Some quick thoughts and observations after Purdue's first official practice of the summer:
- The goal, from watching practice, and state by Matt Painter after practice, is to get Lance Jones up to speed on defensive assignments. It will be the priority for Purdue as they head into Purdue. They want to be able to play and to do that, defensive principles will have to be learned and unlearned. At one point in practice Painter stopped the group, explaining the responsibility in rotation to Jones to not crash too far down in the paint at one point. He told the guard that he understands why he wants to because he knows the coaches he played for, but instead, stay outside between the two perimeter players because those are his responsibilities.
- While this was the first official practice, the players had been together for a few days and playing some pick up with each other. Jones defense has already made an impression on Loyer and Smith.
- The players mostly played it cool about Zach Edey returning including in the moment. With Smith saying he expected it. Most players were at home when they heard the news. It doesn't appear that Painter was the first one alerted to the news, and the news was starting to spread amongst insiders before anything definitive was known.
- Fletcher Loyer is 175 lbs right now and has a goal to get to 185 lbs. His shoulders looked more filled out while he mentioned adding lower body strength was a big goal. Lots of work to be in the weight room for him while staying functional on the court.
- A lot of talk about the added athleticism with Jones, Heide, and Colvin to the team. Colvin is still in Colorado where he's down to the final 14 of a 12 man team. The team should make a decision on the final 12 by Friday.
- Mason Gillis talked with me for a few minutes about the team's expectations and his role as a leader going into his final season. Will work up an article shortly, but he's very clear the one thing he hasn't done is win a National Title and that's the goal for everyone.
- The goal, from watching practice, and state by Matt Painter after practice, is to get Lance Jones up to speed on defensive assignments. It will be the priority for Purdue as they head into Purdue. They want to be able to play and to do that, defensive principles will have to be learned and unlearned. At one point in practice Painter stopped the group, explaining the responsibility in rotation to Jones to not crash too far down in the paint at one point. He told the guard that he understands why he wants to because he knows the coaches he played for, but instead, stay outside between the two perimeter players because those are his responsibilities.
- While this was the first official practice, the players had been together for a few days and playing some pick up with each other. Jones defense has already made an impression on Loyer and Smith.
- The players mostly played it cool about Zach Edey returning including in the moment. With Smith saying he expected it. Most players were at home when they heard the news. It doesn't appear that Painter was the first one alerted to the news, and the news was starting to spread amongst insiders before anything definitive was known.
- Fletcher Loyer is 175 lbs right now and has a goal to get to 185 lbs. His shoulders looked more filled out while he mentioned adding lower body strength was a big goal. Lots of work to be in the weight room for him while staying functional on the court.
- A lot of talk about the added athleticism with Jones, Heide, and Colvin to the team. Colvin is still in Colorado where he's down to the final 14 of a 12 man team. The team should make a decision on the final 12 by Friday.
- Mason Gillis talked with me for a few minutes about the team's expectations and his role as a leader going into his final season. Will work up an article shortly, but he's very clear the one thing he hasn't done is win a National Title and that's the goal for everyone.
