Trying to look past the lazy "it's a bunch of tall white guys" roster comparison to Wisconsin, but I do think there will be some similarities between Painter's roster and some of Wisconsin's Big Ten championship teams under Bo.
Wisconsin's core group in 2013-2014 (guys averaging 20+ min/game): Frank Kaminsky, Ben Brust, Sam Dekker, Traevon Jackson, Josh Gasser. 2014-2015 team had the same core group except subtract Brust and add Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes.
Brust 6-1 PG/SG who shot nearly 40% from 3
Dekker 6-8 forward who is sort of a better version of Hummel. Wasn't a great 3P shooter, but had guard-like skill.
Kaminsky is perhaps Wisconsin's best player ever. 7 footer who could hit 41% of his 3s during senior year run to NC game
T Jackson 6-3 guard who started at PG. Bronson Koenig (6-4 combo guard) stole minutes from Jackson after an injury.
Josh Gasser 6-4 guard who shot over 40% 3pg for his career. Named B1G all defensive team soph-senior seasons.
Nigel Hayes 6-8 forward who ended up becoming a pretty deadly 3 point shooter himself.
What do these guys have in common with current/incoming Purdue players? Height/length, versatility, 3 point shooting, and lacking elite athleticism. Bo made it work to get 2 final four runs, including a trip to the NC game. Good shooting guards/wings that we have/will have on the roster: Stefanovich, Newman, Loyer, Heide. Maybe Braden Smith not quite the shooter, but should be respectable. Versatile bigs that may be able to step out to the arc: Furst, TKR. If we are fortunate enough to land Jalen Washington, he could play that Kaminsky type of role. Kebba Nibe may grow into a Nigel Hayes type, who knows.
Wisconsin's core group in 2013-2014 (guys averaging 20+ min/game): Frank Kaminsky, Ben Brust, Sam Dekker, Traevon Jackson, Josh Gasser. 2014-2015 team had the same core group except subtract Brust and add Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes.
Brust 6-1 PG/SG who shot nearly 40% from 3
Dekker 6-8 forward who is sort of a better version of Hummel. Wasn't a great 3P shooter, but had guard-like skill.
Kaminsky is perhaps Wisconsin's best player ever. 7 footer who could hit 41% of his 3s during senior year run to NC game
T Jackson 6-3 guard who started at PG. Bronson Koenig (6-4 combo guard) stole minutes from Jackson after an injury.
Josh Gasser 6-4 guard who shot over 40% 3pg for his career. Named B1G all defensive team soph-senior seasons.
Nigel Hayes 6-8 forward who ended up becoming a pretty deadly 3 point shooter himself.
What do these guys have in common with current/incoming Purdue players? Height/length, versatility, 3 point shooting, and lacking elite athleticism. Bo made it work to get 2 final four runs, including a trip to the NC game. Good shooting guards/wings that we have/will have on the roster: Stefanovich, Newman, Loyer, Heide. Maybe Braden Smith not quite the shooter, but should be respectable. Versatile bigs that may be able to step out to the arc: Furst, TKR. If we are fortunate enough to land Jalen Washington, he could play that Kaminsky type of role. Kebba Nibe may grow into a Nigel Hayes type, who knows.
