I'll be working on a few pieces to drop the next couple days but here's some quick notes from today's practice:
-Zach Edey was back and looking lean and mobile. While the talk of his extended range is all the rave, it's the work Edey continues to do on his body that should make the most difference for himself and the team. He's clearly cut some weight and gotten quicker. Caleb Furst who is as quick a big as you'll find in the country was having an impossible time trying to cut off Edey cutting to the hoop. This is going to be a reality of Purdue's offense this year and a nightmare for opposing teams. PJ Thompson told me after the practice that having Edey moving more, in screens, doing hand-offs, is going to be even more of a focal point in the offense this year.
-Ethan Morton is still being cautious with his hamstring tear he suffered before the Europe trip. He's been cautious with it, but looked more mobile and felt better this week. I talked to him for about fifteen minutes after practice and will have a write up on the senior in the next day.
- Camden Heide rolled his ankle again. He missed the last hour of practice. This has been a repeating occurrence for the redshirt freshman.
-Talked to Trey Kaufman-Renn for about ten minutes about his role, what it's been like adjusting to playing with Edey, and the difficulties and points of emphasis he has to think about while out there. Will have that write up for you in the next day as well.
- The team was going through some end of game simulations for a healthy portion of practice today. The offense looked a little rough. Purdue's focusing on motion offense and defending the motion at this point in preparation.
- Myles Colvin looks every bit the best wing shooter and potential X factor on offense... but he's still struggling on the defensive end. During hedge and screen drills, he was consistently a step behind or getting caught up on picks. At one point Thompson asked him 'You didn't do it, but do you understand it?' Purdue's gonna want to give him all the chances to play but Colvin will have to step it up on the defensive end to earn that Painter trust.
-Zach Edey was back and looking lean and mobile. While the talk of his extended range is all the rave, it's the work Edey continues to do on his body that should make the most difference for himself and the team. He's clearly cut some weight and gotten quicker. Caleb Furst who is as quick a big as you'll find in the country was having an impossible time trying to cut off Edey cutting to the hoop. This is going to be a reality of Purdue's offense this year and a nightmare for opposing teams. PJ Thompson told me after the practice that having Edey moving more, in screens, doing hand-offs, is going to be even more of a focal point in the offense this year.
-Ethan Morton is still being cautious with his hamstring tear he suffered before the Europe trip. He's been cautious with it, but looked more mobile and felt better this week. I talked to him for about fifteen minutes after practice and will have a write up on the senior in the next day.
- Camden Heide rolled his ankle again. He missed the last hour of practice. This has been a repeating occurrence for the redshirt freshman.
-Talked to Trey Kaufman-Renn for about ten minutes about his role, what it's been like adjusting to playing with Edey, and the difficulties and points of emphasis he has to think about while out there. Will have that write up for you in the next day as well.
- The team was going through some end of game simulations for a healthy portion of practice today. The offense looked a little rough. Purdue's focusing on motion offense and defending the motion at this point in preparation.
- Myles Colvin looks every bit the best wing shooter and potential X factor on offense... but he's still struggling on the defensive end. During hedge and screen drills, he was consistently a step behind or getting caught up on picks. At one point Thompson asked him 'You didn't do it, but do you understand it?' Purdue's gonna want to give him all the chances to play but Colvin will have to step it up on the defensive end to earn that Painter trust.
