Gicarri Harris leap
The Gicarri Harris leap appears to be upon us. Harris didn’t just look like the biggest surprise for Purdue again for Purdue, but at times, he looked like Purdue’s biggest threat on both
sides of the floor. There wasn’t anything Harris didn’t do well in the final exhibition.
His state line reads like a future love letter to being an All-American: 20 points (4 of 5 from three), 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and a team best +32 in just 18 minutes of play.
Harris was a terror at all levels for Purdue, igniting fast breaks, getting his hand on balls, and making four three-pointers. If Harris continues the level of play he’s shown in Purdue’s two exhibition games, he’s going to find himself in Purdue’s starting lineup and on an All-B10 team sooner than later.
Oscar Cluff early foul trouble
Cluff’s early exhibition struggles continue as Cluff was on the court for just six minutes of action, collecting three fouls in the first half. The game started with Cluff rotating late at the rim, bodying into a Uindy guard at the rim, and giving up the and-one lay up. Then Cluff collected a foul on an offensive rebound a few minutes later. In his second run, it didn’t take long for Cluff to flinch a hip out on a screen and get called for the illegal screen. All in all, the first half went about as poorly as it could go for the South Dakota State transfer who has yet to show off his experience and rebounding to a satisfying extent through two exhibition games.
Daniel Jacobsen defensive impact
It’s a luxury of giants in West Lafayette. With Cluff going to the bench early with foul trouble, Painter went to the even taller back up, Daniel Jacobsen, who made his presence felt from the jump. He blocked a lay up at the other side of the rim that led directly led to points at the other end. Then, on the next possession, Jacobsen’s length took up a whole passing lane and his steal led to even more points in transition.
A one-handed alley-oop dunk and a two handed put back dunk later, and Jacobsen’s flurry of impact flashed what Matt Painter is going to be able to go to off his bench all season. If Jacobsen doesn’t threaten the starting lineup that is. Jacobsen’s 4 rebounds, 4 points, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in just 8 minutes highlighted the game changing nature the 7-4 sophomore possesses off Purdue’s bench.
Gicarri Harrris and Jack Benter continued pairing
On back to back plays, Benter worked hard to set a screen for Harris. Harris on both occasions took advantage of the space created by the 6-6 Benter and knocked down back to back threes for it.
Benter and Harris are two of Purdue’s biggest wings, both capable of defending up and down, and their synergy on both ends of the floor have made them a natural pairing together coming off the bench. Benter is the one known for his shooting prowess, but as he’s struggled in exhibition, it hasn’t stopped him from working at getting Harris good looks. Benter’s ability to play up to the four creates a lot of space and speed for Purdue’s offense. Benter’s ability to change direction and move quickly has created quick screens for Harris to play off of. It also helps when the screener is thought of as the shooting threat. Defenders will be wary to leave Benter to chase down who he’s screening for.
This will be a fun wrinkle for Purdue’s offensive coordinator PJ Thompson and how to create shots and space off the Harris-Benter two man game.
What the doctor ordered
Last week, it was about Purdue finding out it had a lot of work to do when it went into Kentucky and lost. That was something Matt Painter wanted for his team.
This week, Purdue got to work at the other end, with a couple young Boilers and new Boilers getting to gain a little confidence.
Purdue’s drubbing of UIndy saw Antione West Jr. knock down back to back threes for his first baskets in the exhibition. It had Jack Benter finally knocking down an open three-pointer after missing two against Kentucky and his first two attempts against UIndy. Liam Murphy made his first three-pointer against UIndy and got a dunk. Oscar Cluff had back to back offensive rebounds and a bucket and then Omer Mayer followed it up with an and one finish off a drive.
What Purdue learned in humility against Kentucky it got to gain in confidence against UIndy.
After shooting 3 of 17 from three against Kentucky, as a team Purdue was 15 of 30 from three before walk-ons came on.
