Swanigan

[HUD628]

First off, i still don't think he's leaving. I can't fathom he and Rosi actually making that decision. You can play in the B1G in front of sell out crowds and have fun, or go labor for squat in the D league and try to put on a show for all 17 fans in attendance. It makes no sense. At least go to Europe and make some money if you're leaving school.

But if he does go...big deal. I'm not real concerned about it. He can rebound, but I wouldn't miss his terrible 3 point shot, which he was clearly promised he had the green light to take. He should be playing down low to help PURDUE win, and if he doesn't like it, then leave. Good luck kid.

I don't get the worry, I really don't. This is not a kid who puts us over the top to win it all for crying out loud. Hell I'm not even totally convinced that Painter will be upset if he goes. At least if he's gone the coach will have control and not be a slave to recruiting promises.

Whatever happens happens. It's just whatever. We'll be OK without him.

 

[Cleanface]

Fresh take.

Definitely new thread worthy.

Thx bro.

 

[GemstateBoiler]

First off, i still don't think he's leaving. I can't fathom he and Rosi actually making that decision. You can play in the B1G in front of sell out crowds and have fun, or go labor for squat in the D league and try to put on a show for all 17 fans in attendance. It makes no sense. At least go to Europe and make some money if you're leaving school.

But if he does go...big deal. I'm not real concerned about it. He can rebound, but I wouldn't miss his terrible 3 point shot, which he was clearly promised he had the green light to take. He should be playing down low to help PURDUE win, and if he doesn't like it, then leave. Good luck kid.

I don't get the worry, I really don't. This is not a kid who puts us over the top to win it all for crying out loud. Hell I'm not even totally convinced that Painter will be upset if he goes. At least if he's gone the coach will have control and not be a slave to recruiting promises.

Whatever happens happens. It's just whatever. We'll be OK without him.

Some things you say, I can agree with. That said, I want him back. Hell, if he improves on weak areas that most freshman to sophomores do, he'll be a force. He's smart, determined and has energy. I just think he's not close to being satisfied and will be on a quest to prove many people wrong with what he is capable of.

I want him to show me.

 

[Summy1]

First off, i still don't think he's leaving. I can't fathom he and Rosi actually making that decision. You can play in the B1G in front of sell out crowds and have fun, or go labor for squat in the D league and try to put on a show for all 17 fans in attendance. It makes no sense. At least go to Europe and make some money if you're leaving school.

But if he does go...big deal. I'm not real concerned about it. He can rebound, but I wouldn't miss his terrible 3 point shot, which he was clearly promised he had the green light to take. He should be playing down low to help PURDUE win, and if he doesn't like it, then leave. Good luck kid.

I don't get the worry, I really don't. This is not a kid who puts us over the top to win it all for crying out loud. Hell I'm not even totally convinced that Painter will be upset if he goes. At least if he's gone the coach will have control and not be a slave to recruiting promises.

Whatever happens happens. It's just whatever. We'll be OK without him.

Either way Purdue will be okay. Part of me doesn't mind seeing Edwards play the 4 spot. They will be fine without Biggie, but if he comes back then it gives Purdue another weapon and the younger players will benefit from watching how he works hard.

 

[punaj]

I like what he does in this video. He is draining everything from 17-19 feet. Once he steps back to 3 he is all over the place. And he seems sluggish when they make him head back to the corner before each shot. If he would come back to Purdue, embrace the rebounding and take shots from inside 20 feet he could be a 20 and 12 guy. My opinion only. But I know he wants to impress the nba by shooting 3s.

https://purdue.n.rivals.com/news/video-caleb-swanigan-on-nba-decision-possibility-of-purdue-return

 

[*4purdue*]

First off, i still don't think he's leaving. I can't fathom he and Rosi actually making that decision. You can play in the B1G in front of sell out crowds and have fun, or go labor for squat in the D league and try to put on a show for all 17 fans in attendance. It makes no sense. At least go to Europe and make some money if you're leaving school.

But if he does go...big deal. I'm not real concerned about it. He can rebound, but I wouldn't miss his terrible 3 point shot, which he was clearly promised he had the green light to take. He should be playing down low to help PURDUE win, and if he doesn't like it, then leave. Good luck kid.

I don't get the worry, I really don't. This is not a kid who puts us over the top to win it all for crying out loud. Hell I'm not even totally convinced that Painter will be upset if he goes. At least if he's gone the coach will have control and not be a slave to recruiting promises.

Whatever happens happens. It's just whatever. We'll be OK without him.

Seriously? He's the best recruit CMP has ever landed. He was one ofthe top rebounders in the B1G and puts in more work than anyone. He will be a beast next year if he comes back. And oh ya, he did all that in what should have been his senior year of HS. He does put us over the top. We are a decent team without him, but a potentially great team with him. Read any hoops report on Purdue and they all say the same thing... If Swannigan comes back. You will see how much we miss him the first time Haas gets in foul trouble.

 

[mryankee2397]

still around 20 players waiting until last minute to decide. you would think they would know by now.

 

[HUD628]

[*4purdue*, post: 1011900, member: 4724"]Seriously? He's the best recruit CMP has ever landed. He was one ofthe top rebounders in the B1G and puts in more work than anyone. He will be a beast next year if he comes back. And oh ya, he did all that in what should have been his senior year of HS. He does put us over the top. We are a decent team without him, but a potentially great team with him. Read any hoops report on Purdue and they all say the same thing... If Swannigan comes back. You will see how much we miss him the first time Haas gets in foul trouble.[/QUOTE]

Obviously I disagree. He's not a difficult guy to guard and he can't guard anyone on the other end. He rebounds well. Sorry but that doesn't put us over the top. And Haas being in foul trouble would have no impact on him at all. If it does, he's definitely leaving, because that's the whole reason he's here in the first place is to pretend like he's an NBA 4 who can do it all. I

 

[DrEss]

They love the attention.

 

[rjmpu82]

He is a well spoken young man from the times I have seen him interviewed. He is obviously on a mission and willing to work his tail off to get where he wants to go. He has what appears to be excellent supervision and guidance from RB. Having said all that, he is not NBA ready. He is talented, but not ultra talented. He needs AT LEAST one more year of college. Going to the D league or Europe will not help him. He is 18/19 and needs to be around some people his own age. He could easily get tangled up in things that would prohibit his development. His best bet is to come back to Purdue, continue to develop his game and be a kid for another 12-24 months. But that is just my opinion.

 

[Chuchumutha]

Either way Purdue will be okay. Part of me doesn't mind seeing Edwards play the 4 spot. They will be fine without Biggie, but if he comes back then it gives Purdue another weapon and the younger players will benefit from watching how he works hard.

If he does come back I'll tell you what I'd be excited to see. When Haas comes out of the game I want to see Biggie slide to the 5, Vincent to the 4 and bring in another shooter. Completely different look for the Defense.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

First off, i still don't think he's leaving. I can't fathom he and Rosi actually making that decision. You can play in the B1G in front of sell out crowds and have fun, or go labor for squat in the D league and try to put on a show for all 17 fans in attendance. It makes no sense. At least go to Europe and make some money if you're leaving school.

But if he does go...big deal. I'm not real concerned about it. He can rebound, but I wouldn't miss his terrible 3 point shot, which he was clearly promised he had the green light to take. He should be playing down low to help PURDUE win, and if he doesn't like it, then leave. Good luck kid.

I don't get the worry, I really don't. This is not a kid who puts us over the top to win it all for crying out loud. Hell I'm not even totally convinced that Painter will be upset if he goes. At least if he's gone the coach will have control and not be a slave to recruiting promises.

Whatever happens happens. It's just whatever. We'll be OK without him.

I'll be ok with whatever he decides, but I definitely think that it helps Purdue if he returns. Even if he does return, Purdue will play a lot smaller next season because of the loss of Hammons. Truthfully, I thought that Swanigan was a liability quite often last season because of inefficiency on offense and bad match-ups on defense, but I really think that he'll be much better as a sophomore. He'll also split time between the 4 and the 5 positions, which I think will be to his advantage.

 

[nagemj02]

If he does come back I'll tell you what I'd be excited to see. When Haas comes out of the game I want to see Biggie slide to the 5, Vincent to the 4 and bring in another shooter. Completely different look for the Defense.

He did that at times last season, but the whole crux of the matter is that Swanigan has always said that he wants to play the 4 at Purdue. If Painter plays him at the 5 too much, he might start tuning him out. That's like the pro's and con's of Swanigan in a microcosm: extremely driven, a hard-worker, a skilled rebounder, and a good interior passer but a little bit inflexible and stubborn at times. He definitely wants to be THE guy to take the last shot in close games, which is great. However, I don't know if he can tell the difference between what good and bad plays are in those situations.

 

[Dakota Girl]

If he does come back I'll tell you what I'd be excited to see. When Haas comes out of the game I want to see Biggie slide to the 5, Vincent to the 4 and bring in another shooter. Completely different look for the Defense.

I want to see that also. I think that the single "big" formula is a much stronger defense and a very different offensive look.

 

[paintball1979]

Interesting CS said on Monday on Dakich he would make decision Tuesday night. Makes you wonder if there will be an announcement or not.

 

[BBG]

I want to see that also. I think that the single "big" formula is a much stronger defense and a very different offensive look.

I wonder if actually we'll see "less" defense next season and more focus on offense. Now, we'll of course see a drop off in D because of losing Davis and AJH .. but I also wonder if we'll see a more offensive minded team aside from that because of the rule changes.

If Swanigan comes back and improves like he should, we stand to maybe even be a better team than last season. But for different reasons.... I think we all hope for that anyway and it would seem we have the weapons to do it.

Not sure what Biggie will do... but as someone else said in another thread, what he is doing is exactly what you get with 5* recruits. So if he decides to go to the NBA, it wouldn't shock me one bit. Everyone and their grandmother thinks he should come back, but ultimately he needs to do what he thinks is best for him. We will either be very, very good with him.. or really good without. Our cupboard is far from bare.

 

[BBG]

He did that at times last season, but the whole crux of the matter is that Swanigan has always said that he wants to play the 4 at Purdue. If Painter plays him at the 5 too much, he might start tuning him out. That's like the pro's and con's of Swanigan in a microcosm: extremely driven, a hard-worker, a skilled rebounder, and a good interior passer but a little bit inflexible and stubborn at times. He definitely wants to be THE guy to take the last shot in close games, which is great. However, I don't know if he can tell the difference between what good and bad plays are in those situations.

Agree. I would hope that Taylor can play the 5 or maybe even a late transfer instead of Biggie for the same reason you mention here. Last thing we need is a disconnect because Biggie knows he is only there one more season and decides to make it all about him because he plays the 5 too much. I don't see that attitude in him from interviews he has done, but you never know.

 

[fcsurgeon]

First off, i still don't think he's leaving. I can't fathom he and Rosi actually making that decision. You can play in the B1G in front of sell out crowds and have fun, or go labor for squat in the D league and try to put on a show for all 17 fans in attendance. It makes no sense. At least go to Europe and make some money if you're leaving school.

But if he does go...big deal. I'm not real concerned about it. He can rebound, but I wouldn't miss his terrible 3 point shot, which he was clearly promised he had the green light to take. He should be playing down low to help PURDUE win, and if he doesn't like it, then leave. Good luck kid.

I don't get the worry, I really don't. This is not a kid who puts us over the top to win it all for crying out loud. Hell I'm not even totally convinced that Painter will be upset if he goes. At least if he's gone the coach will have control and not be a slave to recruiting promises.

Whatever happens happens. It's just whatever. We'll be OK without him.

Caleb played hard every minute last season. Caused no trouble on and off the court. Was a rebounding machine. He was well-spoken and a credit to the University. He did this all during what should have been his senior year in high school. Anyone who says they don't mind losing players like this have a screw loose.

 

[seminolesboilers]

Agree 100%! Purdue nation hopes that you return at least for one more season at Purdue. Please Biggie...we would welcome you back w/open arms!

 

[lbodel]

I wonder if actually we'll see "less" defense next season and more focus on offense. Now, we'll of course see a drop off in D because of losing Davis and AJH .. but I also wonder if we'll see a more offensive minded team aside from that because of the rule changes.

If Swanigan comes back and improves like he should, we stand to maybe even be a better team than last season. But for different reasons.... I think we all hope for that anyway and it would seem we have the weapons to do it.

Not sure what Biggie will do... but as someone else said in another thread, what he is doing is exactly what you get with 5* recruits. So if he decides to go to the NBA, it wouldn't shock me one bit. Everyone and their grandmother thinks he should come back, but ultimately he needs to do what he thinks is best for him. We will either be very, very good with him.. or really good without. Our cupboard is far from bare.

Our stats were better offensively than defensively last year.

Just in conference games alone, Purdue was 4th in scoring offense, 3rd in field goal percentage, 3rd in 3 point field goal percentage and second in assists.

You make it sound like we're slowing down offensively and scoring 55-60 ppg. We averaged 76 points per game - in conference games!

This idea that we haven't cared about offense is pretty silly.

 

[BBG]

This idea that we haven't cared about offense is pretty silly.

Which isn't what I implied at all. Defense was a focus as it always has been, I am merely wondering if we will focus even more on offense going forward over defense because of the reasons I listed.

 

[GemstateBoiler]

Which isn't what I implied at all. Defense was a focus as it always has been, I am merely wondering if we will focus even more on offense going forward over defense because of the reasons I listed.

I care about offense and defense equally. That way I can complain more often when we don't do either or both well.

 

[lbodel]

Which isn't what I implied at all. Defense was a focus as it always has been, I am merely wondering if we will focus even more on offense going forward over defense because of the reasons I listed.

But again, I don't get where the urge comes from. We don't have many "pure" scorers. We do have some very good defensive players. So why would we focus less on something we can be good at?

The very best teams are also very good defensive teams. Villanova was a great defensive team. Syracuse was also ahead of us and Oklahoma was pretty solid as well.

Purdue has changed its style with rule changes throughout the past few seasons. They play better pure defense now than we used to (i.e. taking risks/steals). You can still play good defense with the rule changes.

As for Hammons/Davis leaving, there were good defensive players before them too. Hammons was a great player defensively, but I think he was a little less effective this season on the "team level" because he had to play catch-up for Swanigan's errors a lot. Swanigan needs to improve defensively - we shouldn't change because of that, he needs to get up to where he should be defensively and I'm sure he will work very hard on that. And as for Hammons leaving, now you'll see Haas, who is a different style defender than Hammons (more so bodied up than roaming). Haas won't be as good as Hammons was, but if Swanigan improves, our overall interior defense can still be just as intimidating.

Overall, I think we'll see more action from the perimeter next year. Davis was not a good driver - love the guy, but he had to have set a record for missed layups. Mathias/Cline will continue to get better (and Cline can be a guy who does more than just shoots 3s). Edwards will continue to get better - and his perimeter game improved this last season and will continue to.

So naturally, when you're returning a bulk of your players, you're going to see improvements. I don't think any adjustment in focus is really necessary in that situation.

 

[BBG]

But again, I don't get where the urge comes from. We don't have many "pure" shooters. We do have some very good defensive players. So why would we focus less on something we can be good at?

The very best teams are also very good defensive teams. Villanova was a great defensive team. Syracuse was also ahead of us and Oklahoma was pretty solid as well.

Purdue has changed its style with rule changes throughout the past few seasons. They play better pure defense now than we used to (i.e. taking risks/steals). You can still play good defense with the rule changes.

As for Hammons/Davis leaving, there were good defensive players before them too. Hammons was a great player defensively, but I think he was a little less effective this season on the "team level" because he had to play catch-up for Swanigan's errors a lot. Swanigan needs to improve defensively - we shouldn't change because of that, he needs to get up to where he should be defensively and I'm sure he will work very hard on that. And as for Hammons leaving, now you'll see Haas, who is a different style defender than Hammons (more so bodied up than roaming). Haas won't be as good as Hammons was, but if Swanigan improves, our overall interior defense can still be just as intimidating.

Overall, I think we'll see more action from the perimeter next year. Davis was not a good driver - love the guy, but he had to have set a record for missed layups. Mathias/Cline will continue to get better (and Cline can be a guy who does more than just shoots 3s). Edwards will continue to get better - and his perimeter game improved this last season and will continue to.

So naturally, when you're returning a bulk of your players, you're going to see improvements. I don't think any adjustment in focus is really necessary in that situation.

Fair enough. I'm not expressing my thought clear enough I guess and I'll leave it at what I have already said as to not cloud it further.

 

[lbodel]

Fair enough. I'm not expressing my thought clear enough I guess and I'll leave it at what I have already said as to not cloud it further.

I get what you're saying, but I also think a lot of that has already happened and isn't viewed as much as "concentrating" more or whatever you want to call it - just adjusting to the rules and to your personnel. Our offense will be different when you have a guy like Davis not being in the line-up, for example.

 

[BoilerBiker]

They play better pure defense now than we used to (i.e. taking risks/steals)

Our rebounding is astronomically better (and even FG % defense),
but Purdue now ranks 336th in steals/game and 343rd in TOs forced.

 

[Cleanface]

Caleb played hard every minute last season. Caused no trouble on and off the court. Was a rebounding machine. He was well-spoken and a credit to the University. He did this all during what should have been his senior year in high school. Anyone who says they don't mind losing players like this have a screw loose.

 

[BoilerBiker]

I get what you're saying, but I also think a lot of that has already happened and isn't viewed as much as "concentrating" more or whatever you want to call it - just adjusting to the rules and to your personnel. Our offense will be different when you have a guy like Davis not being in the line-up, for example.

Yeah,
Like the mathias/Cline thread, I think coach is not changing his philosophy or anything, just playing his best guys (being smart with the ball, knowing where/what to do, and executing his system).
It just happens that DM and RC are known more for their offense than defense.... so far, as their D will continue to improve anyway (hopefully at RD levels ha)

 

[lbodel]

Our rebounding is astronomically better (and even FG % defense),
but Purdue now ranks 336th in steals/game and 343rd in TOs forced.

This is exactly how Purdue has changed defensively. Purdue used to take a lot of risks and played very physically. Now they are playing very clean defense. Not that there was anything wrong with how they were, but they've clearly adjusted to the changing rules and the coaches have done a great job staying successful in doing so.

 

[BBG]

This is exactly how Purdue has changed defensively. Purdue used to take a lot of risks and played very physically. Now they are playing very clean defense. Not that there was anything wrong with how they were, but they've clearly adjusted to the changing rules and the coaches have done a great job staying successful in doing so.

Sorry to derail this thread Hud but thanks guys for the enlightening discussion. Clearly my perception does not equal reality.

 

[djy2j]

Sources saying 4 p.m. decision announcement for Caleb Swanigan: #Purdue or NBA Draft.

 

[BBG]

Sources saying 4 p.m. decision announcement for Caleb Swanigan: #Purdue or NBA Draft.

Good... at least it will be over.

 

[djy2j]

Biggie stays!

 

[djy2j]

 

[Dakota Girl]

I wonder if actually we'll see "less" defense next season and more focus on offense. Now, we'll of course see a drop off in D because of losing Davis and AJH .. but I also wonder if we'll see a more offensive minded team aside from that because of the rule changes.

If Swanigan comes back and improves like he should, we stand to maybe even be a better team than last season. But for different reasons.... I think we all hope for that anyway and it would seem we have the weapons to do it.

Not sure what Biggie will do... but as someone else said in another thread, what he is doing is exactly what you get with 5* recruits. So if he decides to go to the NBA, it wouldn't shock me one bit. Everyone and their grandmother thinks he should come back, but ultimately he needs to do what he thinks is best for him. We will either be very, very good with him.. or really good without. Our cupboard is far from bare.

Davis and Hammons are big defensive losses for sure. And i don't want to say that losing Biggie is good. But based on last seasons performance Biggie tended to be a defensive liability against a skilled 4, especially a stretch 4. It is possible that the Boilers could be a better defensive team without him. If he does not come back we will never know what he may have improved and what that might have done for us. I will say this. If I'm Matt and he does come back, he would improve on defense or he might find more pine time. At this point I would not feel that I owe him anything. Play for Purdue and do what Purdue needs or don't play.

 

[Dakota Girl]

Davis and Hammons are big defensive losses for sure. And i don't want to say that losing Biggie is good. But based on last seasons performance Biggie tended to be a defensive liability against a skilled 4, especially a stretch 4. It is possible that the Boilers could be a better defensive team without him. If he does not come back we will never know what he may have improved and what that might have done for us. I will say this. If I'm Matt and he does come back, he would improve on defense or he might find more pine time. At this point I would not feel that I owe him anything. Play for Purdue and do what Purdue needs or don't play.

Well now we get to find out what he is able to improve! Good.

 

[purdue4sure]

Agree. I would hope that Taylor can play the 5 or maybe even a late transfer instead of Biggie for the same reason you mention here. Last thing we need is a disconnect because Biggie knows he is only there one more season and decides to make it all about him because he plays the 5 too much. I don't see that attitude in him from interviews he has done, but you never know.

This is what I am hoping. If Taylor has gained some basketball savvy to go with his athletic gifts, Purdue will be very, very good.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

He did that at times last season, but the whole crux of the matter is that Swanigan has always said that he wants to play the 4 at Purdue. If Painter plays him at the 5 too much, he might start tuning him out. That's like the pro's and con's of Swanigan in a microcosm: extremely driven, a hard-worker, a skilled rebounder, and a good interior passer but a little bit inflexible and stubborn at times. He definitely wants to be THE guy to take the last shot in close games, which is great. However, I don't know if he can tell the difference between what good and bad plays are in those situations.

Yes, but I think a as clearly sees the success that an undersized center in Draymond Green has had with the Warriors, and can be schemed around to be a outside-in 'center' when needed. The intriguing aspect of next season comes in the form of Taylor and if he plays the 5 with CS continuing at the 4. That is two very big frontline players who move well AND can shoot from outside enough to warrant all five players from the opposing teams stepping out to the arc. That could truly lead to guys like Vince, Carsen, Spike, Smotherman, and Dakota (to a lesser extent) having a more open lane to operate in.

An intriguing lineup would be:
1: Spike
2: Dakota
3: Vince
4: Biggie
5: Taylor

With that lineup, you could force a switch by the defense to get the poorer perimeter defender against Swanigan and allow him room to work while getting Edwards, Spike, and Dakota on the opposite side in some fashion to allow Biggir a chance to find an open shooter as he has great passing skills. This returning lineup allows more flexibility...now if Kostas comes to Purdue, CMP could easily slide Kostas in with Biggir at the 5 and really create some mismatch problems.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

This is what I am hoping. If Taylor has gained some basketball savvy to go with his athletic gifts, Purdue will be very, very good.

In the time that Taylor saw the floor, I saw a guy who could give Purdue 10-12 minutes of quality playing time...if he can do that and give 5 and 5 a night, Haas and Biggie are allowed time to rest and be fresh for the final 8 minutes of the game. That is the biggest key for the big guys next year.