the eye test, Ellis, Madison, Terry, and Smith were better players their first year under Gearlds than they are in their third year under her. Caitlyn is about the same both years.
I was very encouraged by Sophie Swanson's play Wednesday night. She definitely has no fear. I love how quickly she can release the ball. And obviously she's pretty accurate with it too. I also loved when they started closing out on her she put it on the floor and took it to the hole. I can't wait to see her when her knee is 100%.
She was the Sun Times player of the year as a Jr, she can hope, hopefully she stays healthy. Maybe now since postseason is done we’ll see a few more minutes from returning players? I really don’t need to see Harper and Terry eat up 35 minutes a night.
