Villanova v. Purdue Game Thread

[ahhculdee]

That is the takeaway you get from that game!? I have seen some moronic comments on here from people who don't know their a$$ from a hole in the ground but this top notch.
That was a terrific basketball game against the defending champ who will be right back in the hunt this season as well.
Did you not see the incredible display of interior passing, the beautiful post play from Biggie and Haas, a masterful job of guiding the team through foul trouble for both Biggie and Haas, some damn solid play from several Purdue guards who were facing some of the best back court players college ball will offer up, and placing the team in position to win on about six straight possessions if Nova had faltered at the line just once?
The breaking point was Haas's three straight free throw misses around the two minute mark. I suppose that is a coaching failure too.
I'll agree that he has not recruited at a perennial final four contender level but that game was damn well coached and only a fool or someone pressing an agenda can't or won't see it.

But did we win? Did we win in the NCAA tournament or a Big Ten Championship the last two seasons? No and no. Heck did we even beat Indiana last year? No. Painter didn't recruit depth in the off-season and it is hurting us.

 

[RegionWarrior101]

I get the sentiment and it was a bad foul. Not sure what he was thinking. I want to agree with you, but honestly, of our guards, PJ played the best game hands down, which isn't saying a whole lot. Even tho he is smaller, PJ is a better defender than Spike.

I know it's only one game, but the lack of athleticism in our backcourt is staggering. None of our guards have a first step to get by a guy (I'll include Vince in that category as well). Maybe Carsen, but he is a freshman and we can't rely on him just yet.

Our guards are skilled, can pass and shoot (when open), but when athletic guards are defending us, tonight is no surprise.

The biggest thing for me is Spike played in a pressure situation and in a Final Four. PJ likes to sneer like a less talented Russel Westbrook on a team that lost to Arkansas Pine Bluff on his resume.

 

[Dakota Girl]

But did we win? Did we win in the NCAA tournament or a Big Ten Championship the last two seasons? No and no. Heck did we even beat Indiana last year? No. Painter didn't recruit depth in the off-season and it is hurting us.

First off, sorry for jumping your case so hard. I saw in another thread where you said you had calmed down so I understand the initial over-reaction.
No we did not win. No we have not won a BTT lately. Non of that takes away from the terrific game I enjoyed last night.
Sports success if measured only by championships comes down to one thing. Talent on the court. We had talented players at a couple of positions last season but glaring weaknesses at a couple others. those weaknesses were obvious against athletic teams who could shoot and drive.
Now we still have talent at the 5 (Haas is different than AJ but still very good) but are more talented at the 4, 1 & 2 (swanigan is better, smotherman is good, Thompson is better, love albrecht, and Carsen played some damn good defense for a youngster). Would 4 more 5 stars help? Yes. Go watch Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, and MSU. That's where they all are.
I am going to enjoy watching this team.

 

[Boiler Wolf]

The biggest thing for me is Spike played in a pressure situation and in a Final Four. PJ likes to sneer like a less talented Russel Westbrook on a team that lost to Arkansas Pine Bluff on his resume.

Spike had a great half in that FF game. But since then he has battled with injury and isn't the same player. He is fortunate he is on the Purdue team. There will probably be a game or two this year where he lights it up, but last night he was just another guy.

 

[RegionWarrior101]

Spike had a great half in that FF game. But since then he has battled with injury and isn't the same player. He is fortunate he is on the Purdue team. There will probably be a game or two this year where he lights it up, but last night he was just another guy.

PJ has been "just another guy" for three years. I think on a good team he is a 6th/7th man type. Just what I have seen in the career or PJ. The bank shot uncontested 3 pointers and half court shot are fun, but real offense would be good.

 

[Boiler Wolf]

PJ has been "just another guy" for three years. I think on a good team he is a 6th/7th man type. Just what I have seen in the career or PJ. The bank shot uncontested 3 pointers and half court shot are fun, but real offense would be good.

Some truth in what you say. I just don't see Spike as an improvement. Last nights stat lines.

Spike
1-3 shooting, 5 points
4 assists
0 steals
1 TO
16 minutes playing time

PJ
3-4 shooting, 8 points
0 assists !!!!
1 steal
0 TO
24 minutes playing time.

I would call it a draw on the offensive end. My eyes saw PJ playing slightly better D. Either way, neither one stood out. Nothing to make me want to see Spike get more playing time. And just because he had a good game under different circumstances on a different team years ago does not seem to be a big advantage. But, I could be wrong.