Taylor, Ewing have 80 minutes after 13 games

[Born Boiler]

Taylor has played only 53 minutes and Ewing just 27 for the season, meaning depth at forward will be lacking for the Big Ten, when opposing front lines are bigger and better than what the preconference has offered.

Vince is great, but he is a wing, prone to fouls inside, and even when not, he needs relief. The twin towers lineup has been limited to brief segments, due to endurance and foul risks. They have to alternate at center. And Eifert won’t work against the likes of Sparty. That leaves Taylor and Ewing as the only reserves with the length and athleticism to provide actual help at forward.

Now, with just 80 minutes left before league play, against two of the less notorious opponents, Taylor and Ewing should get major minutes of game time, because inevitably they’ll be needed up front when the league zebras take over and start whistling out our few bangers.

 

[boiler_89_]

Taylor has played only 53 minutes and Ewing just 27 for the season, meaning depth at forward will be lacking for the Big Ten, when opposing front lines are bigger and better than what the preconference has offered.

Vince is great, but he is a wing, prone to fouls inside, and even when not, he needs relief. The twin towers lineup has been limited to brief segments, due to endurance and foul risks. They have to alternate at center. And Eifert won’t work against the likes of Sparty. That leaves Taylor and Ewing as the only reserves with the length and athleticism to provide actual help at forward.

Now, with just 80 minutes left before league play, against two of the less notorious opponents, Taylor and Ewing should get major minutes of game time, because inevitably they’ll be needed up front when the league zebras take over and start whistling out our few bangers.

Have you mentioned this to Matt?

 

[jadeezra]

Lol

 

[dumpsterFyre]

Have you mentioned this to Matt?

I lol'd

 

[Born Boiler]

Have you mentioned this to Matt?

Haarms already knows.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Taylor has played only 53 minutes and Ewing just 27 for the season, meaning depth at forward will be lacking for the Big Ten, when opposing front lines are bigger and better than what the preconference has offered.

Vince is great, but he is a wing, prone to fouls inside, and even when not, he needs relief. The twin towers lineup has been limited to brief segments, due to endurance and foul risks. They have to alternate at center. And Eifert won’t work against the likes of Sparty. That leaves Taylor and Ewing as the only reserves with the length and athleticism to provide actual help at forward.

Now, with just 80 minutes left before league play, against two of the less notorious opponents, Taylor and Ewing should get major minutes of game time, because inevitably they’ll be needed up front when the league zebras take over and start whistling out our few bangers.

 

[blg430]

You must not have noticed....Eifert comes in before Taylor and Ewing. I wonder how many minutes he has? Haarms>Eifert>Taylor/Ewing at the forward position to spell Edwards

 

[tjreese]

Have you mentioned this to Matt?

I really do wonder now that Purdue is through a few tough games "if" they will get more minutes...I hope and hope they are minutes with regular players a bit..watching carefully that the chemistry doesn't go astray...which these guys have played enough I would like to think they would get it back quickly if lost...

 

[ejs1111]

most teams only go 8 deep with major minutes... MAYBE 9. Our rotation is set- it has been pretty obvious for a month now.
1-5
Haas, VEd, Mathias, CEd, PJ
6-8
Haarms, Cline, Eastern
9
Eifert
10
Taylor

I for one am very comfortable with our team and bench. I think we have solid depth. If I had ANY concern- it would be offensive output from the bench aside from Cline. But we rarely have our entire bench on the floor without a scoring starter in the game with them.

 

[FirstDownB]

Taylor has played only 53 minutes and Ewing just 27 for the season, meaning depth at forward will be lacking for the Big Ten, when opposing front lines are bigger and better than what the preconference has offered.

Vince is great, but he is a wing, prone to fouls inside, and even when not, he needs relief. The twin towers lineup has been limited to brief segments, due to endurance and foul risks. They have to alternate at center. And Eifert won’t work against the likes of Sparty. That leaves Taylor and Ewing as the only reserves with the length and athleticism to provide actual help at forward.

Now, with just 80 minutes left before league play, against two of the less notorious opponents, Taylor and Ewing should get major minutes of game time, because inevitably they’ll be needed up front when the league zebras take over and start whistling out our few bangers.

I've posted a couple times about this, but as others have stated the writing has been on the wall for awhile now. The staff is going to ride the 8 man rotation, with Eifert as the contingency 9th man.

So why not play JT and EE a bit more in 30-40 point blowouts? There are a few possible explanations:
(1) Taylor/Ewing are just that far behind at this point in time
(2) Garbage time against lower quality opponents does not provide meaningful experience
(3) The main rotation guys need the work

I do hope we are not underestimating the importance of #2. I get the point about going up against better players on their own team in practice every day, but there is nothing like playing in front of a full house. I am not too concerned about this year, but whether this is a harbinger for their ability to contribute next year.. Time will tell.

 

[ejs1111]

Well I look at it like this:

CMP knows that in the meat of the schedule he is only going to play 8 guys like he normally does (and like most D1 coaches do)... 9 in a pinch. So he uses practice to determine which players are 'worthy' of non-conference playing time. He used non-conference to give Haarms, Eastern, and Eifert as many minutes as possible to get THEM ready for the conference schedule. I believe its safe to assume those 2-3 players separated themselves from the rest in practice and games as 'worthy' of the 6-8(9) rotation spots. Cline was already worthy of a spot and has done nothing to lose it.
Why would he waste meaningful minutes developing players who he doesn't intend on playing on a regular basis? He did use meaningful minutes for Eifert- who is likely the 9th off the bench. CMP knows who his best 8-9 players are, and he gave them the most minutes, in an effort to maximize their readiness for conference play.

If you have a car with a flat tire and a broken radio, and you need to get to work the next day... which ONE do you fix?

The answer to both the bball question and the car question seem obvious to me *shrugs*

 

[BoilerAndy]

most teams only go 8 deep with major minutes... MAYBE 9. Our rotation is set- it has been pretty obvious for a month now.
1-5
Haas, VEd, Mathias, CEd, PJ
6-8
Haarms, Cline, Eastern
9
Eifert
10
Taylor

I for one am very comfortable with our team and bench. I think we have solid depth. If I had ANY concern- it would be offensive output from the bench aside from Cline. But we rarely have our entire bench on the floor without a scoring starter in the game with them.

Occasionally a player will improve through the season and earn more playing time, or even a spot in the rotation. Sometimes it's because productivity of a player ahead of him drops off or, God forbid, gets injured. I would like to see the team continue building depth.

 

[mathboy]

Occasionally a player will improve through the season and earn more playing time, or even a spot in the rotation. Sometimes it's because productivity of a player ahead of him drops off or, God forbid, gets injured. I would like to see the team continue building depth.

I think last year, Cline played and practiced well enough to grab the starting spot from C-Boogie. That is not going to happen this year of course. C-Boogie has it together at both ends of the court. I do think that either Taylor or Ewing might improve enough to garner a spot in the rotation ahead of Eifert, but that is going to take some effort on their part.

Eifert is polished enough to play within his own skills, and within the defensive/offensive system Painter uses. He is not as athletic as the two boys behind him, so they will probably catch him if they play/practice hard & smart enough. You might even see it as the BIG season unfolds. I council patience. We all see the individual skills these players have, but molding them into a cohesive team is the real trick.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Occasionally a player will improve through the season and earn more playing time, or even a spot in the rotation. Sometimes it's because productivity of a player ahead of him drops off or, God forbid, gets injured. I would like to see the team continue building depth.

I think what you mention would be Taylor and I think most people on this board realize that could be the case considering he had to sit out an entire month of prep work before the season. Given he had not truly played any meaningful basketball in two years, there is obvious rust and timing issues that need to be played out of...the unfortunate thing is that won't happen this season UNLESS Purdue gets some blow out wins in the conference season and have a need to rest Haarms more and more. The non-con slate was needed to get Haarms up to speed more so than Taylor.

 

[mathboy]

I read some of these posts and think it is odd. Do these posters not realize that every day Taylor and Ewing go up against a top 20 team in practice? It is not like they stand around until game day, then hope to get in there and play a little in a blow out - well they do, but that is not the extent of their practice. I don't worry they are not getting minutes in blowout games right now. Painter is an excellent evaluator of talent. He knows what he is doing.

Taylor spends hours trying to score over and defend against Haas and Haarms. That will eventually make him a hell of a player, or expose his fundamental weaknesses. Same with Ewing. The Ewing we see next year will not look like the Ewing we see right now. Same goes for Wheeler. Those red-shirt guys are still practicing with the team everyday too.

 

[boilerzz]

Do these posters not realize that every day Taylor and Ewing go up against a top 20 team in practice? It is not like they stand around until game day, then hope to get in there and play a little in a blow out - well they do, but that is not the extent of their practice.

 

[MONROvÆ]

I absolutely love armchair coaches, endless entertainment.

You're not smarter than Matt. You also don't get to see practice every day and how these guys are doing off the court. Just stop, you look like fools.

 

[BoilerBiker]

8 seems good his year

10 deep... people complained it was too many, diluted minutes.

6 deep... like matta used to do, seems way too thin

 

[B-Westy]

Remember when Matta played 6 guys and won 200+ games in 7 years and went to two Final Fours.

Purdue is going to be fine.

 

[tjreese]

most teams only go 8 deep with major minutes... MAYBE 9. Our rotation is set- it has been pretty obvious for a month now.
1-5
Haas, VEd, Mathias, CEd, PJ
6-8
Haarms, Cline, Eastern
9
Eifert
10
Taylor

I for one am very comfortable with our team and bench. I think we have solid depth. If I had ANY concern- it would be offensive output from the bench aside from Cline. But we rarely have our entire bench on the floor without a scoring starter in the game with them.

The bench is fine if there is no desire to experiment at length with the twin towers. If that is to be a work in progress...Purdue needs to find Taylor some minutes and if not a work in progress...the rotation and minutes are probably close to what they will be the rest of the season...

 

[asmith640]

Taylor has played only 53 minutes and Ewing just 27 for the season, meaning depth at forward will be lacking for the Big Ten, when opposing front lines are bigger and better than what the preconference has offered.

Vince is great, but he is a wing, prone to fouls inside, and even when not, he needs relief. The twin towers lineup has been limited to brief segments, due to endurance and foul risks. They have to alternate at center. And Eifert won’t work against the likes of Sparty. That leaves Taylor and Ewing as the only reserves with the length and athleticism to provide actual help at forward.

Now, with just 80 minutes left before league play, against two of the less notorious opponents, Taylor and Ewing should get major minutes of game time, because inevitably they’ll be needed up front when the league zebras take over and start whistling out our few bangers.

Watching Taylor in games, he runs the floor, goes to his designated position in the developing play, but just looks like he has no fire or drive to kick ass on the court. He use to be so animated on the sidelines during a great play, and I am not seeing it in the games.

Maybe he's thinking too much?? Maybe afraid to make a mistake?? Who knows but him.

But from my barstool yelling at a television screen, it looks like he's pretty low on competitive juices when on the court.

 

[boilerzz]

Watching Taylor in games, he runs the floor, goes to his designated position in the developing play, but just looks like he has no fire or drive to kick ass on the court. He use to be so animated on the sidelines during a great play, and I am not seeing it in the games.

Maybe he's thinking too much?? Maybe afraid to make a mistake?? Who knows but him.

But from my barstool yelling at a television screen, it looks like he's pretty low on competitive juices when on the court.

He strikes me as being hesitant due to physical concerns more so than competitive fire. But that's just speculative.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

He strikes me as being hesitant due to physical concerns more so than competitive fire. But that's just speculative.

I agree on two counts here.....First, I think given the injury situation (back in the boot after playing a lot of the summer combined with what JT went through in high school and most of his time at Purdue), no matter how competitive, there has to be some doubt/uncertainty....just human nature.....and we can only imagine the ups and downs he's experienced getting to be cleared.....Second, totally speculative.

I'm still wishing the best for him and holding out hope that JT eventually becomes a key contributor......I expect most have tempered expectations.

 

[nagemj02]

Remember when Matta played 6 guys and won 200+ games in 7 years and went to two Final Fours.

Purdue is going to be fine.

Matta's Final Four teams (2007 and 2012) went with rotations deeper than 6. It was some of his relatively lesser teams that used a 6 man rotation.

 

[Fansince72]

After watching JT in the WUG ,I am sure that there is nothing wrong with his competitive game. The 1 thing that I didn't get to see was Matt Haarms. MH has been an incredible surprise. I don't have any qualms about bringing in JT whenever he is needed. What a luxury to have on the bench someone with Taylor's abilities.

 

[Wolegib]

We said before the season if V Edwards played PF and we went with a 3 guard rotation of PJ, Carsen and Mathais, there would basically be only 20-25 minutes left for our back-ups at PF and C. and if Edwards didn't play PF, and we went to a twin towers, that would mean either Mathias or C Edwards would receive fewer minutes to accommodate a twin towers.

the end result after the WUG was that Purdue would go with a backcourt of three, and V Edwards and Haas would be our front court.

That left 20-25 minutes for Haarms, Grady, Ewing and Taylor. and I believe it's obvious the two players who have stepped up to actually lay claim to those 20-25 mins have been Haarms and Grady. neither Taylor or Ewing have done anything this year to really prove they are more deserving of playing time over Haarms. and no, I'm not buying Ewing arrived late and had to learn the system, and Ewing played zone last year. As he's learned the system, his playing time has actually shrunk, not increased..

And looking at next year, I believe Painter will probably still go with a 3 guard and 2 big rotation.

So there will be 80 minutes to split between Haarms, Taylor, Ewing, Dow and Tre and maybe Wheeler. I believe Wheeler may see some time at the wing. Of that bunch, I can easily see Haarms and Tre getting 20 minutes each. and that would leave 40 minutes for Ewing, Taylor, Wheeler, Dow, Grady and maybe another recruit to share. We will have a lot of talent next year and maybe a couple of experienced transfers to add to that mix.

in other words, if Taylor and Ewing don't start showing something this year, I highly doubt they will receive any additional minutes next year. I can easily project Wheeler and Dow will each receive 10-15 minutes leaving 10-15 minutes left for Taylor, Ewing and Grady to fight for.

What Taylor and Ewing do this year will determine if their services will be required next year. I was a a big fan of both players. but I'm also a big fan of Haarms, Dow, Tre and Wheeler.

 

[Born Boiler]

We said before the season if V Edwards played PF and we went with a 3 guard rotation of PJ, Carsen and Mathais, there would basically be only 20-25 minutes left for our back-ups at PF and C. and if Edwards didn't play PF, and we went to a twin towers, that would mean either Mathias or C Edwards would receive fewer minutes to accommodate a twin towers.

the end result after the WUG was that Purdue would go with a backcourt of three, and V Edwards and Haas would be our front court.

That left 20-25 minutes for Haarms, Grady, Ewing and Taylor. and I believe it's obvious the two players who have stepped up to actually lay claim to those 20-25 mins have been Haarms and Grady. neither Taylor or Ewing have done anything this year to really prove they are more deserving of playing time over Haarms. and no, I'm not buying Ewing arrived late and had to learn the system, and Ewing played zone last year. As he's learned the system, his playing time has actually shrunk, not increased..

And looking at next year, I believe Painter will probably still go with a 3 guard and 2 big rotation.

So there will be 80 minutes to split between Haarms, Taylor, Ewing, Dow and Tre and maybe Wheeler. I believe Wheeler may see some time at the wing. Of that bunch, I can easily see Haarms and Tre getting 20 minutes each. and that would leave 40 minutes for Ewing, Taylor, Wheeler, Dow, Grady and maybe another recruit to share. We will have a lot of talent next year and maybe a couple of experienced transfers to add to that mix.

in other words, if Taylor and Ewing don't start showing something this year, I highly doubt they will receive any additional minutes next year. I can easily project Wheeler and Dow will each receive 10-15 minutes leaving 10-15 minutes left for Taylor, Ewing and Grady to fight for.

What Taylor and Ewing do this year will determine if their services will be required next year. I was a a big fan of both players. but I'm also a big fan of Haarms, Dow, Tre and Wheeler.

In other words, you think Eifert can handle Bridges or Murphy. I don't. We won't see Chicago State in the Big Ten.

 

[mathboy]

In other words, you think Eifert can handle Bridges or Murphy. I don't. We won't see Chicago State in the Big Ten.

so, let's see here. You are comparing our third string forward who rarely plays to two MSU starters on the #2 team in the country? Really?

The deal here is you are imagining the worst possible situation and then questioning our ability to accommodate it. That is wrong on so many levels that it defies a logical answer. Sorry, but at least Eifert knows where to be on defense, and he can run the offense. Right now neither JT nor Ewing are as good in playing as a team member. This is a team game. Individual talent doesn't cut it.

 

[Wolegib]

In other words, you think Eifert can handle Bridges or Murphy. I don't. We won't see Chicago State in the Big Ten.

No I don't. .But Grady isn't our starter and won't be next year either. And yes, I do believe our starters named Edwards and Haas can handle Bridges and Murphy, and I highly doubt Bridges will be around next year

I didn't say anywhere that Grady should start. I said we had 20-25 minutes to divide amongst our bench players. And of our bench players, Haarms and Grady were the most deserving of those minutes.

and if we have a close game against MSU, I fully expect Haas and V Edwards to both play 30+ minutes.

 

[Born Boiler]

so, let's see here. You are comparing our third string forward who rarely plays to two MSU starters on the #2 team in the country? Really?

The deal here is you are imagining the worst possible situation and then questioning our ability to accommodate it. That is wrong on so many levels that it defies a logical answer. Sorry, but at least Eifert knows where to be on defense, and he can run the offense. Right now neither JT nor Ewing are as good in playing as a team member. This is a team game. Individual talent doesn't cut it.

Really -- we will have foul trouble against those front lines, if Big Ten officiating remains the same as it has the past 50 years -- and we will be stuck at backup forward with a glorified student manager whose claim to fame is making spoon-fed layups against Chicago State and SIUE. Knows where to be on defense? He'll be so lost against Sparty and Goldie that he'll end up on a milk carton. Taylor or Ewing are the only backups with half a chance to defend what we'll be seeing when Vince picks up two quick fouls.

 

[Wolegib]

Really -- we will have foul trouble against those front lines, if Big Ten officiating remains the same as it has the past 50 years -- and we will be stuck at backup forward with a glorified student manager whose claim to fame is making spoon-fed layups against Chicago State and SIUE. Knows where to be on defense? He'll be so lost against Sparty and Goldie that he'll end up on a milk carton. Taylor or Ewing are the only backups with half a chance to defend what we'll be seeing when Vince picks up two quick fouls.

So what's your point? That we need to play Taylor and Ewing 30 minutes each ? this thread was originally about how little minutes Taylor and Ewing are receiving. I'm quite certain if Haas and/or Vince get into foul trouble, Ewing and Taylor will play. but it appears now that Haarms will be our first option and Cline is our second option and Eastern is our third option. Will Grady be used before Ewing and Taylor ?? I really don't care about the use of our bench after Haarms, Cline and Eastern. You realize you're crying and arguing about our 9th man on the bench, right? . and that's really important, right? .

 

[mathboy]

Really -- we will have foul trouble against those front lines, if Big Ten officiating remains the same as it has the past 50 years -- and we will be stuck at backup forward with a glorified student manager whose claim to fame is making spoon-fed layups against Chicago State and SIUE. Knows where to be on defense? He'll be so lost against Sparty and Goldie that he'll end up on a milk carton. Taylor or Ewing are the only backups with half a chance to defend what we'll be seeing when Vince picks up two quick fouls.

If we get into the situation you describe, yes, we will be in trouble. I laughed at your milk carton comment. Thanks for the humor! I don't know why you throw Tommy Luce into the discussion. Seems irrelevant to discussing who our 3rd string forward should be.

I get that you are saying Taylor or Ewing could be a better choice than Eifert. You are right on a one-on-one basis, I suppose. However, that is not the game we play. It is 5-on-5, and everyone of those 5 better know where to be. Why do you think Eifert is ahead of Taylor and Ewing right now? Do you think that situation is fixed, or will it change as those two guys get more understanding of the game plan?

 

[Wolegib]

If we get into the situation you describe, yes, we will be in trouble. I laughed at your milk carton comment. Thanks for the humor! I don't know why you throw Tommy Luce into the discussion. Seems irrelevant to discussing who our 3rd string forward should be.

I get that you are saying Taylor or Ewing could be a better choice than Eifert. You are right on a one-on-one basis, I suppose. However, that is not the game we play. It is 5-on-5, and everyone of those 5 better know where to be. Why do you think Eifert is ahead of Taylor and Ewing right now? Do you think that situation is fixed, or will it change as those two guys get more understanding of the game plan?

I will agree, but that is a very troubling statement. Do you believe grady is receiving more playing time because Taylor does not have an understanding our game plan? Taylor is not a freshman, or a juco or a transfer. yes he's had multiple injuries. but I would hope and had hoped by now he'd have an understanding of our game plan. Talent and height can only take you so far. Painter has always been about TEAM verses individual effort.

I'm more of a stats person, and haven't really watched the games with an eye really focused specifically on Taylor's or Ewing's efforts/contributions. We're past the time for both Ewing and Taylor to understand the game plan. if they don't understand it by now and their role in that plan, I doubt they ever will.

 

[Gold&Black]

I think Taylor is just gun-shy. As much as he's been hurt throughout his career and just getting out of the boot again has to have a psychological effect on him, especially in mop up time. I'll take him as our 4th or 5th big though if we need him. What year of school is he in? Will he be back next year?

Ewing is a different story. He was a Juco IIRC who had never played man defense and arrived later in the summer. He's still learning and I believe by next year he'll be a role player for us. I think he was also a contingency plan against injuries, Haarms not working out as well as he has, etc. I'll take him in that role and when his D comes around and he stops going for a steal on every possession he'll be able to get more minutes, thus spelling H&H block down the stretch.

I really like all the guys on this year's team and the way they act like a family. They are up there with the baby Boilers, the Big Dog team, the Three Amigos the '80 JBC team and the Mount/Bavis team.

Even though we lose four seniors next year, we have potentially high impact freshmen coming in next year along with 2 RSs. It's a good time to be a Boiler.

 

[Dakota Girl]

I read some of these posts and think it is odd. Do these posters not realize that every day Taylor and Ewing go up against a top 20 team in practice? It is not like they stand around until game day, then hope to get in there and play a little in a blow out - well they do, but that is not the extent of their practice. I don't worry they are not getting minutes in blowout games right now. Painter is an excellent evaluator of talent. He knows what he is doing.

Taylor spends hours trying to score over and defend against Haas and Haarms. That will eventually make him a hell of a player, or expose his fundamental weaknesses. Same with Ewing. The Ewing we see next year will not look like the Ewing we see right now. Same goes for Wheeler. Those red-shirt guys are still practicing with the team everyday too.

Yep. It would be great to see EE or JT jump up and match their physical potential with actual basketball success and the ones who want that happen most are the staff. When it does they will play.

 

[Wolegib]

Yep. It would be great to see EE or JT jump up and match their physical potential with actual basketball success and the ones who want that happen most are the staff. When it does they will play.

I totally agree. We are all pulling for Taylor and Ewing to succeed. Nobody is saying anything truly negative about them. But it appears as if Haarms and Grady have stepped up to grab that available playing time. I can't really say Grady is better than either wing or Taylor. But I can say Haarms has looked impressive in the minutes he's played. We all talk about opportunity.. haarms has stepped up and earned the minutes he's received.