Young Gaurd potential

by lift26 on Jan 18, 2012 2:54 AM EST

I really like to compare our Guards against current and former Guards from Purdue. Obviously the most recent elite standard is E'twaun Moore the only guard to come in and dominate as a freshman scoring in double figures. I think that's the goal for all the guards but TJ and AJ's is more similar to LewJack and Smith who also started as role players and developed into statistical and team leaders. Each player scores in a different way and has a little bit different game but each has a knack for making baskets. Obviously everyone's journey is different, and each has overcome some limitations.

This small analysis is of Min/game, Points/game and Assists or Rebounds/game. This is all for meaningless discussion. The best players will always contribute no matter what year. The two older players each had a setback year that hindered their progress. For Ryne it was his freshman year, he should have been red-shirted and for LewJack it was his sophomore year where he could not practice or play and could not improve his jumper. Hopefully AJ and TJ don't have to deal with that. It seems AJ is more the replacement for Ryne as the next shooting gaurd and TJ the replacement for LewJack attacking the basket. The statistics below are averages per game not totals. I did either or on Assists and Rebounds to show their other biggest contribution to the team.

LewJack Min/game - Points - Ast. or Rebounds

Fr. 23.6 - 5.9 - 3.3A

So. 19 - 2.4 - 3.4A (injured)

Jr. 26 - 8.0 - 4.0A

Sr. 24.7 - 10 - 3.7A

Ryne Smith Min. - Pts - Ast. or Rebounds

Fr. 5 - 1.1 - 0.2 R

So. 12 - 2.6 - 1.0 R

Jr. 24 - 6.2 - 2.5 R

Sr. 27 - 10 - 3 R

Terone Johnson Min. - Pts - Ast. or Rebounds

Fr. 19 - 4.9 - 2.5R

So. 21 - 7.4 - 3.2 R

Jr. 25 - 10 - 4 Projection

Sr. 27 - 12 - 4.5 Projection

Anthony Johnson Min. - Pts - Ast. or Rebounds

Fr. Redshirt

So. 15.4 - 6 - 2.3 R

Jr. 26 - 8 - 3.3 R

Sr. 28 - 10.5 - 4 Projection

5th year 32 - 14 - 4.5 Projection

AJ and TJ are on pace to follow LewJack's productivity and hopefully they can make the jump from role player to leader. Give me your projections for AJ and TJ.

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Comments

I really liked what I saw out of TJ and AJ last night

They both provided a spark of the bench, played well, and hustled up the court. LewJack and Barlow were walking it up too much and letting Iowa get set in their D. I think we have a lot to look forward to with these guys

>Hoosier by birth, Boilermaker by the grace of God
>Don't cry, MSU - It's just a game...

by sea.of.white on Jan 18, 2012 9:15 AM EST reply actions

I thought only LewJack walked up court

Barlow was attacking all night IMO. I like what TJ was doing too. To me, AJ still hasn’t fully gotten back in sync, although I like his work on the offensive glass.

by charlespig on Jan 18, 2012 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

TJ looked great

it took the ball to the rack and finished. He a bad pass or two in the 1st half, but over all he played well. AJ too looked good, and aggressive in the paint and quick. He had a few calls that didn’t go his way (one was a charge that waived off the basket), but he’s only a redshirt freshman and those will go away as he gets more comfortable. I want him to shoot from the outside more.

by boilerbacker31 on Jan 18, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

Same here

He seemed pretty capable as a shooter earlier this season. I’m fairly sure he did a lot of jump shooting in high school too.

by herby20 on Jan 18, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

Any projection of AJ's stats

based only on this years stats is going to be skewed. One big part of his game has been non-existent since before B1G season started, that’s 3’s. Not that he’s been bad, he just hasn’t taken hardly any, if any at all! It’s as if he was told to only drive and shoot his floater, which isn’t all bad. Many on here have said he’s one of our purest shooters and I can’t remember the last time he took a jumper from outside 15 feet. Missing a big part of his game.

by BoilerGOZ on Jan 18, 2012 9:28 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

I think Painter wisely put a red light for AJ's 3

He is shooting a paltry 24%! Until he proves otherwise, he shouldn’t be taking threes but just drive to the basket (he is a good offensive rebounder as a guard). I think this is the same msg given to Byrd, and Byrd responded with a better percentage and earned his green light.

by charlespig on Jan 19, 2012 9:05 AM EST up reply actions

If AJ was one of our purest shooters

he would have the green light to shoot the 3.

by Sportsnut on Jan 20, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

I think I'm projecting low on AJ with the hopes of him breaking through.

I actually have high hopes but I don’t want to put extreme expectations on any of our players. If they see steady progress each year we’ll be a great team. If TJ and AJ progress at the same level as LewJack they’ll both be a 1000 point scorers. My bet is that AJ will be a 1500 point scorer but I don’t want to expect anything and be disappointed if it doesn’t happen or lack excitement (take it for granted) if it does happen.

by lift26 on Jan 18, 2012 11:37 PM EST reply actions

One thing I didn't realize

Was AJ’s athletic ability. This kid is quick, gangly, has a great jumper, and can really get off the floor. I really believe he’ll be a huge part of our offense in a few years, if not next year.

by droid on Jan 19, 2012 12:00 PM EST reply actions