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It’s been a long, long winter. And yet it seems like
just yesterday that we were saying goodbye to Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Oscar Cluff. Because of how Matt Painter has been able to recruit and build his program through large, talented classes that stay together, Purdue has avoided the year over year turmoil and roster resets that have plagued programs that have lived on one year five-stars and building teams through the portal. That means for most summers, Purdue knows what to expect from its teams. Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn started in a national title game three years ago, and then still had two more years leading Purdue. That kind of stability has allowed Purdue to get a head start in summer, adding enhancement pieces and adding to already built chemistry and plilosophy understanding. Purdue started four seniors last season with the addition of big man Oscar Cluff. This season, Purdue has just one likely rotation player that’s a senior in Princeton transfer Caden Pierce. Pierce was one of the most sought after pieces in the transfer portal after sitting out last year to work on his game while graduating from Princeton and prepare himself for one final season at a major conference. He has been playing for Team USA’s 3×3 team in the spring. But what’s most striking for Purdue, is that it is running it back with every player that didn’t graduate last season. There were plenty of questions at the end of the season with experienced back ups and redshirt guards in the wing that players could look for bigger roles elsewhere. Instead, Purdue will lean heavily on its returning players as they step into expanded roles and bigger responsibilities. Today was the first day media members got to sit in on a Purdue summer practice. Let’s hit some quick notes and observations from the new era of Purdue basketball:
– Sinan Huan has a lot of work to do. He was probably the most not ready player today. That said, it’s early. Players can develop rapidly but Painter mentioned he’s not done trying to fill out the roster. It’s still possible Purdue adds a big with experience and Huan’s pressure to be ready this season becomes almost nothing. His intangibles and size combined with his ability to move keeps him one of the more intriguing prospects to come to Purdue.
– Sometimes us media members see the exact same thing at the same time. During an offensive five on five drill, Kraig Bowers from Boilers in the Stands came up to me and said River Knight looks comfortable. Probably not a better compliment for a freshman this early in his career. Rivers has size enough to play the four and PJ Thompson told me after practice that he loves what he’s seen from Knight and that there’s not a shot he hasn’t liked in practice.
– Thompson also lit up talking about freshman Luke Ertel. Ertel is a stud. Also, from Thompson’s words it’s evident Ertel will play a role on this team from day one. There’s nothing he can’t do on the court.
– Jacob Webber is going through the struggle of figuring out what’s a good shot for him at this level. Possibly some uncomfortableness early on has the usually elite shot maker looking a little off with his jumper. He’ll be one of the most difficult to predict a role for next year. His shooting upside and decent size make him a prototypical wing for Painter But shooters can also struggle the most with adjusting to a new offense and level of play.
– Matt Painter after practice was very open about needing more from CJ Cox. Cox has the most experience on the team but Painter needs him to transform. His off court personality can’t be his on court personality. He wants Cox to not be so nice while Thompson wants him to shoot, shoot, and shoot more. The offense will likely be run by Mayer, but the coaches seem to think the team is Cox’s. Cox is Purdue’s best scorer and they will need all the scoring he can provide.
– Caden Pierce looked composed, a veteran. He did drills mostly as a wing and guard, Purdue clearly plans to use him with the ball in his hands. He should do a lot of everything for Purdue.
– Painter made it clear after practice that he sees Burgess as both a 4/5. Burgess has added 15 pounds of muscle or so and lost fat. He’s changed his body and shot. All that remains is for him to finally stay healthy.
– Antione West just does something different on the court. His size and physicality at the guard spot combined with his shot making makes him an ultimate X factor. Coach Thompson said he’s still adjusting back to life away from the practice team and redshirting but he’s a different gear for a team that will need shot making with the ball.
– The offense is Mayer’s. He’s continued to build his relationship with offensive coordinator PJ Thompson and expect Thompson to orchestrate an offense that will use Mayer in a different way than the spark plug role he played last year.
– Jacobsen is thicker. He’s still an athletic freak. He looked more comfortable entering year three. If there’s anyone most likely to take a leap, it’s the big man.
