Expectations for next year.
by Nymics on Feb 20, 2012 1:05 PM EST
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PrintI am aware that this season is far from over but as our current team has struggled I find myself looking to the future. I have to say I am optimistic about next year's class. It'll be a totally different team without Hummel, Lewjack, and Smith. I'm excited to see how Ronnie runs the point and Hammons production at center. It seems Painter has finally realized that having size is beneficial in basketball which is great to see. It was pretty evident we couldn't rebound at all against Michigan State. I'm okay with not watching Terone attempt to play power forward anymore. I feel like with Lawson, Carrol, Hammons, Hale, and Simpson we will improve in that regard. Also, I would love to see Ronnie develop into the next Trey Burke. The three headed hyrdra of Johnson's is definitely going to be worth watching next year at least.
Basically, next year's team is going to be entirely different from what we have seen for the last few years. We will have freshman playing key roles on the team for the first time since the Baby Boilers. I'm wondering what is the consensus expectation for next year? Will next year's team make it to the tournament? How soon will Purdue move back into top 25 rankings? What players(current and new) will step up to replace our seniors? What recruit are you most excited to watch?
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Byrd.
Is my man next year. Expecting him to step up big time to reach his full potential, along with the compliments of a strong freshman class. Should be an interesting year.
the 'DUE
I voted 16-20 wins.
But I suspect it will be in the 15-18 range. If the Boilers make the tourney next year, CMP should be B1N COY. The following year we should reach the 20 win mark and make the dance, and in 2014 we will be a solid top 20 program.
by Hummel's figurines on Feb 20, 2012 1:23 PM EST reply actions
Byrd and TJ are the key players for next year
Byrd will be the senior leader and TJ needs to make The Leap
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
20 or more
We should expect it every year. Period.
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
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That doesn't make any sense.
Your expectation for the program and your expectation for how next year’s team will perform are not the same thing.
by Ray Williams? on Feb 20, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
You could ask him how they would perform in 2030
And the answer will be the same.
Undefeated. Every. Year.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
"We have the Cannon, the Bucket, the Little Caesar's Bowl trophies, and I'm pretty sure the Nation's Best Kick-Off Team Trophy as well to put in our trophy case" --Purdue Coach Danny Hope
by carmen_fanzone on Feb 20, 2012 6:38 PM EST up reply actions
I expect to at least have a chance to win every game
I agree, that many games we have a much smaller chance than others, but to at least have a shot, even at half a percent, is a shot
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
So you're saying there's a chance?
Couldn’t resist.
by Hummel's figurines on Feb 21, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Could not agree more
We are a program with a GREAT regular season history. Look at our conference titles, AAs, 1000 pt scorers, the numbers look great against almost any school in the country. The only thing we lack is tournament success so expecting 20 regular season wins should be the norm.
I said 20+
I know there will be growing pains next year, but our younger players on the team this year have shown flashes of what they can become. And our recruiting class fills a lot of the needs we have this year. We won’t be better than we were this year at the start of the year, but I think we have the potential to be by the end of the year.
If we win 20+ games it will be the biggest accomplishment in Purdue athletics history.
Ronnie will make a bunch of mistakes, but show promise. Simpson will do about as much as lawson has this year. Hammons will add size, but probably wont add much at the offensive end. Raphael will be the best next year out of them all. I think we will win 16-18 games and make the NIT. I think these guys will be good, but none have Etwaun or jajuan talent. I think in 3-4 years will be when we are back to what we were.
17-21 depending on the last few non conference opponents
Smith to Davis is most likely an upgrade. Lew Jack to RJ is to be determined. I love Lew Jack but being 5 7 and not having a reliable jump shot limits you on a basketball court. It will be interesting to see RJ play. Hummel to Simpson and Hammons is a downgrade at first but has a chance to be an upgrade if Carroll can play some power forward in the next few years. Losing Barlow is also big but Byrd needs to step up and be a leader. I think we will have about the same record as this year
we're talking about next year.
no way that Smith to Davis is an upgrade next year. LewJack is 10x what ronnie will be next year. Please. Ronnie is only a few inches taller than Lew and doesnt have the best jumper either, although it is better than Lews. Losing Rob will hurt so much and nobody will be an upgrade at any point next year. Same record as this year? most optimistic comment ive ever seen.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Depth in the front court....
will be a big advantage next year. We will be young in a few spots, and lose Hummel, but we will have more size and depth overall. Anything Hammons can give us will be a big improvement over what we’ve got from Carrol / Marcius / Lawson. As long as he can rebound and block shots he will be a big improvement. He won’t score a ton but I see him being similar to Nix for MSU. A big body who clogs up the lane, rebounds and gets offensive put backs. Don’t underestimate Hale as well. I think he will be a nice player, not Hummel nice, but efficient and effective. I figure Lawson can move to the 4 and perhaps can utilize his athleticism. Anthony Johnson is starting to play with some confidence and I certainly think he can give us something. I don’t know, call me optimistic, but I think if this years Purdue team can win 20 than so can next years. I’ve been saying this for several years (check my posts if you think I am lying)…Rapheal Davis is going to be a stud. He just seems like a big time player who produces.
true anything from the big men next year will be an improvement.
Ive been saying AJ has a lot of potential, and i like his jumper. I think RD will be the best recruit from the 2012 class too. I just wish Lawson could hang onto the ball, dribble, and had a jumper. hopefully he can develop a jumper over the summer and learn how to grab a rebound and dribble a little.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with Davis
He is going to be a stud and for no other reason than we don’t have a go to guy coming back next year. Based on this season, Davis can take over games. Every good team needs someone who can do that. While he might not be perfect next year, I think he will lead the team in scoring, or at least be second, and we will be drouling over his potential in 2013+
Nope.
Smith to Davis IS an upgrade, especially on Defense. Plus, Davis actually has the capacity to drive, and he has Barlow’s size…this is much better than Smith’s ability to shot fake and pass the ball right back to where it came from.
by Bloomington.Boiler on Feb 20, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you
Ray Davis is easily the player I am most excited about in the 2012 class. Most thought his production would dip going from South Side to LaLum, but his numbers are still there. If we have learned anything this year, it is that we need more players that can drive and create shots for themselves or easier shots for teammates. In that regard, RD is going to be an upgrade to Smith. I would like to see him combine his size and athleticism with as much defensive intensity as Smith.
I don't see Carroll playing power forward
at all next year. Someone will have to share minutes at the 5. With Hammons size and being a freshman, not sure how many minutes he will put in next year. I’m guessing around 25. I’m all for returning Carroll and Chooch back to last years “give JJ a couple minutes rest” role.
I voted 20+
I think Byrd (the leader of the team) will be averaging between 15-18 ppg. Terone will be averaging around 10-12 ppg. Then I think Lawson an Anthony Johnson will be big assets. The kinks will be worked out by B1G season. We will probably end up in a similar position as this year behind OSU, MSU, Wisky, Mich and IPuke. I think Hammons is going to be a bigger asset than we think because of the talent he has played with this year. Look for Hammons and McGary at Michigan to have some epic battles in the B1G and to be two of the best postmen in the conference. We will be about an 8/9 seed next year.
the same lawson that doesnt know the plays and cant hang onto a rebound and has no jumper?
or is there a different lawson I dont know about? If we make the tourney next year I will paypal you 20$.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
im not trying to be pessimistic and bring your guys' hopes down
im just saying you are expecting way to much out of an average recruiting class, especially after losing Rob, Ryne, and Lew.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
I agree, although I would classify the class as above average.
It is ranked right around 25 nationally, and I think it’s one of those classes that the sum will be greater than the individual parts. Especially grouped with the 2013 class. I’m most excited to watch them play together. I think when those two classes are sophomores and juniors, and then the next year when they’re juniors and seniors, we should be very good. I have my expectations set fairly low for next year, but I think next year’s class should be judged on potential next year and not immediate results.
I would say if we had several good players coming back
this class would be around average in what they will contribute. But the fact that many positions will be open is going to make them grow up fast. Instead of seeing playing time numbers like A. Johnson’s, they are going to be seeing numbers similar to TJ’s or more, at least Hammons, RD & RJ in my opinion. They all have to potential to be great, and with getting the PT and knowing this is their team from the start I think they will step up. They will have to.
We are still stuck in the half-court offense that doesn't play to this team's strengths.
Lawson is pretty quick, and is incredibly athletic. I hope Painter puts some more focus on the transition game next year because we have a lot of players who can really exploit it, Lawson being one of them.
my guess is that Purdue jumps its possessions next year
gonna have a lot of quick players that aren’t the greatest of shooters. Settling into the half court would put Purdue at a disadvantage, especially with a number of high minute young players.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
Agreed
Painter’s recruits seem to have more length and are more athletic to improve defense and play a transition game for easy buckets.
Same one.
I happen to remember some past Boilers that no one gave a chance to. Jim Rowinski, Steve Scheffler, Carl Landry, Everette Stephens just to name a few. Im not saying Lawson will be a world beater but he will be much improved and will be an asset.
I think Lawson with make the jump...
With a possible starting position and some experience now, I could see him improving a lot. I hear he is a hard worker, so he would have to put in a lot of work over the summer to improve his hands & shot. I could see him doing similar stats to what Dawson is doing this year, probably not as high, but basically scoring around the basket, blocking and rebounding. (7-8pts, 2blks, 5rb) I think his fouling should go down just from the fact that he doesnt have to guard centers. A couple fouls a game have been from trying to deny the feed to the 5.
Hale
He will definitely benefit from playing the 4 instead of the 5 as he will probably be able to utilize his athleticism more than he currently does. He needs to develop his midrange game but he should benefit from playing alongside bigger guys. My best guess is that Hale will start alongside Hammons and Lawson will play with Carrol / Marcius. I just think Hale adds a little something that Lawson doesn’t and that is the ability to shoot. Hale will keep team honest and not allow them to double down on Hammons, and if they do, he can knock down 15 footers. Time will tell, but Hale seemed to be pretty efficient when he played and assuming he gains some weight in the off season he should be a decent player.
Average recruiting class?
That’s funny because I believe they are ranked either 15th or 16th nationally. Lew Jack and Ryne were both 3 stars these guys are all 4 stars.
4 stars depending on the recruiting service
yes there have been many in the past that people didnt think would be anything, but what about all the guys in the past 3 years that so many people were saying they would be great, and look at them now.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
I for one did not think
anyone after the 2007 class was “great”. In fact I could not stand Jackson the first 2.5 yrs he was here, but I do respect him now. Lawson is not an NBA player, nor is anyone else on the current team however that does not mean he will not contribute positively. He will no longer be a freshman and Painter will work with him over the summer to improve. Don’t forget JJ was not instrumental in the 2007 teams success. He averaged about 5.6ppg with around 13 mins/game but look how he developed. Never thought he would be the best out of Moore, Hummel, Martin and himself.
yes but JJ also had a jump shot, 3 more inches, and could dribble the ball.
well there were many people saying how great Terone would be (i do think he is a good player) and how great Carroll would be, just to name a few.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
and 15 is above average in my opinion
a great recruiting class is top 5. if you’re ranked 15-25 you’re an above average team, but not great like the Kentuckys of the world.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
lol
2007 was top 5 im pretty sure, to bad the guy that did the recruiting is in Tennessee now.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
I believe the reason Cuonzo Martin left was the exact same reason Painter almost
left last spring. Our AD was tight so they didn’t have the recruiting advantages other schools such as MSU, OSU, IU and KY have.
yes that
and the fact that he could be the head coach rather than an assistant.
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
your standards
Gezz…a top 15 class is average? C’mon bro…that’s redic.
by boilerbacker31 on Feb 20, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Yea seriously
You do realize that there are over 300 d1 basketball teams, right? 15th in the nation would put us at the top 4 or 5%. I think its safe to call that more than “above average”.
Boiler up, IU sucks.
The next two classes have a chance to be special.
These classes don’t have super blue chip recruits. However, I feel like the players compliment each other very well. Painter knows what he is doing. I wish he had picked up at least 1 willis, williams, dawson, etc. but what he has is a bunch of good players who have a chance to be great together.
Bryson Scott will probably be a 5 star, he can play.
and we will be very deep that is for sure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-wQRfYDrjM
by BoilerBaller25 on Feb 20, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
he only goes left
but is a righty. I don’t get it. He’s very good, but not a 5 star. Probably wind up 40ish overall.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
And I am completely fine with a top 40 player.
The only thing that worries me slightly about his game is his height. I don’t know how well he will be able to slash through defense when the average player is much taller.
meh
his height won’t be a problem. He does a lot better at slashing with speed like LewJack than with his body like Ray Davis and Barlow. He’s the type of PG that can get into the lane against all types of guards. The Davis and Barlows of the world tend to struggle in the college game because they’re body slashers, which has issues against similar sized individuals. TJ was a body slasher in high school and it shows in his college struggles.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
Is he the best of the 2012-13 recruits
Or is it Stephens
assuming he starts to use his right hand on the dribble and Stephens doesn't grow 4 more inches (its possible)
yes, by a good amount. Scott and Etwaun were very similar players at this point in their development and they’ll likely end up similarly ranked. Scott probably a little lower.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
I know its a long way down the road, and a lot of things can happen
but 2014-15 should be amazing. WE will have AJ and Lawson as seniors, plus Hale who will be old and those three could provide great senior/very old junior leadership. Plus the 2012 class as juniors, who have developed into very good players. Then Bryson and Kendall, two of the most talented recruits in the next couple years providing great guard play, then a very athletic Basil Smotherman adding great rebounding and a grea mid range game. Then the 2014 class (which I think could be very special) adding some talent. We will have a great mix of freshman and older guys and a lot of depth and talent.
The major difference between this year and next year
Is that we will get to see potential for the next years. This year our best players will be graduating so basically its this year or never for the current team, with only a small base of potential to work from going forward. With the players coming in, even if they don’t win 20 games next year, we will be able to see the future and have a solid base to build upon each year, so we don’t have a drop-off in all core players like we do from this year to next. The fact that we already have a good class in 2013 is a great start, and if we could put together another class in 2014 I think we will continue to be in the 20+ wins per season for some time to come.
Lawson
I think everyone is forgetting that Lawson is only a year removed from major surgery and still does not have his explosiveness back. Also i feel that with another year of improvement anthony johnson will be a great scorer. One more thing is that i think next year hale might be a big contributer because i have heard rumors he is looking terrific in practices.
Lawson's brickhands
need serious work. They need a machine like a tennis ball gun so the dude can practice catching and rebounding. I think he can be force once he gets some hands.
by SmallMarketBigPlays on Feb 20, 2012 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
This was just not our year
We were in every game this year save, alabama, at psu, and at msu. If only a couple balls bounce different in some of those games, we could be in a very different situation right now. Our two best players, for most of the year, cannot even practice during the week. Tell me how that does not kill a team’s ability to work as a unit. That alone makes me happy we are even in a position to talk about going dancing this year. Next year, michigan scares me, I’m hoping o$u loses players to the draft, msu is always good but they lose Green, illinois will have a new coach, and iu sucks. I think we will be in the second tier of teams and will make the tournament again. I hope Byrd is a good senior leader and that TJ continues to improve. I’m anxious to see Hale and all the freshman. We’ll be fine.
So we have one down year and everyone forgets what this program is capable of?
Remember when Hummel, Moore, and Johnson were freshmen? That team had an awful non-con loss to Wofford, turned it around, and started destroying every B1G team in sight. They were ranked almost the entire second part of the year. For the next 2 years after that we began the season in the top 10. Matt Painter has built a solid program…and when we start stacking recruits the nation had better watch out.
by Jackson Brunner on Feb 20, 2012 5:00 PM EST reply actions
that class had 3 (4? Martin) ranked in the top 76 according to Rivals
the 2012 class has 4 ranked between 91 and 123. Big difference in incoming talent level. All are capable of contributing but likely not up to the part that the 2007 class offered. What the program is capable of and the 2012 team is capable of are two different things.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
2013 has much more returning that 2008 did
Purdue lost about 70% of it’s scoring from that 2007 squad, including Landry & Teague, far and away their leading scorers. The 2008 team only returned about 17 ppg in Big Ten play. Hummel, Smith, Jackson & Barlow currently account for about 60% of this year’s productivity. Purdue returns over 30 ppg next year.
So while Purdue’s incoming recruits may not be as productive as the 2008 group was, the bottom line is they don’t have to be. And the returning players are used to winning. As you are finding out in Bloomington this year, that makes a huge difference.
that is a very true statement and may be the x factor in all of this
my biggest knock with IU this year is that they’re still learning to play with a target on their back instead of being the hunter they’re the hunted. There are nights where they don’t handle that very well.
I’m just not completely sold on the freshmen and veterans making up that difference. The focus on Hummel allows some players some leeway this year. Especially DJ Byrd. Just not feeling confident that the new guys can replicate the old guys that quickly.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
There's no doubt it's a transition year
And there are a lot of question marks. But it’s not unreasonable or even unlikely that they can put together a season at least as good as this one, and build a foundation for some very good teams. While next year’s freshmen may not be as highly touted as the 2007 class, they are solid and deep. And the follow-up class is better than the one that followed the ’07 class.
It’s a legit question as to how good they will be next year. Purdue fans (most of us, anyway) will tend to be optimistic and hopeful. Hoosier fans, even those who try to be even-minded, will tend to think (hope?) it doesn’t work out quite so well.
if it makes you feel better from a bias standpoint
I thought I was being optimistic when I predicted 19 wins for IU this season. So I’ve underestimated player growth in the recent past with my own guys. In no way would I say that my opinion is the only one, but I do feel pretty good in saying that Purdue (without checking out the schedule) is a 19 win team at best in a extremely tough conference. That changes if they run with a light non-conference schedule, but I’m going to assume Purdue will still play a kinda sorta competitive NC schedule similar to this year.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
AAU
If I remember correctly Hummel, Moore, and JJ (Martin?) all played AAU on the same squad for multiple summers. They had a chemistry that also made a big difference. Anyone know how many of our recruits play on the same AAU squad….if any?
I think it was Hummel, Moore and Martin.
JJ was on a different AAU team. I could be wrong though. And I have no clue who is on what AAU team for the future recruits.
I think our line up midyear will be
TJ, AJ, Byrd, Hale, Hammons. TJ and AJ are both combo guards, capable ball handlers. Not in the same class as Ronnie, who is a pure PG, I just don’t see him starting over AJ and TJ. Either way Ronnie will get plenty of time. Hale is a man for a freshman and already has a year in the system, and is more versatile as a power forward than Lawson. First off the bench for each position will probably be RJ, Hart, Davis, Lawson, and Carrol.
Hart will be used in a similar manner as this year, kind of a spot up shooter who plays limited minutes. I think Davis is the main guy off the bench for the 2-3 position. Big, strong, tough. However, I think AJ and TJ will play most of the 2 spot minutes. But, with Byrd as our only true 3 besides RD, he will get a decent amount of PT, especially if we go small on some teams (which the thought excites me, until I see Hale really play or Lawson improves.)
Lawson needs range up to 15 feet to really get the starting PF spot imo. Carrol, Marcius, and Hammons will all average about 13 minutes at the 5, but that may be expecting too much from Marcius. Carrol will get his minutes, as he has the highest bball IQ of that group.
I fully expect Simpson to red shirt. Simply because it seems par for the course for Painter lately, and we’re stacked at the 4/5, especially if we go small sometimes.
I said it in another post and I will say it hear.
I think depending on the level of play by the freshman, 20 wins going into the tournament would be a good estimate. That can easily go up or down depending on how well they adapt though. Hammons’ play in particular is going to be the most important. We desperately need a true post player right now.
Chooch
It seems like everyone is forgetting about Marcius in their analysis of the 5. AJH will definitely be exciting to watch but I have a feeling that Marcius will really start to come on next season and probably pass Carrol on the depth chart.
He has shown in the non con that he has the athleticism and post moves to be a solid center, he just isn’t disciplined enough to do it against B1G centers right now. Give him another year of experience and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a legit impact, and I could even see him getting some starts.
Carroll will start at the 4 next year alongside Hammons at the 5
TC will be the biggest jump in performance between this year and next year. I’m very confident in that.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
defensively especially
offensively he’ll be a 8 point a game type guy.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
Wow
What have you seen in Carroll to be so sure? I love how hard he plays all the time, and he is smart but I feel like his athleticism is going to hold him back somewhat.
Maybe it would be different if he can play the 4, but I also don’t think he is quite long enough to be a standout defender either.
I've seen something
I don’t know what it is, but lately when he has gotten in the game I see a spark of something that resembles good basketball. He needs to put up a lot of 15 ft shots this offseason, but he has a nice shot mechanically and this staff did do wonders with JJ. I think he can play some PF and give us a different dynamic at times by having a really big front line.
by OldSchoolStyle on Feb 20, 2012 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
just what I saw in high school of him
and how incredibly out of position he is guarding the 5. Put him at the 4 and he’s incredibly competent.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
by JustAJ on Feb 20, 2012 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
Hammons/Carrol as a C/F combo. With Marcius/Simpson providing some backup minutes.
by Bloomington.Boiler on Feb 20, 2012 6:22 PM EST up reply actions
I'm with you on that one
I don’t think Simpson will be seeing too many minutes next year.
Reaction images? I got 'em
Senior All-American Alto Sax
No matter what
I like our size we can throw at teams. We have some scorers on the wings, a true PG and a scoring PG, good size at all positions, a team that is going to be good defensively, and a good coach. If there would have been an option of 18-22 then it would be a no brainer choice for me, but since there isn’t I said 20+. I also think the B1G can’t be as hard as it is this year.
It's gonna get harder.
-Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, and Purdue are all bringing in top 25 classes.
-Michigan, Indiana, MSU, Iowa, and Wisconsin are all bringing in Super 60 freshman who might be starting by the time conference play starts.
-Michigan, MSU, and Wisconsin in particular are bringing in three very good players in McGary, Dekker, and Harris respectively.
Iowa is going to be the big surprise next year
barring an injury I’d put them at 6 or 7 in conference. They’re going to be pretty good. Big Ten is only getting tougher. Remember this was supposed to be a down year in the conference with next year being its return to glory.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
Exactly, the Big Ten wasn't supposed to be good at all this year.
Illinois may be on a downward trend but Iowa, Michigan, and Indiana are all rising back in the national spotlight. Purdue has a transition period but will be back with the two upcoming classes. MSU is MSU, and Ohio State seems a bit iffy next year with their total lack of any recruit in the ’12 class. The Big Ten is going to be a very, very tough conference these next few years.
What is going on with OSU?
Who all are they going to lose this year? They aren’t bringing in a single recruit as of now. I know they have some very good players on the bench that don’t see a lot of time now, but are they going to have enough to be able to contend for the top of the league next year?
I have no idea to be honest.
I know they are in the running to get a couple of pretty good recruits, but they are competing with a lot of great programs for them. I’m guessing Sullinger leaves this year and possibly Thomas. This is Buford’s last year as well.
Yea that's exactly what I was thinking.
I wasn’t sure about Thomas, but he would be a first rounder most likely if he left.
I hope he does leave
They did have 4 ESPN top 100 kids in this year’s class. I think two of them were McDonald’s AAs. They will probably just keep rolling until they get hit with sanctions again. You know it is just a matter of time. It may be because I graduated from Purdue, but it is unbelievable to me how much that school values athletics.
They may finish 6 or 7 this year!
Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Penn State will all probably finish behind them, with Northwestern, Purdue, and even Indiana possible of slipping behind them if they get to 9-9
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
lawson
I think playing the 5 was a huge struggle for him this year. That is not his game. Playing alongside Hammond should really allow him to exploit people with his athleticism.
Boiler Up! Hammer Down!
by JuJuan some Moore? on Feb 20, 2012 7:07 PM EST reply actions
20 plus
Why we have a three time B1G Ten coach of the year. That should be enough . Terrible comments on here ! We don’t have a go to player I submit DJ Byrd and Terone. We have average recruits. To add 4 players and rank in the top 15 is not average. I could go on but many of you wouldn’t get it. Players develope and evolve, Trust in Painter to win 3 COY in 5 years from his peers is saying he can coach. DJ and Ryne where trashed by the fans until now . I have seen DJ do things that would amaze you He was a the tallest player on North Mont. And he had us in every game once saw him make 7 three’s in a row. I can’t count how many he has hit from beyond half court. AJ Johnson will step up. And Carrol will be a different player. We have Painter and thats more than most. As for this year lets wait and see before throwing in the towel .
Summer Homework
Needs: 1. Summer tour (every four years) for team chemistry. 2. No foot/back/knee injuries in practice before season starts. 3. Just a little 1-3-1, match-up and 2-3 Zone (forgive my sin). 4. NO honorary coach summer jobs—-concentrate on Purdue this coming year for chemistry sake. Result: 20+
sadly it has its place in basketball if you're physically overmatched
IU finally caved to playing some zone this year after the halfway point and it has improved the perimeter defense. It sucks and I hate it, but a zone has its place.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
IU ZONE
IU has some horrible DEFENDERS!
Hulls…….is slow but at least he is short to compensate. I actually like the kid……..he played GREAT in Mackey.
Roth THE sloth…….eye of an eagle……speed of a snail……
VD3 and Watford are below average defenders too………
Oladipo and Sheehy could play for IZZI or Painter.
20+ wins
All Painter needs is traditional talent to fill every position and he’ll have it next year. We will finally have multiple combinations of rebounding, shot blocking, and size at the #4 and #5 positions.
totally agree
Our biggest advantage is painter and iu has a glorified cheerleader who claps alot
by clappy the clown on Feb 20, 2012 9:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions
you make it sound as if it wasn't close
One of those games where a late 5 points including a “dagger” 3 plus fouling in excess for no reason afterward skews the result of a game.
meh
I was just trolling the troll. I realize it was much closer than the eye test gives it. Just poking a little fun while I can. I haven’t had that opportunity in 3 years you know.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
Home wins
I am appalled that we lost so many home games this year. Easily, the biggest disappointment to me this year.
This.
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Not as strong as +1 I think.
by Beavis Beefcake on Feb 21, 2012 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think we should put too much pressure on the freshmen
Next year will hinge on how our current players improve.
DJ Byrd is emerging as a leader for this team both offensively and defensively. He just needs to learn how to stay out of foul trouble.
The Johnsons have shown a lot of improvement over the course of the year. If AJ can be consistent and if TJ can improve his shooting, they both have the chance to be major contributors.
Unfortunately, our bigs have so much to work on and I don’t think Hammons nor Simpson will be an immediate remedy to our low-post woes. If I am wrong, I will gladly eat my words.
Reaction images? I got 'em
Senior All-American Alto Sax
"He just needs to learn how to stay out of foul trouble."
By foul trouble do you mean punching bouncers? :)
Split on 16-20 and 20+
Most years our non-conference slate should net double digit wins. If we can hit 8-9 conference wins and pick up a win or two in the conference tourney and whatever tournament we end up in, 20+ is realistic. The idea of a 16-19 win season isn’t to far fetched, it depends on how the new guys come in.
Honestly I think if he’s up for it, Hammons is going to be called on immediately to play if he’s physically prepared and has the skillset. This team needs a big guy who can actually demand the ball in the post and score. The four spot will probably be up for the taking between Lawson and Hale with Simpson possibly putting his foot in the door. We’ll have DJ Byrd most likely playing the three and then the three Johnsons splitting playing time at the two guard positions.
While I like Smith, I don’t think he’s a major loss since he can’t do much more than score outside and isn’t a threat to drive to the bucket. Lewis Jackson will be a big loss, so will Hummel, but if one of the Johnsons can play well at the point and our bigs can actually create an inside game we very well could be on the same level (or even better) offensively.
It’ll really come down to if our current young guys continue to develop (A. Johnson, T. Johnson, Lawson, Hale) and how much the freshman bring to the table. The team should be capable of winning, though.
http://theboilermaker.blogspot.com/
by Bryan Steedman on Feb 21, 2012 12:53 AM EST reply actions
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