This week I wanted to do a basketball roundtable with the first exhibition game of the season coming up this Friday. Here’s what I asked the staff: What is one thing you’re going to be watching for when Purdue takes on Kentucky this Friday?
Ledman:
To me this question is really easy. I want to see Omer Mayer and CJ Cluff and how they integrate with this team. There are a number of newcomers (as well as Daniel Jacobsen coming back from injury) but these two are the ones I’m most excited to see. Cluff should
solve two of Purdue’s biggest problems from last season, rebounding and interior defense. If Purdue can shore that up they could have a generational season. Regarding Mayer, he looks to be the point guard of the future for this team and I want to see what Purdue will have once Braden Smith leaves (yes I know there’s a segment of folks who believe that Mayer is gone after one season). I’m also interested to see how many minutes Mayer gets in this game. Painter always wants to win these games but he’s also not going to go out of his way to do extreme scouting. He also loves to test out new lineups and I expect to see numerous lineups out there on Friday.
Travis:
I won’t be watching. It is an exhibition game, therefore it doesn’t count and is not worth watching. I am not really a fan of these marquee exhibition games. Too much of a chance at injury. If we lost Braden for the season in a game against Kentucky that doesn’t count I would be livid.
Ryan:
Obviously, this is the time for Matt Painter to tinker with lineups and player combinations so I will be intrigued to see who plays on the court with whom. Though it by no means is set in stone, the starting lineup will bring obvious interest as well because we have been debating the starting 5 for months now. Also, I want to see how Purdue is able to space the floor down low with the combination of TKR, Cluff, and Jacobsen on the floor. The same could be said with the combination of Braden Smith, Antoine West, and Omer Mayer being that they can all run an offense. We are so close to Purdue basketball and the anticipation is palpable. I cannot wait.
