Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, to the opening of the 2017-2018 Purdue basketball season as the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Cougars come to Mackey Arena to take on the Boilers. Tip scheduled for a little less than an hour at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. It's the senior season for four of Purdue's expected starters, Vincent Edwards, Isaac Haas, Dakota Mathias, and PJ Thompson, all of whom are poised to move up further on some of Purdue's all-time statistical lists. Vincent Edwards is also on some of the pre-season watch lists and is expected to be a team leader for scoring.
Limited TV/stream coverage is available for subscribers of BTN Plus.
Among the many intriguing story lines this year for Purdue:
- the role of Isaac Haas, who will play his senior season as the featured Big Man, now that Caleb Swanigan has moved on the the NBA's Portland Trailblazers following AJ Hammons the previous season.
Some interesting quotes from Isaac Haas, who believes the tutelage from Caleb Swanigan and AJ Hammons helped him improve in several areas.
"With A.J. being the great athlete that he is, it gave me an opportunity to prove myself athletically. Then with Biggie, it was his athletic ability and drive. He was relentless on the court. He gave us an idea of what it's going to take to be relentless now."
"It makes it a whole lot easier now, and hopefully I can continue that throughout the year. I want to be as relentless as Biggie was."
"This year, I am seeing the court better and am in better condition. I also have a better idea what needs to be done on the court and understanding certain situations. I want to make sure guys don't get their heads down when things don't go their way."
Coach Painter is on record saying Haas will have a special season if he avoids foul trouble.
"When you have watched the big guys that we have had -- Carl Landry, Caleb Swanigan, A.J. Hammons and JaJuan Johnson -- they stayed in the game. They learned by their senior year. That wasn't an attribute they had when they got here. So far, Isaac hasn't been able to do that for us. He has to learn to play good position defense and stay in a stance."
- the emergence of the dynamic sophomore guard, Carsen Edwards. He showed flashes last year....with more patience and consistency, C-Boogie has the ability to really kick the Boiler offense into high gear. Perhaps overlooked could be his ability to improve on defense.....as Purdue's overall team makeup transitions, Purdue's defensive presence may take an interesting twist or two
- newcomers Nojel Eastern and Matt Haarms look to provide unique skills to a veteran squad. Matt Haarms has a little more of a head start having red-shirted last semester, and even though he was ineligible for the World University Games.....his work with Isaac Haas and Caleb Swanigan last year may provide immediate dividends this year.....
"It's really great. For me to have an opportunity to work with someone of Biggie's skill level is just great. You have a chance to get better every day. Not a lot of schools have those kinds of talented players walking around."
He's already shown some flashes of potential as has freshman PG/SG/SF Nojel Eastern, expected to be a key reserve this year and a main cog of the team going forward. Plenty of size, skill flexibility, and athleticism looks to be on the horizon with Nojel Eastern, and the other new players and recruits. Also looks like Aaron Wheeler and Sasha Stefanovic will redshirt this season.
Nojel Eastern has the potential to be a very dynamic and special player for Purdue....looking forward to seeing him play and what he can do on both ends of the floor.
- Jacquil Taylor is being eased back slowly......can he return to action and play significant minutes, productively? If he can.....as he showed this Summer, Purdue will be more than a handful for the opposition.
- how will Ryan Cline's role develop with the second unit.....will his offensive game continue to expand?
- appears that Aaron Wheeler and Sasha Stefanovic will redshirt this season....looks like depth isn't an issue for now.
- Dakota Mathias - Cowboy Up! I expect he'll be his usual steady unassuming rock-solid contributor....with a few wrinkles thrown in.
- PJ Thompson.....will he expand his offensive output? He has the potential.
- Vincent Edwards - let's see how high he can climb up the potential draft boards with a special season.
Look for SIUE to compete hard on the boards.....it's an improving squad from last year. The Boilers should be ready given the game experience and practices they've had leading up to the season. I'll be interested to see how they choose to start the offense and changes on defense......along with how things shape up on the glass.
Time for the Old Gold & Black Glasses for a few hours......also, a hearty welcome to newcomers and guests. Can you Dig It?
Boiler up my friends.
Limited TV/stream coverage is available for subscribers of BTN Plus.
Among the many intriguing story lines this year for Purdue:
- the role of Isaac Haas, who will play his senior season as the featured Big Man, now that Caleb Swanigan has moved on the the NBA's Portland Trailblazers following AJ Hammons the previous season.
Some interesting quotes from Isaac Haas, who believes the tutelage from Caleb Swanigan and AJ Hammons helped him improve in several areas.
"With A.J. being the great athlete that he is, it gave me an opportunity to prove myself athletically. Then with Biggie, it was his athletic ability and drive. He was relentless on the court. He gave us an idea of what it's going to take to be relentless now."
"It makes it a whole lot easier now, and hopefully I can continue that throughout the year. I want to be as relentless as Biggie was."
"This year, I am seeing the court better and am in better condition. I also have a better idea what needs to be done on the court and understanding certain situations. I want to make sure guys don't get their heads down when things don't go their way."
Coach Painter is on record saying Haas will have a special season if he avoids foul trouble.
"When you have watched the big guys that we have had -- Carl Landry, Caleb Swanigan, A.J. Hammons and JaJuan Johnson -- they stayed in the game. They learned by their senior year. That wasn't an attribute they had when they got here. So far, Isaac hasn't been able to do that for us. He has to learn to play good position defense and stay in a stance."
- the emergence of the dynamic sophomore guard, Carsen Edwards. He showed flashes last year....with more patience and consistency, C-Boogie has the ability to really kick the Boiler offense into high gear. Perhaps overlooked could be his ability to improve on defense.....as Purdue's overall team makeup transitions, Purdue's defensive presence may take an interesting twist or two
- newcomers Nojel Eastern and Matt Haarms look to provide unique skills to a veteran squad. Matt Haarms has a little more of a head start having red-shirted last semester, and even though he was ineligible for the World University Games.....his work with Isaac Haas and Caleb Swanigan last year may provide immediate dividends this year.....
"It's really great. For me to have an opportunity to work with someone of Biggie's skill level is just great. You have a chance to get better every day. Not a lot of schools have those kinds of talented players walking around."
He's already shown some flashes of potential as has freshman PG/SG/SF Nojel Eastern, expected to be a key reserve this year and a main cog of the team going forward. Plenty of size, skill flexibility, and athleticism looks to be on the horizon with Nojel Eastern, and the other new players and recruits. Also looks like Aaron Wheeler and Sasha Stefanovic will redshirt this season.
Nojel Eastern has the potential to be a very dynamic and special player for Purdue....looking forward to seeing him play and what he can do on both ends of the floor.
- Jacquil Taylor is being eased back slowly......can he return to action and play significant minutes, productively? If he can.....as he showed this Summer, Purdue will be more than a handful for the opposition.
- how will Ryan Cline's role develop with the second unit.....will his offensive game continue to expand?
- appears that Aaron Wheeler and Sasha Stefanovic will redshirt this season....looks like depth isn't an issue for now.
- Dakota Mathias - Cowboy Up! I expect he'll be his usual steady unassuming rock-solid contributor....with a few wrinkles thrown in.
- PJ Thompson.....will he expand his offensive output? He has the potential.
- Vincent Edwards - let's see how high he can climb up the potential draft boards with a special season.
Look for SIUE to compete hard on the boards.....it's an improving squad from last year. The Boilers should be ready given the game experience and practices they've had leading up to the season. I'll be interested to see how they choose to start the offense and changes on defense......along with how things shape up on the glass.
Time for the Old Gold & Black Glasses for a few hours......also, a hearty welcome to newcomers and guests. Can you Dig It?
Boiler up my friends.
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