The Future

[dumpsterFyre]

The game tonight has made me very optimistic for the future! Jacquil will play significant minutes the next three years. With another available grad transfer, we can have just as good, if not better, team next year.

We graduate two huge pieces on the defensive end (the two best defensive players in the B1G), but the firepower we bring back is amazing. Cline is going to be really good next year, and Jacquil will be a serviceable backup post next to Swanigan.

PG Thompson/Edwards (even)
SG Mathias/Cline (offensive upgrade, defensive downgrade--even)
SF VEdwards/Stephens (upgrade by experience)
PF Swanigan/Smotherman (upgrade by experience)
C Haas/Taylor (downgrade, but Isaac gets more experience and plays 30 min a game *heavy breathing*)

Way too early prediction for 2016-17: Pre-season Top 20, Elite Eight or better finish

 

[GodFamilyCountryPurdue]

The game tonight has made me very optimistic for the future! Jacquil will play significant minutes the next three years. With another available grad transfer, we can have just as good, if not better, team next year.

We graduate two huge pieces on the defensive end (the two best defensive players in the B1G), but the firepower we bring back is amazing. Cline is going to be really good next year, and Jacquil will be a serviceable backup post next to Swanigan.

PG Thompson/Edwards (even)
SG Mathias/Cline (offensive upgrade, defensive downgrade--even)
SF VEdwards/Stephens (upgrade by experience)
PF Swanigan/Smotherman (upgrade by experience)
C Haas/Taylor (downgrade, but Isaac gets more experience and plays 30 min a game *heavy breathing*)

Way too early prediction for 2016-17: Pre-season Top 20, Elite Eight or better finish

I just don't understand why people think JT is a 5. He's a 4.

 

[dumpsterFyre]

I just don't understand why people think JT is a 5. He's a 4.

That's what you got from my post?

He played some 5 today. Am I wrong?

 

[cprh9u]

Good game by Taylor. It was against one of the worst power conference teams in the country, so it's hard to know how much to take away from it. Nonetheless, glad to see him do well. Hopefully our guys come to play over a pretty tough stretch of games we have coming up!

 

[tjreese]

Good game by Taylor. It was against one of the worst power conference teams in the country, so it's hard to know how much to take away from it. Nonetheless, glad to see him do well. Hopefully our guys come to play over a pretty tough stretch of games we have coming up!

I do think he will grow into a good player

 

[GodFamilyCountryPurdue]

That's what you got from my post?

He played some 5 today. Am I wrong?

You mentioned JT 3 times in your post. Twice you said he was a 5 or will be a 5 next year. Biggie has played some 5, too. Is he a 5? I simply pointed out that I didn't understand why people think he's a 5. He's not. He's a 4.

 

[dumpsterFyre]

I said he was a "post player NEXT to Swanigan," versus specifically saying he was a center. I listed him behind Haas because I wasn't going to list them redundantly as a PF. I listed Smotherman as a PF for the same reason.

Why are you nitpicking?

 

[Dakota Girl]

I just don't understand why people think JT is a 5. He's a 4.

Taylor in a backup role to Haas can play offensively as a stretch 4 or stretch 5. The number is not relevant. He should be able to guard almost any teams backup center or power forward. It just means they play differently with JT than with IH. It could be very effective.

 

[BBG]

I don't get the reason some have to just crap on threads. Seriously people relax a little

I've mentioned it before that we COULD be even better next season. JT and Basil are back, get a decent 5th year center and hopefully Edwards can shone early and often.

But this season isn't over and still can be a great one!

 

[lbodel]

Good game by Taylor. It was against one of the worst power conference teams in the country, so it's hard to know how much to take away from it. Nonetheless, glad to see him do well. Hopefully our guys come to play over a pretty tough stretch of games we have coming up!

Agreed - the competition was bad and Rutgers didn't have much interior presence at all. That being said, he still looked "comfortable" out there which is not always easy for a new big guy.

 

[GodFamilyCountryPurdue]

I said he was a "post player NEXT to Swanigan," versus specifically saying he was a center. I listed him behind Haas because I wasn't going to list them redundantly as a PF. I listed Smotherman as a PF for the same reason.

Why are you nitpicking?

Because its not just you. Its a common misconception on this board that JT is a center. I'm simply stating that he is not a center. Listen to Ray's video after the game. Even the reporter asking the question at the end of the interview assumes Taylor is a center (not sure if it was GBI or not). Ray was talking about JT being stuck behind a really good player as to why he doesn't get much playing time. The reporter said "2 really good players" (meaning Hammons and Haas). Ray corrects him by saying, "yeah, Biggie and Edwards."

 

[DG10]

The game tonight has made me very optimistic for the future! Jacquil will play significant minutes the next three years. With another available grad transfer, we can have just as good, if not better, team next year.

We graduate two huge pieces on the defensive end (the two best defensive players in the B1G), but the firepower we bring back is amazing. Cline is going to be really good next year, and Jacquil will be a serviceable backup post next to Swanigan.

PG Thompson/Edwards (even)
SG Mathias/Cline (offensive upgrade, defensive downgrade--even)
SF VEdwards/Stephens (upgrade by experience)
PF Swanigan/Smotherman (upgrade by experience)
C Haas/Taylor (downgrade, but Isaac gets more experience and plays 30 min a game *heavy breathing*)

Way too early prediction for 2016-17: Pre-season Top 20, Elite Eight or better finish

No way this team is better with the graduation of Davis and Hammons...still a deep team and a talented team, but not better (especially in that this team struggles at the defensive end, and that is with those two guys...the team's two best defenders).

Taylor had a really nice game last night...score and the fact that he was playing back "close" to home were what allowed that to happen...but given the competition (or lack thereof) and that Rutgers had absolutely no size, the performance needs to be kept in perspective as well...enjoyed and celebrated certainly, but kept in perspective.

 

[Chuchumutha]

We'll be good for the next two years after this year. Beyond that??? Well that's dependent on Matt's recruiting success in 2017 & 2018.

 

[Heller]

Hammons will be a huge loss but we may be able to upgrade the PG with Edwards. As to Taylor he can play both positions but is likely a four if there was room. If he improves his handle he could even play the three.

 

[*4purdue*]

I just don't understand why people think JT is a 5. He's a 4.

Like it or not, people play out of position at Purdue all the time. If Haas is in foul trouble next year, he probably will play the 5, especially with the log jam we have at the 4. If I were JT, I would focus on bulking up this year. No matter what he plays, he needs to get stronger to play in the B1G.

 

[JBoiler14]

Am I the only one who thinks that Smotherman might replace Davis one the wing? I wouldn't be surprised to see a line up at one point similar to this

PJ / Edwards
Basil
Vince
Biggie
Haas


With PJ/Vince and Biggie all shooting a decent % from three spacing shouldnt be that big of an issue. Especially if Basil works like he says he has, and shoots similarly to the few warm ups I've seen this season

 

[*4purdue*]

Am I the only one who thinks that Smotherman might replace Davis one the wing? I wouldn't be surprised to see a line up at one point similar to this

PJ / Edwards
Basil
Vince
Biggie
Haas


With PJ/Vince and Biggie all shooting a decent % from three spacing shouldnt be that big of an issue. Especially if Basil works like he says he has, and shoots similarly to the few warm ups I've seen this season

Only if he becomes a defensive stopper.

 

[dumpsterFyre]

Basil definitely has tools to become our next great defensive player.

 

[JBoiler14]

Only if he becomes a defensive stopper.

He's already more of a defensive stopper than Cline or Mathias...

 

[mryankee2397]

if we dont get another big in the off season, taylor will have to play the 5 as haas's backup. who else would we put in?

 

[Dakota Girl]

if we dont get another big in the off season, taylor will have to play the 5 as haas's backup. who else would we put in?

Yes. And it could be a good thing too. It could help this team deal with stretch fives like Iowa hurts us with when they pull Woodbury. Having two massive fives is great but it is redundant, not flexible.

 

[boilerzz]

if we dont get another big in the off season, taylor will have to play the 5 as haas's backup. who else would we put in?

Swanigan

 

[mryankee2397]

swanigan will not play the 5. he left michigan state because izzo wanted him to be a 5 , so no. biggie will not play the 5

 

[FirstDownB]

Without anyone to step in and replace AJ in the AJ/Isaac 40 minute combo, I think we are likely going to see some smaller lineups next year. Now we're not talking DJ Byrd power forward small.. just smaller than our extraordinary size this year. I do not think it is reasonable to expect Isaac to increase from 15 mpg this year to any more than 20-25 mpg next year. So, out of necessity, we will likely see Biggie slide over to the 5 at times unless Taylor shows he can handle big minutes. But either one would play like more of a JJ stretch 5 than a AJ camp under the basket 5, and the flow on offense will adjust accordingly.

I definitely think we could see some of this lineup next year:
Biggie
Vince
Basil
Stephens
Mathias

Which in a lot of ways reminds me of those recent OSU and UM final four teams that had 4-5 guys that could stretch the defense on offense and switch everything on defense. No rim protector, but then again Isaac is no AJ in that regard anyway. And not to dog Isaac, what you gain in versatility and athleticism may be a net plus, especially against teams with athletic bigs.
So, in summary I think while this team will look and play different next year, it will not necessarily be for the worse.

 

[boilerzz]

swanigan will not play the 5. he left michigan state because izzo wanted him to be a 5 , so no. biggie will not play the 5

Swanigan's already played the five a couple of times this year. Do you forget what happened when AJ missed the first two games of the year?

 

[*4purdue*]

swanigan will not play the 5. he left michigan state because izzo wanted him to be a 5 , so no. biggie will not play the 5

He plays the 5 some now when we go small. It's happened a handful of times this year. He's not going to start & play 20 min. at the 5, but if Haas gets in foul trouble next year, I don't see how you can say differently.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

He plays the 5 some now when we go small. It's happened a handful of times this year. He's not going to start & play 20 min. at the 5, but if Haas gets in foul trouble next year, I don't see how you can say differently.

Agreed. I see Biggie in a situational 5 spot with Taylor more of a backup 4 if Haas gets in foul trouble.

 

[Dakota Girl]

Agreed. I see Biggie in a situational 5 spot with Taylor more of a backup 4 if Haas gets in foul trouble.

 

[Dakota Girl]

Agreed. I see Biggie in a situational 5 spot with Taylor more of a backup 4 if Haas gets in foul trouble.

Yes. Although it won't matter which of the two you call the 4 or the 5. Both have the tools to play in or out, high or low. Mich St has had several teams that played with two power forwards who could defend, rebound, and run the floor. Each has shown the ability to shoot from distance. To me this could be a fantastic line up when Haas is out.

 

[dumpsterFyre]

I remember the '09 team being effective in B1G play with Robbie as the 5 when JJ took a breather. Biggie and Vince down low as a second lineup is still a decent front court...especially with another year of experience and physical maturation. Hell it could be a decent lineup today.

 

[tjreese]

Yes. Although it won't matter which of the two you call the 4 or the 5. Both have the tools to play in or out, high or low. Mich St has had several teams that played with two power forwards who could defend, rebound, and run the floor. Each has shown the ability to shoot from distance. To me this could be a fantastic line up when Haas is out.

From an offensive flow point of view, give me two 6'9" fours...even before the rule changes. Now, I think it is even more. Perhaps Matt makes Purdue the Contrarian and a landing spot for solid 5's. If so, it will be easier down teh road to recruit around the 5's than initially...