I know a lot of people were pulling for this. I personally love it! Can't wait to see what he can do.
Sasha Stefanovic comitts to Purdue
- Thread starter StickPurdue
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since Dakota will be a sr. next year and Cline a jr. , I would like to see him redshirt next year. Glad we got him.
Interesting get. Nice to have another 3 point shooter as our guys have been great this year at knocking down open looks. I do wonder what role having CS underneath plays in our guys shooting success (giving them open looks). Without another CS coming in that we know of, I still hope guys that are not particularly athletic but can shoot will still play a significant role next year and beyond.
I've been voicing it for a while... this team needs athletic playmakers that can not only spot up and shoot but also create their own shot, and just as important, stay in front of their man on D. Not to say there isn't a role for Sasha on this team, but I'm still holding out hope for that stud guard who can come in and take us to the next level, as athletic playmaking guards seem to be the most common tie to leading their teams to victory in March.
I've been voicing it for a while... this team needs athletic playmakers that can not only spot up and shoot but also create their own shot, and just as important, stay in front of their man on D. Not to say there isn't a role for Sasha on this team, but I'm still holding out hope for that stud guard who can come in and take us to the next level, as athletic playmaking guards seem to be the most common tie to leading their teams to victory in March.
He is them with defense. Gelon the kid who went to IU was the Cline type who can chuck it but not cover anyone. This kid is tough and will do some little things. He also looks bigger than Cline even though they list Cline at 6'6". Sasha is about 6'4" or 6'5" legit. Not like a Michael Jordan "6'7"
Completely agree. Looks like it was happening one way or another but Basil leaving made happen sooner.
20 schools were after this kid and I'm very glad he picked us. Based on this class it really seems CMP has changed the type of player he wants. It is going to be pretty interesting to see how things evolve from here out.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Our biggest weakness next year will be rebounding after Biggie leaves. And I think we all knows he's leaving. I still like this pickup as you can't have too many shooters, but we need a bruiser inside that can crash the boards. We will get out rebounded on a regular basis if we don't.
A shooter that demands attention that you cannot help off of spreads the court for athletic players like Carson, Ewing,Eastern and Wheeler room to operate. Don't know anything about the kid, but spacing for driving with rule emphasis and the 3 ball are bigger factors today and this kid may offer the 3ball and create spacing by occupying a defender for others. I assume Basil is still in school?
Doesn't appear to be very quicky but loved his one drive. Obviously can stroke it since the team is very aware of him on the perimeter. Thanks for the video
Welcome aboard Sasha!
I am assuming we are still in the running for Epperson too, if Biggie leaves, which everything points to that being likely?
I am assuming we are still in the running for Epperson too, if Biggie leaves, which everything points to that being likely?
Article about his season from two weeks ago:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...ke-hutton-column-st-0120-20170119-column.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...ke-hutton-column-st-0120-20170119-column.html
Welcome to Purdue,Sasha.I have been waiting on you to Commit.Thanks for coming on board..
I have to disagree with the comment starting with "interesting get". I would suggest it is a really good get. We needed someone to come in and replace Dakota and then Cline...we got him. Biggie is having the year he is PARTIALLY because we now have guys who can actually shoot 3s in college games. AND yes, Biggie (and Hass) open it up for them as well in way we haven't had in the past. The key to all of this is having the full component of parts that work together - so yes, I want another Bigger, boarder ...but we NEEDED this type of player as well. So...not INTERESTING...but actually REALLY IMPORTANT...
Interestingly in the article he says:
Stefanovic is careful about what he says, calling his top four choices Valparaiso, Evansville, Loyola and Northern Iowa. "My heart is with those four schools," he said.
And then.....commits to Purdue. Shows how crazy recruiting is....
My understanding is the Eastern and Wheeler will provide quite a bit of athleticism to go with Carsen Edwards. Sasha sounds similar to Mathias and should be a nice compliment to those 3. Add Epperson to replace Biggie and I really like the class.
It appears that Smotherman's departure opened up a scholarship.
Not to throw a wet blanket on this commitment, but if he's such a good get, why were not other high majors after him? We were his best offer by a long shot. Maybe Painter's putting together a team where a spot up 3 pt shooter is needed but why can't we get a good 3 pt shooter who can also create their own shot and score in the lane?
He is a "late bloomer" where he did not get huge notoriety until late his sophomore year/junior year (kind of like Glenn Robinson III) as he got overshadowed a bit by Gelon. Purdue wanted him, bad, but had maxed out of scholarships. Both sides were waiting for this and it worked out. When Swanigan leaves his spot has to go to a big guy.
He was a late bloomer. Kind of lanky 6'2" kid as a sophomore. The big teams and offered others.
We did...his name is Carsen Edwards. Yes, I would also like more like him...but we CAN and we DID
Because players without flaws are recruited by everyone and they're difficult to get.
had a pretty bad sprained ankle in the summer during the heat of the AAU Circuit...think to a lesser degree of what happened to J. Taylor. The sprained ankle left him out during the peak time...also don't sleep on teams like Evansville, Valpo, and Northern Iowa. They have had and have players who would probably be contributors on Purdue's team this season right now. Every kid can't be a star but every kid can be a contributor. This kid probably will never be a Moore or maybe even a Mathias...but what he does is fill a role that Painter had identified is a need in HIS program.
He will be better at the back end of his career... why teams like Creighton, Butler, Wichita State, etc. are so good in the NCAA- 5-6 4 year guys can beat a few one and dones. He may redshirt then play a bit that first go around- once Cline graduates he is Cline. But like I said, Cline with some defensive and rebounding ability. Also won't have to worry about him off the court; very good student.
Agreed, and guys who can do all of that are top 30 or 40 kids, and outside of Biggie, we don't get many of those. If this team had a 6'4 athlete who could shut down opposing guards, create his own shot driving and hit open looks to go along with Biggie and this current team, we would potentially be a top 5 team instead of hanging out around the 20 or 25 spot. It's fine to get these kids in the 80-100 range along with some one trick players (who can either shoot or are athletic or can rebound but can't do multiple things) who are unranked or ranked low (Sasha, Ewing, Wheeler, PJT, Cline) but those are your supporting cast... you need a few studs, not just one, to compete at the highest level. We haven't had that since we had 2 top 40 guys in E'Twuan and JJ and another who played like a top 30 recruit when healthy in RH. Not surprisingly, we haven't won a B1G title or advanced past the 1st weekend in the NCAA tournament since that time.
It makes it a bit hard to get too excited about a Sasha or Wheeler or even a Eastern who looks like he can be solid, because you realize while they can be a good supporting cast, they don't have elite talent with them and their ceiling is limited without some top end talent.
I know there will be plenty of venom in response, so go ahead... just being realistic.
Not wrong, yes, in a sense we do need that stud guy or two....what makes us the best shooting team is Biggie and others who draw the attention or set picks....and leave our shooters open. I too am wondering who is going to be that inside stud difference maker after Haas leaves?
Still you got to have the shooters who can knock it down when the opening happens....so from that standpoint you should be excited. Sounds like this guy covers that half of the equation.
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This reminds me a lot of the PJ Thompson offer. I followed PJ in high school and while there were always questions about whether he had Big Ten talent, he was the kind of kid that I hoped Painter could find room for. Sasha won't blow away anyone with his athleticism, but by all accounts he's a solid, intelligent basketball player who can shoot, pass, and handle the ball. There are a lot of talented guards who end up at mid-majors, but have the talent to contribute in a top conference. Like PJ, I think that Sasha can be that kind of player. I don't think that he has the ceiling of the other players in the class, but I expect him to develop into a solid contributor.
Mathias has made himself into a solid defender...Cline has not (yet)...and Stephens never did...if this guy can defend, then it is a good get...if he cannot, and if he does not have guys like Haas or Swanigan (and, as it stands, he does not), then, it is far more of an "interesting get" than "really important" one...as Stephens ultimately was not important at all, to the point that he could not even get on the floor and that he left the program early because of his lack of an overall game and failure to develop one.
Perhaps, but even if true, the question with respect to why nobody else (even lower level B1G or P5 schools) offered is a fair and valid one...and, is he not the same type of player that Carmody is a year from now (with actual high level offers)?
I have seen him play...a couple of times...he is a guy that excels when surrounded by good/better players (very similar to DJ Byrd in that regard), but, like Byrd (and Cline is similar), he has to have good/better players around him.
Replacing Swanigan with a guy with similar skills and ability is a far greater concern and far more important, particularly so in that he is going to need to be replaced next year rather than two or three years down the road.
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Fair point, but, at the same time...there are physical limitations in PJ's case that prevented him from being recruited by bigger schools, and those remain...again, a case of having really good/better players around him makes all the difference in the world, although he still has the same issues that prevented him from being recruited at a higher level.
Based on results during HIS time, he probably should have identified by now the need in HIS program for it to be successful at a high level for guys that are elite HS players rather than contributors...THOSE guys are far more relevant and important to HIS program having success.
Pretty much nailed it...and, far more relevant when looking at the rest of the B1G and the recruiting success that others are having, including adding elite talent. NW and Rutgers have legitimate coaches now, and PSU has finally had some recruiting success as well...to be relevant in the B1G, never mind nationally, it is imperative to be able to land some elite talent...on a regular basis, not just every four or five years, and, more than one at a time.
It's easy to say this, but think back on purdue basketball history in the last 20 years. How many guys have we really had that can do this consistently? willie deane, etwaun moore, glenn robinson? Maybe hummel too? It's just not that common of a skill set. And one of those guys would never even have set foot on a college floor in the modern game.
Wish it were that easy to dial up a 5 star recruit every couple years.
