Purdue looking good for next year and beyond...

[PU52Chevy]

PG- PJ, Boogie, Eastern and Luce
SG- Dakota, Cline, Sasha
SF- V. Edwards, Wheeler, Eifert
PF- Taylor, Ewing
C- Haas and Haarms

*Note: Add Biggie to PF or C (although I think he moves on to NBA) but either way if he leaves we are still stacked with talent.

*Note: Love the depth on this team and interchangeable pieces...our SF can play PF and our PF can play C.......love it!

2018 class will need to be bigtime............

Just think of all the experience the team will get this summer and the exposure it will have for some of the players who will be playing overseas someday or possibly NBA.

Boiler Up and great job Coach Painter and staff on recruiting some fine young men to represent Purdue for life!

 

[smalltownIL]

I think you're significantly excessive in your optimism for Taylor. I will be very surprised (pleased but surprised) if he manages to stay healthy enough to play a full season, much less be a major contributor. Not knocking him at all as the talent seems to be there but he's apparently related to Job health-wise. No Biggie means Vince at the 4.

 

[PU52Chevy]

I think you're significantly excessive in your optimism for Taylor. I will be very surprised (pleased but surprised) if he manages to stay healthy enough to play a full season, much less be a major contributor. Not knocking him at all as the talent seems to be there but he's apparently related to Job health-wise. No Biggie means Vince at the 4.

Taylor will shock you all and be a bigtime contributor with or without Biggie back and yes I am a homer and a positive person for this young man and been driving the bandwagon for some time because I see his potential.

You all will too and I hope you enjoy his effort and passion to be a Boilermaker.

V. Edwards will play some 4 spot but for him to show his value he needs to play the 3 and play it well to get the next level interested.

 

[Wolegib]

You make a very good point about V. Edwards. To prove his worth to NBA scouts, he is going to want to prove his skills as a SF rather than PF. That's clearly his NBA future. That's also why he came back. And I believe Painter is going to give him the opportunity to do prove himself and showcase his talents.

The question will come , if biggies leaves, what's best for the team verses what's best for Vince? and what path will Vince follow? many people assume Vince will slide back to PF if biggie leaves and Mathias or Eastern will slide over and play some SF. I personally believe Vince will remain and play more at SF and we will see Ewing and Taylor and Wheeler receive more minutes and we will see Mathias, PJ, Eastern and C Edwards fighting for minutes in a crowded backcourt with Cline as an afterthought.

Think about it. Vince didn't come back to Purdue to play power forward. He came back to improve and showcase his small forward skills. He may play some power forward in certain situations, but his majority of minutes will be spent proving he's better than or as good as Miles.

If biggie leaves, I personally believe the make-up of our roster will be different than many believe. Rather than seeing Eastern getting significant minutes at PG/SG/SF, we may see Wheeler emerging as our new starting PF by season's end with Vince remaining at SF. it could be interesting watching Wheeler against JJJ.

I'm also all for a C Edwards / Eastern backcourt. I think we will see glimpses of it next year. but if we don't, in this day of player transfer , especially with all the 2018 guard targets Painter has, I believe one will leave to find a place where they can play 25-30 minutes a game rather than to continue sharing time in a crowded backcourt.

it's one thing to have talented players. But talented players want playing time.

 

[rgarlitz]

Purdue will have a very good roster with Vincent Edwards and Haas both returning.

IMO, it will be a fringe top-25 team in October. Most people will assume some level of dropoff without Biggie, but people who really know college basketball will give this senior class their share of credit.

This team could be better than fringe top-25 by February 2018. There are some exciting pieces here.

 

[Broncos18]

You guys will be a very good team in the Big Ten....However come March when you have to play superior, athletic teams that's when the difference will show drastically. I just don't see this team being Final Four caliber with or without Swanigan. Not enough thoroughbreds.

 

[zachlb33]

You guys will be a very good team in the Big Ten....However come March when you have to play superior, athletic teams that's when the difference will show drastically. I just don't see this team being Final Four caliber with or without Swanigan. Not enough thoroughbreds.

K

 

[WabashRiver]

Prior to Durant, did Golden State have a single "thoroughbred"?

 

[Wolegib]

Prior to Durant, did Golden State have a single "thoroughbred"?

They had Nate Thurmond !!! Chris Mullins. Bogut was an overall #1 pick. Not to forget joe Fulks. Jamaal Wilkes. Bernard king.

how soon people forget Rick Barry, Bob Lanier, Wilt Chamberlain.

Does the name joe barry Carrol ring any bells?

How about Robert parrish or jerry Lucas ?

Marcialonis ?

 

[northside100]

You make a very good point about V. Edwards. To prove his worth to NBA scouts, he is going to want to prove his skills as a SF rather than PF. That's clearly his NBA future. That's also why he came back. And I believe Painter is going to give him the opportunity to do prove himself and showcase his talents.

The question will come , if biggies leaves, what's best for the team verses what's best for Vince? and what path will Vince follow? many people assume Vince will slide back to PF if biggie leaves and Mathias or Eastern will slide over and play some SF. I personally believe Vince will remain and play more at SF and we will see Ewing and Taylor and Wheeler receive more minutes and we will see Mathias, PJ, Eastern and C Edwards fighting for minutes in a crowded backcourt with Cline as an afterthought.

Think about it. Vince didn't come back to Purdue to play power forward. He came back to improve and showcase his small forward skills. He may play some power forward in certain situations, but his majority of minutes will be spent proving he's better than or as good as Miles.

If biggie leaves, I personally believe the make-up of our roster will be different than many believe. Rather than seeing Eastern getting significant minutes at PG/SG/SF, we may see Wheeler emerging as our new starting PF by season's end with Vince remaining at SF. it could be interesting watching Wheeler against JJJ.

I'm also all for a C Edwards / Eastern backcourt. I think we will see glimpses of it next year. but if we don't, in this day of player transfer , especially with all the 2018 guard targets Painter has, I believe one will leave to find a place where they can play 25-30 minutes a game rather than to continue sharing time in a crowded backcourt.

it's one thing to have talented players. But talented players want playing time.

Barring injury there is almost no chance of seeing anyone new to the roster start at any point next year. Play a significant role? Yes. Start? No way

 

[gelesen]

Purdue will have a very good roster with Vincent Edwards and Haas both returning.

IMO, it will be a fringe top-25 team in October. Most people will assume some level of dropoff without Biggie, but people who really know college basketball will give this senior class their share of credit.

This team could be better than fringe top-25 by February 2018. There are some exciting pieces here.

Not sure why people think we would be a fringe top 25 team to start, when we are a sweet 16 team, defending B1G champs returning 4 starting seniors along with other good returnees and recruiting class. Another team with that resume is definitely top 25. Let's not talk ourselves down. Heck, IU probably is promoting themselves as a top 10 team.

 

[WabashRiver]

24.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 4.1 blocks, 3.2 turnovers, 59.2% fg

22.7 points, 15.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 blocks, 4.1 turnovers, 52.7% fg

Those are the per 40 minute stats of Hammons and Swanigan in their final year, respectively. Purdue improved after losing Hammons. Returning 6 of their top 7 and a few new players with potential to have the same impact level as Carsen Edwards did, Purdue can be better without Swanigan.

 

[Wolegib]

That comparison begs the question. Do you envision Purdue having a star player next year that will be the go to player and average 20+ ppg? And if so, who will that new alpha dog be? Will V Edwards be the man? Will we feed Haas the ball 30 times a game, and let him shoot or pass much like Bogut did in college? Will CEdwards make a giant leap and take over? Will Mathias shoot more? Or will Purdue become a more balanced team with about 7 guys averaging 8-12 ppg?

I personally envision Eastern using his limited mins and scoring 8-10 ppg. I also see With all the current talent, Purdue becoming more like U.K with no player averaging over 15 ppg.

 

[WabashRiver]

Vince and Haas both have the ability to score 20+ points. In 3 of the last 5 games, all against NCAA tournament teams, Vince scored 21+ points at an efficient 60%+ field goals. Potentially the only difference in the starting lineup is Haas instead of Biggie. That doesn't require the roles to change much at all.

 

[buffboiler]

Eastern and Boogie will open up with penetration, Cline, Vince and Mathias bombing from flanks, clean up the misses by platoon of Ewing, Wheeler, and Taylor, picking fights by Haarms while Haas having his dunkfest..

Oh Yesh, bring them on! Baby!!

Boiler up!

 

[Roeder]

PG- PJ, Boogie, Eastern and Luce
SG- Dakota, Cline, Sasha
SF- V. Edwards, Wheeler, Eifert
PF- Taylor, Ewing
C- Haas and Haarms

*Note: Add Biggie to PF or C (although I think he moves on to NBA) but either way if he leaves we are still stacked with talent.

*Note: Love the depth on this team and interchangeable pieces...our SF can play PF and our PF can play C.......love it!

2018 class will need to be bigtime............

Just think of all the experience the team will get this summer and the exposure it will have for some of the players who will be playing overseas someday or possibly NBA.

Boiler Up and great job Coach Painter and staff on recruiting some fine young men to represent Purdue for life!

Love the post and agree this roster has some great pieces. This program is in good position to keep rolling, despite losing a player like Biggie.

As for next year, for Purdue to be there best as a team, I think VE needs to get most of his minutes at the 4.

This will open up more minutes on the wing for CE, Cine, Eastern, and Wheeler to get on the court.

The group mentioned above seems much more likely to make an impact than what the group of Haarms, Taylor, and Ewing could bring at the 4 exclusively.

If Biggie and Haas didn't work out on court together most if the time, I'm not very encouraged Taylor and Haas will be much better.

Wheeler is a huge wild card too. You could play him and Vince together at 3/4 and get away with it since they are both versatile.

Should be fun to see how it plays out.

 

[Boiler Buck]

2018 class will need to be bigtime............

I agree, we do NOT look good if the 2018 class is not BIGTIME.

 

[BoiledSteel]

As for next year, for Purdue to be there best as a team, I think VE needs to get most of his minutes at the 4.

Which more than likely is not going to happen. VE's NBA future hinges on him playing the 3 and I believe the feedback that was reported that he got suggested as much. If true, then I have little doubt he and CMP have already talked about it and if so, we'll see most of his minutes at the 3.

I am not sold JT will be able to contribute to the level some here think, but I base that solely on waiting to see him on the court and what he does with the opportunity and if he can stay healthy.

 

[Roeder]

Which more than likely is not going to happen. VE's NBA future hinges on him playing the 3 and I believe the feedback that was reported that he got suggested as much. If true, then I have little doubt he and CMP have already talked about it and if so, we'll see most of his minutes at the 3.

I am not sold JT will be able to contribute to the level some here think, but I base that solely on waiting to see him on the court and what he does with the opportunity and if he can stay healthy.

Very True, but Swanigan found himself playing the 5 a lot more at the end of last season because it was better for the team. I don't think it will be different this year for Vince.

At the end of the day Vince playing the 3 in the NBA will be determined by how much he improves his lateral quickness, explosiveness, ball handling under pressure, quicker shot release, finishing at rim, etc. NBA scouts will see those improvements at whatever position VE is playing next year.

 

[PU52Chevy]

Very True, but Swanigan found himself playing the 5 a lot more at the end of last season because it was better for the team. I don't think it will be different this year for Vince.

At the end of the day Vince playing the 3 in the NBA will be determined by how much he improves his lateral quickness, explosiveness, ball handling under pressure, quicker shot release, finishing at rim, etc. NBA scouts will see those improvements at whatever position VE is playing next year.

Yep I agree......team first.

Painter will take note of what the NBA people want to see V. Edwards improve on and work that into the system if possible.

Remember V. Edwards being drafted by the NBA will also help Purdue as a team, much like Biggie and Haas will (TBD).

All good stuff.....but yes team first and Purdue family, then the rest.....

Boiler Up!