The young guys will learn....

[bonefish1]

I can recall 3-5 times vs FSU when one of our younger players thought they had a layup opportunity only to have a FSU player come out of nowhere and swat the ball away.
In high school, when these guys had an opportunity like that, they probably always were able to finish. Now they've got 6'8 long athletes flying at them from all angles.
These young guys are smart and I'm sure they're learning that you have to go hard to the bucket, you can't float up there and just finger roll it.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I can recall 3-5 times vs FSU when one of our younger players thought they had a layup opportunity only to have a FSU player come out of nowhere and swat the ball away.
In high school, when these guys had an opportunity like that, they probably always were able to finish. Now they've got 6'8 long athletes flying at them from all angles.
These young guys are smart and I'm sure they're learning that you have to go hard to the bucket, you can't float up there and just finger roll it.

They'll need to (and I'm fairly confidently they will) learn the angles better, get stronger, and use the goal as protection when they can, IMO. Fortunately last night, most of Fletcher Loyer's attempts went out-of-bounds for Purdue possession. Smith hasn't been too bad when driving to me.....even got the C-Boogie special call for an and-one last night.

I do like that they're willing to drive off the bounce.

 

[Zaphod_B]

I can recall 3-5 times vs FSU when one of our younger players thought they had a layup opportunity only to have a FSU player come out of nowhere and swat the ball away.
In high school, when these guys had an opportunity like that, they probably always were able to finish. Now they've got 6'8 long athletes flying at them from all angles.
These young guys are smart and I'm sure they're learning that you have to go hard to the bucket, you can't float up there and just finger roll it.

I said just about the same thing in the game thread about Loyer... Pretty sure its just an experience thing - not being used to the length/quickness of Div 1 players...

 

[FirstDownB]

Get your body between the ball and defender. YMCA hooping 101.

 

[depthcharge623]

Loyer and Smith did squeeze a few in there that I thought would get swatted so they are already having some success.

 

[Zaphod_B]

Get your body between the ball and defender. YMCA hooping 101.

I think Loyer did that, but got swatted by help defenders zooming in..