You can feel it coming, and not just because many have given up hope for football season. Basketball season is now less than six weeks away and there are less than 100 seats left in the building. Rumor has it that the player featured today, who struggled through much of last season, has bulked up and is ready to contribute more to a potential National Championship run.
Patrick Bade - So.
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN (Franklin Central HS)
Forward
6'8", 229 pounds
2010 Projection: Bench Contributor in the post
Last season was a rough one for Patrick. A lack of depth, especially after Robbie Hummel's injury, meant he had to play some big minutes before he was ready. He served primarily as a Run, Rebound, and Defend guy that spelled JaJuan Johnson. At times he looked overmatched, like the Minnesota game in Minneapolis where Chris Kramer had to come in and play in his spot guarding a 7-footer. He played in all 35 games, but averaged just 1.5 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. His best game came against SIU-Edwardsville (one of the worst D-I teams in the nation) when he had 10 points and eight rebounds. He even made a start when JJ was disciplined against Wisconsin.
There were some bright spots though. He was a rebounding machine in the non-conference season. Against Texas A&M he had a big blocked shot and rebound. He seemed to get better as the season progressed, which is exactly what we needed.
From his high school play he has a bit of a jump shot, making him a possible replacement for Robbie after this season. he can allgedly step out and hit the three, allowing him to swing outside and leave the low block for Sandi Marcius and Travis Carroll. He helped shock an absolutely loaded Lawrence North team in the regional during his senior year with 25 points in a 49-36 win. That win cannot be discounted, as Lawrence North had six Division I players on its roster.
Patrick was also heavily recruited as a tight end in football, but he chose to stick with basketball at Purdue. He has dedicated himself to the game and Lewis Jackson called him the most improved player this summer. He has focused on finishing better and not being as cumbersome, two of his biggest issues last season. If this improvement really is there, we just got a whole lot more dangerous as a basketball team.