FanPost

What this BBall team is


Discussion time about what this Purdue BBall team's identity is / will be:

We all expected this year's teams success to be based on defense. Without Moore and Johnson it would seem we would get back to Purdue roots to eek out wins through our D rather than rely on two transcendent offensive talents. But, my sense after the first few games is that this team is actually a more dynamic offensive team than a great defensive team. Everyone can score, and it looks like we might be a team that wins games through offense rather than D. Not saying we can't get better at D, but this might be a much different team than what we are used to. Is this a good or bad thing?

My take: Kramer's influence is really showing just now. His impact on the team identity had residue even after he left, and it's now fading. Painter may be a defensive minded coach, but this team may win more close games in the 70-80 point range than the 50-60 range like most Painter teams. And I'm okay with that. Great tourney teams are those for whom the offense comes easily, but at the end of the season the D comes together in full. We usually are the opposite, and the offense betrays us in the tourney. After watching these first few games I'm predicting a 3rd place B10 finish, a 5 seed, and a run to the elite 8 based on an established explosive offense that puts it all together defensively near the end of the season.


 

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