Two notes from Penn State game

[TC4THREE]

From the GBI piece on Haas....

Taylor for PSU had a good game. 10-15 fgs. 6 of those were scored on Swanigan.

Mathias was +20 in 20 minutes.

Think this goes along with what I've been saying lately. We are a better team with Edwards at the 4, Swanigan on the bench, and Mathias in the game.

I did notice that Painter's first sub last night was Mathias for Swanigan. I get that he feels pressure to start and play Swanigan but I think he knows that the defense and turnovers are really hurting us with him out there right now. He wants to let him play through it and hope he figures it out. I hope that too but I'm not planning on him improving greatly on these things during this season.

At any rate I hope to see more Dakota and less Caleb in the near future although I suspect Caleb will continue to start.

 

[pumsu]

Biggest plus with Caleb out is Edwards at 4.

 

[*4purdue*]

From the GBI piece on Haas....

Taylor for PSU had a good game. 10-15 fgs. 6 of those were scored on Swanigan.

Mathias was +20 in 20 minutes.

Think this goes along with what I've been saying lately. We are a better team with Edwards at the 4, Swanigan on the bench, and Mathias in the game.

I did notice that Painter's first sub last night was Mathias for Swanigan. I get that he feels pressure to start and play Swanigan but I think he knows that the defense and turnovers are really hurting us with him out there right now. He wants to let him play through it and hope he figures it out. I hope that too but I'm not planning on him improving greatly on these things during this season.

At any rate I hope to see more Dakota and less Caleb in the near future although I suspect Caleb will continue to start.

1) Most of Taylor's points were when he came back in with 4 fouls & the game was pretty much over at that point. Taylor is a really good player & IMO plays alot like Swanigan. For us to shut him down for the first 30 min. say's more than him going off the last 10 when the game was over.
2) I've been beating the Mathias drum since the start of the season. He may be the most undervalued player in the B1G. He gets it done. I'm really excited about the fact that we have him for 2 more years after this.
3) Swanigan ran straight to the locker room for something when he came out the first time. I believe something was wrong with him (maybe a potty break)

 

[TC4THREE]

Yea when Swanigan came out it was a temporary thing but I thought it was noteworthy that Mathias was the guy who came in for him. That shifts our lineup around and made me think that CMP is seeing the same things I am.

 

[*4purdue*]

Yea when Swanigan came out it was a temporary thing but I thought it was noteworthy that Mathias was the guy who came in for him. That shifts our lineup around and made me think that CMP is seeing the same things I am.

I don't think it's any secret that Mathias is our best player off the bench (other than maybe Haas). Mathias got the start when Davis was out for 3 or 4 games also.

 

[TC4THREE]

I don't think it's any secret that Mathias is our best player off the bench (other than maybe Haas). Mathias got the start when Davis was out for 3 or 4 games also.

Yes but I'm not sure I've seen him sub in for Swanigan all that much. Like I said, that shifts our whole lineup. Most notably it puts Edwards at the 4 and also the fact that it was our first sub, and what seemed to be an unplanned one, tells me that Painter is seeing the same thing I am.

 

[BoilerFan16]

Taylor has been around for quite some time and has been PSU's go to guy for awhile. He should have been able to score on Biggie. Having Caleb go against someone like him provides invaluable experience. He needs to play in order to progress.

 

[TC4THREE]

Taylor has been around for quite some time and has been PSU's go to guy for awhile. He should have been able to score on Biggie. Having Caleb go against someone like him provides invaluable experience. He needs to play in order to progress.

Taylor is not the first player Swanigan has struggled to cover. His matchup is routinely one of our toughest covers.

 

[Wilt 13]

Mathias at point. Edwards and Hammons 30 minutes each.

 

[FLAG HUNTER]

Swanigan does a really good job on the boards, he is a beast under the basket, I think he will get the turnovers down

 

[Bigohh]

From the GBI piece on Haas....

Taylor for PSU had a good game. 10-15 fgs. 6 of those were scored on Swanigan.

Mathias was +20 in 20 minutes.

Think this goes along with what I've been saying lately. We are a better team with Edwards at the 4, Swanigan on the bench, and Mathias in the game.

I did notice that Painter's first sub last night was Mathias for Swanigan. I get that he feels pressure to start and play Swanigan but I think he knows that the defense and turnovers are really hurting us with him out there right now. He wants to let him play through it and hope he figures it out. I hope that too but I'm not planning on him improving greatly on these things during this season.

Biggie had some problem because he came out and went directly to the locker room. Came back and sat on the bench for awhile. Do not know what the problem was.
Also of note, Cline subbed in way before KS. Maybe a message being sent?

At any rate I hope to see more Dakota and less Caleb in the near future although I suspect Caleb will continue to start.

 

[mathboy]

From the GBI piece on Haas....

Taylor for PSU had a good game. 10-15 fgs. 6 of those were scored on Swanigan.

Mathias was +20 in 20 minutes.

Think this goes along with what I've been saying lately. We are a better team with Edwards at the 4, Swanigan on the bench, and Mathias in the game.

I did notice that Painter's first sub last night was Mathias for Swanigan. I get that he feels pressure to start and play Swanigan but I think he knows that the defense and turnovers are really hurting us with him out there right now. He wants to let him play through it and hope he figures it out. I hope that too but I'm not planning on him improving greatly on these things during this season.

At any rate I hope to see more Dakota and less Caleb in the near future although I suspect Caleb will continue to start.

Biggie is doing fine. Taylor at PSU is one of the best scoring forwards around. Like someone else said, most of his damage was done after the game was out of reach. One of the reasons freshmen are often seen on the bench is because they don't have all the necessary skills to do all that is required of them. No surprise there. Biggie is a great rebounder and is aggressive with the ball. He will learn fastest by playing. We have to allow that for long term growth.

Mathias is the player most likely to stick a 3-pt dagger in the chest of our opponents. He seems to have a talent to be a cold-eyed killer in the second half. Like his passing too.

 

[tjreese]

R

Biggie is doing fine. Taylor at PSU is one of the best scoring forwards around. Like someone else said, most of his damage was done after the game was out of reach. One of the reasons freshmen are often seen on the bench is because they don't have all the necessary skills to do all that is required of them. No surprise there. Biggie is a great rebounder and is aggressive with the ball. He will learn fastest by playing. We have to allow that for long term growth.

Mathias is the player most likely to stick a 3-pt dagger in the chest of our opponents. He seems to have -eyed killer in the second half. a feel for that and a talent to be a cold-eyed killer in the second half. Like his passing too.

REALLY like his passing!!! (Dakota)

 

[TC4THREE]

Biggie is doing fine. Taylor at PSU is one of the best scoring forwards around. Like someone else said, most of his damage was done after the game was out of reach. One of the reasons freshmen are often seen on the bench is because they don't have all the necessary skills to do all that is required of them. No surprise there. Biggie is a great rebounder and is aggressive with the ball. He will learn fastest by playing. We have to allow that for long term growth.

Mathias is the player most likely to stick a 3-pt dagger in the chest of our opponents. He seems to have a talent to be a cold-eyed killer in the second half. Like his passing too.

I find it unlikely that he will improve on those deficiencies during the season but we'll see. I think it's more likely it will cost us some games if we continue to play him the most minutes of anyone on the team.

 

[Mcluck]

Biggie is a great passer and a rebounder that comes around only rarely. He is a Freshman and is learning. From a recruiting standpoint he has to get minutes. He will struggle this year. If he is around next year he will be a true beast.

 

[sixpackpete]

Swanigan does a really good job on the boards, he is a beast under the basket, I think he will get the turnovers down

I really like Caleb but it does bother me the number of rebounds he "takes" from other Purdue players.

How many times have we seen AJ in position and then AJ pulls his hands back as CS rips the ball away.

I love his aggression but wish he focused that solely on the opposing players. I think we get a few less rebounds with him out but I think that others go harder to the rim knowing that they will not have to fight one of their own for the ball.

 

[Dryfly88]

Biggie is a great passer and a rebounder that comes around only rarely. He is a Freshman and is learning. From a recruiting standpoint he has to get minutes. He will struggle this year. If he is around next year he will be a true beast.

I haven't read anyone say he "shouldn't get minutes". I don't believe anyone thinks he should be sat on the bench and never play. What I and others have suggested is that he shouldn't be leading the team in minutes played.

 

[Inspector100]

I really like Caleb but it does bother me the number of rebounds he "takes" from other Purdue players.

How many times have we seen AJ in position and then AJ pulls his hands back as CS rips the ball away.

I love his aggression but wish he focused that solely on the opposing players. I think we get a few less rebounds with him out but I think that others go harder to the rim knowing that they will not have to fight one of their own for the ball.

This is not a big deal. The fact that Purdue gets the ball is a big deal. I call it "team play".

 

[02Boilermaker]

AJH's rebounding % is up from 16.1% last year to 18.5% this year. I think it's more likely Caleb is having a positive effect on AJH's rebounding numbers than a negative effect. I'll never fault a kid for being too aggressive in the rebounding department.

 

[FirstDownB]

I really like Caleb but it does bother me the number of rebounds he "takes" from other Purdue players.

How many times have we seen AJ in position and then AJ pulls his hands back as CS rips the ball away.

I love his aggression but wish he focused that solely on the opposing players. I think we get a few less rebounds with him out but I think that others go harder to the rim knowing that they will not have to fight one of their own for the ball.

It would be interesting to see team rebounding plus-minus stats with Biggie on the floor vs. not on the floor. My suspicion is his effect would be appreciable but with not as much of a disparity as his 8.7 rpg would indicate.
Individual rebounding stats can be a skewed because of how often you do see teammates in position for a rebound and one is generally the alpha rebounder.
Let me clarify I don't think he is doing anything WRONG in the rebounding department. This is his role.

 

[*4purdue*]

I really like Caleb but it does bother me the number of rebounds he "takes" from other Purdue players.

How many times have we seen AJ in position and then AJ pulls his hands back as CS rips the ball away.

I love his aggression but wish he focused that solely on the opposing players. I think we get a few less rebounds with him out but I think that others go harder to the rim knowing that they will not have to fight one of their own for the ball.

Are you serious??? He is leading the B1G in rebounds by a wide margin & has to compete with 2 seven footers for the board. For 3 year AJ has been passive in rebounding & we could have used someone like Biggie & now that we have him you are concerned he's taking rebounds away. Think how many Biggie would have if AJ & Haas were not on the floor. I think Biggie is the best rebounder we've had since Chuckie White.

 

[sixpackpete]

Are you serious??? He is leading the B1G in rebounds by a wide margin & has to compete with 2 seven footers for the board. For 3 year AJ has been passive in rebounding & we could have used someone like Biggie & now that we have him you are concerned he's taking rebounds away. Think how many Biggie would have if AJ & Haas were not on the floor. I think Biggie is the best rebounder we've had since Chuckie White.

Clearly I said I would like if he could be more aware of his teammates that already had their hands on the ball. If AJ has the rebound in hand we were be better served if Biggie headed down the floor. So YES I am serious. Love his aggressiveness, I would lust like to see is awareness increased to match.

BTW, he should NOT be competing with the two seven footers on his own team and that was why I made this observation.

 

[FirstDownB]

It would be interesting to see team rebounding plus-minus stats with Biggie on the floor vs. not on the floor. My suspicion is his effect would be appreciable but with not as much of a disparity as his 8.7 rpg would indicate.
Individual rebounding stats can be a skewed because of how often you do see teammates in position for a rebound and one is generally the alpha rebounder.
Let me clarify I don't think he is doing anything WRONG in the rebounding department. This is his role.

Since I do not think the rebounding plus-minus stats are available I took another approach, comparing team rebounding stats this season vs. last season. I actually think this is a pretty fair assessment of Biggie's rebounding value because of so many other constants on the roster. We lost Octeus, who was a better rebounder than our current PG's, but everyone else is one year more experienced. I'll call that a wash. So the main variable is Biggie.
2014-2015: 36.3 RPG (73rd in NCAA)
2015-2016: 42.5 RPG (12th in NCAA)
These stats indicate Biggie's 8.7 RPG have been almost entirely additive, with team rebounds increasing by 6.2 RPG.

 

[mathboy]

Since I do not think these stats are available I took the next best thing, comparing team rebounding stats this season vs. last season. I actually think this is a pretty fair assessment of Biggie's rebounding value because of so many other constants on the roster. We lost Octeus, who was a better rebounder than our current PG's, but everyone else is one year more experienced. I'll call that a wash. So the main variable is Biggie.
2014-2015: 36.3 RPG (73rd in NCAA)
2015-2016: 42.5 RPG (12th in NCAA)
These stats indicate Biggie's 8.7 RPG have been almost entirely additive, with team rebounds increasing by 6.2 RPG.

Hard to argue with these facts. Often Biggie has his hands on a rebound first and you see AJ or Haas having their hands on the outside of Biggie's. In that case, Biggie has the rebound, period.

He jumps better than either center, he has long arms, and he has a sense for where the ball will be. He has very strong hands. Hence he gets the ball and the stats. He isn't taking anything away from anybody else. No need to start a fire where there isn't one.

Besides, we have too many "Mr. Nice Guys" playing for us. It is nice to see a real tough guy out there, who is not polite to anyone.

 

[boilerzz]

I'm not discounting Biggie's contribution to the rebounding numbers but I think a part of that increase can be attributable to the increased number of possesions brought on by the rules changes.

 

[02Boilermaker]

I agree total RPG isn't the best way to judge things, so here are some more rebounding #s.

As FDB said, we lost Octeus from last season & he was our 2nd leading rebounder. PU added Hill, Cline, and Biggie. Hill, Cline, and additional PJT minutes seem to be about a wash with what was lost with Octeus. AJH's rebounding % is up over 2% from last season. Isaac, Davis, Dakota, and Kendall are all at least 2% lower than last season in terms of rebounding % thus far. So the addition of Caleb & AJH's rebounding improvement does seem to have taken away rebounds from other PU players. So is it a net positive or negative?

Last season:
-Purdue got 53.5% of available rebounds.
-Purdue was 39th in rebounding margin at +4.8
-Purdue was outrebounded in 8 of 34 games (2 non-conf & 6 times in B1G). Purdue was 3-5 in games it was out-rebounded & 18-8 in games it won the rebounding war.

This season:
-Purdue is getting 57.5% of available rebounds.
-Purdue is 8th in rebounding margin at +11.1
-Purdue has not been out-rebounded in any game yet. PU is 15-3.

It seems to me Caleb & a better rebounding AJH have had a significant impact. Biggie needs to cut down on his TOs without a doubt, but he is a huge net positive for this team.

 

[FirstDownB]

I'm not discounting Biggie's contribution to the rebounding numbers but I think a part of that increase can be attributable to the increased number of possesions brought on by the rules changes.

Which is why I also included the NCAA rank

 

[*4purdue*]

Clearly I said I would like if he could be more aware of his teammates that already had their hands on the ball. If AJ has the rebound in hand we were be better served if Biggie headed down the floor. So YES I am serious. Love his aggressiveness, I would lust like to see is awareness increased to match.

BTW, he should NOT be competing with the two seven footers on his own team and that was why I made this observation.

I didn't say he was competing, you made that reference when you said he was taking rebounds away from AJ, which is a really strange complaint. I'd rather have the team crash the boards and get the rebound rather than get back. I like the aggressive play for once.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Throwing this out there to see the reaction of others:

Anyone notice KS got a career low minutes last night? I think Painter may have sat him after he has been a deficiency on the offensive end with his poor shooting percentage and (from what I can see) a lack of ball movement when he is in the game. I think KS is a guy that hunts for his own shots whereas Mathias and Cline seem to be more inclined to keep the ball moving. As I said, that's my own personal feeling and when brought up to a friend who coaches basketball, he agreed.

 

[BoilerStation]

He is obsessed with getting to the ball first or coming up with it. I guarantee he is a nightmare in practice to be around. I'm sure there was a negative reaction from the team at first. That being said, it is needed. What he does is push every single player to hustle if they want the rebound which I promise some do. Granted he could be a crutch as far as aggression for loose balls because they expect him to go get it. I'd rather have at least one of those guys on my team compared to none. Biggie is one of the few players either confident enough or allowed to take the midrange jumper. He turns the ball over, yes but he is a much needed part and his minutes now are crucial to fostering any success next year when we lose davis and hammons.

 

[*4purdue*]

Throwing this out there to see the reaction of others:

Anyone notice KS got a career low minutes last night? I think Painter may have sat him after he has been a deficiency on the offensive end with his poor shooting percentage and (from what I can see) a lack of ball movement when he is in the game. I think KS is a guy that hunts for his own shots whereas Mathias and Cline seem to be more inclined to keep the ball moving. As I said, that's my own personal feeling and when brought up to a friend who coaches basketball, he agreed.

I don't really understand it... I think KS is actually playing really well this year. Is D is improved and he's doing more on offense than just shooting the 3. I wish he would get a little more time. CMP said after the game he made a mistake not playing him more in the Iowa game when he had the hot hand in the first half.