Purdue's projected starting lineup and rotation

[die hard gopher]

So I am trying to get a feel for what the other Big Ten teams lineups will look like. Am I right in saying it will look something like the following?

PG: Edwards, Thompson
SG: Mathias, Stefonovich
SF: Eastern, Cline/Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Ewing
C: Haas, Haarms

To me, that is definitely a top 25 team, maybe 16-20. I like them behind Minnesota but with Northwestern as the 2nd or 3rd best team in the conference and ahead of MSU. IMO, MSU is really getting overrated. Ward is a nice player and Jarrett Jackson is a good recruit and they have some nice front court depth but McQuaid, Nairn, Winston and Langford don't have the proven production to justify them being ahead of Northwestern, Minnesota and Purdue with the players that those teams have coming back.

 

[Ben Shadeland]

Your rotation looks good.

I suspect a) Thompson will start at PG, b) Cline will get the bulk of his minutes at the 2 (though that's mostly a quibble), and c) Edwards will be on the floor at the 1 and 2 (though whether he or Cline starts will be interesting--my money's on Carsen because we need a creator/scorer in one of the starting guard slots, particularly with Biggie gone).

I like your optimism. I, too, think we can be very good next year.

 

[Ben Shadeland]

I also think SS might redshirt. We'll see.

 

[proudopete]

So I am trying to get a feel for what the other Big Ten teams lineups will look like. Am I right in saying it will look something like the following?

PG: Edwards, Thompson
SG: Mathias, Stefonovich
SF: Eastern, Cline/Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Ewing/Smotherman
C: Haas, Haarms

To me, that is definitely a top 25 team, maybe 16-20. I like them behind Minnesota but with Northwestern as the 2nd or 3rd best team in the conference and ahead of MSU. IMO, MSU is really getting overrated. Ward is a nice player and Jarrett Jackson is a good recruit and they have some nice front court depth but McQuaid, Nairn, Winston and Langford don't have the proven production to justify them being ahead of Northwestern, Minnesota and Purdue with the players that those teams have coming back.

Smotherman is gone.

 

[buffboiler]

I would think Taylor can be put into 4/5, until told otherwise due to extended injuries.

 

[NVBoilerFan]

So I am trying to get a feel for what the other Big Ten teams lineups will look like. Am I right in saying it will look something like the following?

PG: Edwards, Thompson
SG: Mathias, Stefonovich
SF: Eastern, Cline/Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Ewing/Smotherman
C: Haas, Haarms

To me, that is definitely a top 25 team, maybe 16-20. I like them behind Minnesota but with Northwestern as the 2nd or 3rd best team in the conference and ahead of MSU. IMO, MSU is really getting overrated. Ward is a nice player and Jarrett Jackson is a good recruit and they have some nice front court depth but McQuaid, Nairn, Winston and Langford don't have the proven production to justify them being ahead of Northwestern, Minnesota and Purdue with the players that those teams have coming back.

PG: Thompson, Eastern
SG: CE, Cline
SF: Mathias, Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Haarms/Ewing
C: Haas, Taylor/Ewing

 

[boilerzz]

PG: Thompson, Eastern
SG: CE, Cline
SF: Mathias, Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Haarms/Ewing
C: Haas, Taylor/Ewing

This is correct but may flux depending on who we fill Biggie's scholarship with. Although, its possible that Wheeler redshirts and the SF minutes are consumed by Cline, Eastern and VE.

Wheeler has a high upside but is rail thin and will struggle to adjust defensively in his first year.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

PG: Thompson, Eastern
SG: CE, Cline
SF: Mathias, Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Haarms/Ewing
C: Haas, Taylor/Ewing

This.

 

[ChoiceBeef]

Starting role for Cline will be dependent on his offseason work to create his own shot and having a midrange shot as well. Painter will have some interesting options to play with off the bench.

 

[lylegolf72]

PG: PJ, CE
SG: CE, Eastern
SF: Mathias, Cline
PF: Edwards, Haarms
C: Haas, Ewing

 

[PU52Chevy]

PG: Thompson, Eastern
SG: CE, Cline (Sasha redshirts)
SF: Mathias, Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Haarms/Ewing
C: Haas, Taylor and Big to be signed later

Taylor is going to contribute next year and you all are going to love him and his energy.

Taylor, Ewing and Eastern will make a huge contributions for this team next year.

Haarms and Wheeler also make strides but in limited minutes......unless Vince Edwards goes Pro then they get more minutes and will be more impactful.

 

[Schnelk]

I agree with Choice about Cline. But I think he must get a lot stronger to make those finishing drives and pull ups happen. And I think we're gonna see that.

 

[PU pit bull]

PG: Thompson, Eastern
SG: CE, Cline (Sasha redshirts)
SF: Mathias, Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Haarms/Ewing
C: Haas, Taylor and Big to be signed later

Taylor is going to contribute next year and you all are going to love him and his energy.

Taylor, Ewing and Eastern will make a huge contributions for this team next year.

Haarms and Wheeler also make strides but in limited minutes......unless Vince Edwards goes Pro then they get more minutes and will be more impactful.

I've been a Taylor fan as long as you...........and I think he will definitely find his niche on this team. And nobody deserves a chance to show it more than this kid.

 

[takedownboiler]

No way Sasha does anything but redshirt. The minutes just aren't there.

 

[mryankee2397]

hopefully taylor will be healthy enough to give us meaningful minutes. so far he has been very fragile

 

[Dakota Girl]

This is correct but may flux depending on who we fill Biggie's scholarship with. Although, its possible that Wheeler redshirts and the SF minutes are consumed by Cline, Eastern and VE.

Wheeler has a high upside but is rail thin and will struggle to adjust defensively in his first year.

I wonder if younger and often thinner players are benefiting from the freedom of movement rules. I think wheeler will play and play well.
If I shirted someone it would be Sasha because of the glut of his type of player on the roster.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

PG: Thompson, Eastern
SG: CE, Cline (Sasha redshirts)
SF: Mathias, Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Haarms/Ewing
C: Haas, Taylor and Big to be signed later

Taylor is going to contribute next year and you all are going to love him and his energy.

Taylor, Ewing and Eastern will make a huge contributions for this team next year.

Haarms and Wheeler also make strides but in limited minutes......unless Vince Edwards goes Pro then they get more minutes and will be more impactful.

Highly doubt that it is just a coincidence that Ondigo is on a visit tomorrow when Biggie is making his announcement. My guess is that will determine if Ondigo gets an offer or not. That offer may in fact be conditional with the five star player (name escapes me right now) throwing Purdue in his final mix.

If I was guessing, I would think if Biggie is gone...CMP is on the phone immediately with the five star player to get him on campus ASAP. If he makes mention he had legit interest, the offer to Ondigo is conditional after that visit. If the five star player says he is either going to wait even longer or has no real interest, I think the offer goes to Ondigo to get him on campus.

Either way, I like the situation CMP has put himself and the program in. In the odd chance Biggie comes back because he feels he has work still to do, then you have the best returning player in college basketball added to a better and fuller roster around him. If that's he case, Purdue immediately becomes a national title contender and probable top 8 team.

My guess: 99.99% sure Biggie is gone to the NBA with no agent considering Barnes is an agent.

 

[BoilerBiker]

PG: Thompson, Eastern
SG: CE, Cline
SF: Mathias, Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Haarms/Ewing
C: Haas, Taylor/Ewing

the great thing about this would also be our 1st and 2nd wave of substitutions... Could get closer to those elusive athletic lineups and provide a good change of pace while still in the early stages of the game

Eastern & Taylor as 1st subs

 

[lylegolf72]

I really think the interesting part of the rotation is the backcourt min distribution. I hope PJ and Mathias raise their games to a level that warrants their prescence on the court. The ceiling of CE is incredibly high so is it possible that he could leapfrog them? I would say yes but he has to do a better job getting the team involved and picking his spots similar to the progression VE has undergone. I'm interested to see CMP game plan to their strengths and how he integrates Eastern in with this team.

 

[daisyrail1619]

PG: Thompson, Eastern
SG: CE, Cline
SF: Mathias, Wheeler
PF: Edwards, Haarms/Ewing
C: Haas, Taylor/Ewing

This one seems the... so far. 1) We are not sure with Taylor yet, I guess he will be able to play next season or he leaves. And he already started strength training at the end of this season so I believe he will be threw to the front court, dude is a natural shot blocker, will be filling into the position that we longed for a while. 2) Painter is after Ondigo and he's visiting on Thursday, seems solid so far, 80% locked, unless Biggie says something crazy on that radio show this morning. So Ondigo will come off of the bench for Haas. Ewing is a 3/4, he cannot be a 5, too skinny. 3) Dakota on 3? Kidding?
PG PJ, Eastern No question here. PJ starts, Eastern coming off of the bench.
SG Mathias,Cline Carsen can play either 1/2 depends on what we need and I think he'll still play more 2 and share minutes with Cline. This won't change that much. But Carsen is talented so who knows what the hell is gonna happen next season. And remember the change of Dakota from his sophomore year to junior year? I think after a season of disappointing Cline might be able to pick up something, he has size but lack of speed. And he needs to focus more on who's getting the ball from him instead of looking around. He will improve, we'll see how much.
SF VE, Ewing. I think Wheeler prob will get redshirt depends on whether Taylor is healthy or not, and if Taylor is able to play Wheeler will be 60% RS. And Vince will play more than 25 min next season. We don't need a crowd at this position. Vince can change his position to 4 at any time depends on what kind of team we will face with.
PF Taylor (?), Haarms, Wheeler (prob?) I think I already talked too much about Taylor...Haarms is absolutely ready to play 4, and if he can change to 5 if we need but I'd rather not see that happening. He's not solid at 5. And he can create matchup problems for the other team like Wagner did to us, except they have both Wilson and Wagner. We can do that as well but still depends on what Taylor will be next season. If Taylor is not playing, Wheeler will play at 4. And he's still growing so let's say if Wheeler is able to reach 6'10 we will have plenty of tower stocks.
C Haas, whatever happens this morning will decide 1) If Haas gonna start 2) Just whatever. Biggie/Ondigo.

 

[nagemj02]

No way Sasha does anything but redshirt. The minutes just aren't there.

He could prep for a year, so he doesn't have to sit out.

 

[takedownboiler]

He could prep for a year, so he doesn't have to sit out.

Ok yes he could prep. Which has been talked about. But if he's on the team next year. There is no way he does not redshirt.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Ok yes he could prep. Which has been talked about. But if he's on the team next year. There is no way he does not redshirt.

I think Sasha probably knows that but the draw of being able to play in an offense where he can specialize in a major conference and with improvement become a mainstay is a draw. Mathias' ability to improve to what he is now is as big a draw for those mid-level recruits who are hard workers and can become big contributors is as equally important as Biggie coming to Purdue, IMO.

 

[Wolegib]

I'm going to toss out a totally different lineup based on talent and a switch to our guards being our first scoring option, and others being complementary. Guards win NCAA championships, not big men. And this is in part based on no loyalty to seniors i.e. Davis going from being a starter to a bench player as a senior. Contrary to other line-ups, this keeps V Edwards at SF, and brings Ewing in to be a banger inside and allow the back court to score, Haas to pick up garbage shots off rebounds rather than being expected to be a scoring option and allows CE and Eastern to be the focal point and creaters. I think the majority of stats are overrated. I also believe experience is overrated. Biggie started as a freshmen, so can Eastern. Many people wanted C Edwards to start this year.

This is my preferred line-up, not the one I believe Painter will employ, as it makes both Mathias and Thompson come off the bench. I believe we have seen that freshman can be successful as starters in the NCAA. I believe Eastern has the talent to be one of those type of players. I believe Eastern has the talent to be a one and done player if given the opportunity.

A lot will depend if our incoming freshmen will participate on our university games team. I know Haarmes will not. If Purdue pulls off a miracle, and signs McCoy, he will start at PF. I look for Sasha and Ondigo to red shirt or play sparingly. I look for Cline to play sparingly. I could envision A shift of Mathias to SF and VEdwards to PF as a small ball line-up, But that would place a lot of pressure on Haas to be dominant in the paint, and I don't see that happening. Purdue needs another inside banger to play along side Haas and I don't see V Edwards as that inside banger. And although he has a lot of talent, I see Wheeler watching and waiting his freshman year. And we must remember Ewing is not a freshman. This line-up is based on Eastern surpassing every one on this board's expectations of him.

PG: Eastern, Thompson
SG: C Edwards, Mathias
SF: V Edwards, Wheeler
PF: Ewing, Haarmes
C: Haas, Taylor

 

[proudopete]

I doubt you see any of the seniors losing their starting spots. The new guys will get their chance to make a difference and will be rewarded accordingly with more time.

Experience does matter, we are fortunate to have a senior class next season that has had tons of experience on the floor in our system. We would be crazy to not take advantage of it.

 

[PU52Chevy]

I doubt you see any of the seniors losing their starting spots. The new guys will get their chance to make a difference and will be rewarded accordingly with more time.

Experience does matter, we are fortunate to have a senior class next season that has had tons of experience on the floor in our system. We would be crazy to not take advantage of it.

Add Cline, Taylor and Ewing to that and we have experienced depth as well.

 

[GS Thomas]

I'm not buying the Gophers 17-18 pre-season hype. Good, yes but Top 20. Nah, son.

 

[NVBoilerFan]

At some point I want to see this lineup on the floor together:

Eastern - 6'6
Mathis - 6'5
Wheeler - 6'9
Haarms - 7'2
Haas - 7'2

Probably have to go to one of nags vaunted zones, maybe a 3-2 with H2 in the back or a 1-3-1 with Wheeler out front and Haarms patrolling the baseline.

 

[since1980]

The lineup possibilities are going to make next years team fun to watch. I think Painter will ride hot hands and play matchup's like he has been the past few years as the season progresses. I expect end of game scenarios Mathias and Vince will be mainstays with the other 3 spots being matchups and hot hands.

But I certainly think the Kansas game was all the proof Painter needed that he needs to employ more athletic guards (and players for that matter) in order to advance deeper into the tournament. We can definitely grind out BIG10 wins with Mathias, Cline, Haas, Vince, PJ....but come tourney time we definitely need to be more athletic to be the top seeds both on offense and defense.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

I'm going to toss out a totally different lineup based on talent and a switch to our guards being our first scoring option, and others being complementary. Guards win NCAA championships, not big men. And this is in part based on no loyalty to seniors i.e. Davis going from being a starter to a bench player as a senior. Contrary to other line-ups, this keeps V Edwards at SF, and brings Ewing in to be a banger inside and allow the back court to score, Haas to pick up garbage shots off rebounds rather than being expected to be a scoring option and allows CE and Eastern to be the focal point and creaters. I think the majority of stats are overrated. I also believe experience is overrated. Biggie started as a freshmen, so can Eastern. Many people wanted C Edwards to start this year.

This is my preferred line-up, not the one I believe Painter will employ, as it makes both Mathias and Thompson come off the bench. I believe we have seen that freshman can be successful as starters in the NCAA. I believe Eastern has the talent to be one of those type of players. I believe Eastern has the talent to be a one and done player if given the opportunity.

A lot will depend if our incoming freshmen will participate on our university games team. I know Haarmes will not. If Purdue pulls off a miracle, and signs McCoy, he will start at PF. I look for Sasha and Ondigo to red shirt or play sparingly. I look for Cline to play sparingly. I could envision A shift of Mathias to SF and VEdwards to PF as a small ball line-up, But that would place a lot of pressure on Haas to be dominant in the paint, and I don't see that happening. Purdue needs another inside banger to play along side Haas and I don't see V Edwards as that inside banger. And although he has a lot of talent, I see Wheeler watching and waiting his freshman year. And we must remember Ewing is not a freshman. This line-up is based on Eastern surpassing every one on this board's expectations of him.

PG: Eastern, Thompson
SG: C Edwards, Mathias
SF: V Edwards, Wheeler
PF: Ewing, Haarmes
C: Haas, Taylor

No way does Eastern come in and start above PJT and no way does Mathias not start next season.

G: PJT
G: Carsen Edwards
G: Mathias
F: Vince Edwards
C: Haas

Likely the first subs will be Cline, Eastern, and Haarms/Ewing. It is a distinct possibility that with Taylor coming back 2 players will red shirt next season. More than likely that comes down to Sasha and Wheeler.

Unless Wheeler can come in a beat out a player to provide more than 5 minutes of PT, losing a year for that is very silly.

 

[Boiler Buck]

Don't care about starters........ But I hope the newbies are so good we see major contributions where (like CE) it is hard to keep them off the floor.

 

[Wolegib]

I'm just providing food for thought. it's been a very long time since Painter recruited a guard with Eastern's ability/talent. he is not your typical 3 star guard who sits back and learns. He has the potential to be one of Purdue's greatest guards. He's better than C Edwards. Nothing against Cline, Thompson and Mathais, but to beat the best teams like Louisville and Kansas and UNC, we need talented guard play rather than experienced guard play. Experienced guard play was no match against either Louisville or Kansas this year. I have high hopes for Eastern. He could start and star for many successful Div 1 schools. But he chose Purdue. And if he as good as hyped, it forces a domino effect. Who's the odd man out ? Even before Eastern signed, I was expecting C Edwards to start over Thompson next year. I really want to find a way to keep V Edwards at SF and use our PF slot as basically a banger force inside.

 

[Boiler Buck]

I'm just providing food for thought. it's been a very long time since Painter recruited a guard with Eastern's ability/talent. he is not your typical 3 star guard who sits back and learns. He has the potential to be one of Purdue's greatest guards. He's better than C Edwards. Nothing against Cline, Thompson and Mathais, but to beat the best teams like Louisville and Kansas and UNC, we need talented guard play rather than experienced guard play. Experienced guard play was no match against either Louisville or Kansas this year. I have high hopes for Eastern. He could start and star for many successful Div 1 schools. But he chose Purdue. And if he as good as hyped, it forces a domino effect. Who's the odd man out ? Even before Eastern signed, I was expecting C Edwards to start over Thompson next year. I really want to find a way to keep V Edwards at SF and use our PF slot as basically a banger force inside.

I hope he's flat good enough to get more minutes and take away from PJT's &/or Dakota's minutes.....and most know I love me some DM. That is saying something and only improves our team.

I too like CE starting over PJT....most think that won't happen. Because coach loves him some PJT, and he really likes experienced seniors. But think about our backcourt with CE & Eastern...nice.

In the mean time hope the coaches work on Eastern's FT shooting.

 

[PU52Chevy]

Purdue will be very athletic at the PG spot and the PF spot......

Eastern and Boogie at the PG and V.Edwards/Ewing//Haarms at the PF spot.

With Taylor playing minutes at both the PF and some C to back up Haas.

Love the depth of next years team.......

 

[tjreese]

At some point I want to see this lineup on the floor together:

Eastern - 6'6
Mathis - 6'5
Wheeler - 6'9
Haarms - 7'2
Haas - 7'2

Probably have to go to one of nags vaunted zones, maybe a 3-2 with H2 in the back or a 1-3-1 with Wheeler out front and Haarms patrolling the baseline.

I think ANY zone with Haas outside of a 2-3 and you have problems. if you play a 3-2, the back two must be able to guard the corner off a pass and that puts Haas way out there quickly and vulnerable to a drive...course I have major reservations with pure zones anyway...

 

[Dakota Girl]

I'm going to toss out a totally different lineup based on talent and a switch to our guards being our first scoring option, and others being complementary. Guards win NCAA championships, not big men. And this is in part based on no loyalty to seniors i.e. Davis going from being a starter to a bench player as a senior. Contrary to other line-ups, this keeps V Edwards at SF, and brings Ewing in to be a banger inside and allow the back court to score, Haas to pick up garbage shots off rebounds rather than being expected to be a scoring option and allows CE and Eastern to be the focal point and creaters. I think the majority of stats are overrated. I also believe experience is overrated. Biggie started as a freshmen, so can Eastern. Many people wanted C Edwards to start this year.

This is my preferred line-up, not the one I believe Painter will employ, as it makes both Mathias and Thompson come off the bench. I believe we have seen that freshman can be successful as starters in the NCAA. I believe Eastern has the talent to be one of those type of players. I believe Eastern has the talent to be a one and done player if given the opportunity.

A lot will depend if our incoming freshmen will participate on our university games team. I know Haarmes will not. If Purdue pulls off a miracle, and signs McCoy, he will start at PF. I look for Sasha and Ondigo to red shirt or play sparingly. I look for Cline to play sparingly. I could envision A shift of Mathias to SF and VEdwards to PF as a small ball line-up, But that would place a lot of pressure on Haas to be dominant in the paint, and I don't see that happening. Purdue needs another inside banger to play along side Haas and I don't see V Edwards as that inside banger. And although he has a lot of talent, I see Wheeler watching and waiting his freshman year. And we must remember Ewing is not a freshman. This line-up is based on Eastern surpassing every one on this board's expectations of him.

PG: Eastern, Thompson
SG: C Edwards, Mathias
SF: V Edwards, Wheeler
PF: Ewing, Haarmes
C: Haas, Taylor

It's possible. Seems less likely but possible.

 

[Boiler Buck]

I think ANY zone with Haas outside of a 2-3 and you have problems. if you play a 3-2, the back two must be able to guard the corner off a pass and that puts Haas way out there quickly and vulnerable to a drive...course I have major reservations with pure zones anyway...

Good, now this thread has talked about zones and Taylor as a major contributor ...... there ya go.....well done Boilers.

 

[PU52Chevy]

I am a man to man defense fan.....but I do like if it if we can throw in some other defenses just so we are not predictable.

Even if just a few possessions throw a different look at them.....

With depth at guard next year why don't we press like West Virginia.

Lets mix it up a little to be unpredictable but stick to our core man to man.

I am sure Painter will dabble with some defensive tweaks....

 

[tjreese]

I'm just providing food for thought. it's been a very long time since Painter recruited a guard with Eastern's ability/talent. he is not your typical 3 star guard who sits back and learns. He has the potential to be one of Purdue's greatest guards. He's better than C Edwards. Nothing against Cline, Thompson and Mathais, but to beat the best teams like Louisville and Kansas and UNC, we need talented guard play rather than experienced guard play. Experienced guard play was no match against either Louisville or Kansas this year. I have high hopes for Eastern. He could start and star for many successful Div 1 schools. But he chose Purdue. And if he as good as hyped, it forces a domino effect. Who's the odd man out ? Even before Eastern signed, I was expecting C Edwards to start over Thompson next year. I really want to find a way to keep V Edwards at SF and use our PF slot as basically a banger force inside.

You do realize that Louisville, Kansas and UNC had great inside players. Sure the rules favor the perimeter more today, but good teams have really good inside games...that is what makes them consistent. Now ONCE you get really good teams together (with those really solid inside games) and the game is close...there are definite advantages for the team that ALSO has really good guards that can make his own shot. However, without the inside game...most teams falter somewhere. Now that inside can be solid on D and O and not great on either...but statisically there are a lot more guards that are solid than there are to find the bigs just due to genetics...

 

[TC4THREE]

Surprised nobody has done the ever-popular breakdown-by-minutes yet. These things are rarely constant and usually evolve as the season goes along. Just look at this past season.