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So far the biggest news that has come out of Big Ten Media Day for basketball is the following concerning junior forward Basil Smotherman:
#Purdue coach Matt Painter said junior forward Basil Smotherman could be a redshirt possibility. Depends on injuries, his mindset, etc.
— Nathan Baird (@nbairdjc) October 15, 2015
This is a big surprise to me. Smotherman played 19 minutes per game last year and averaged 5 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. More importantly, he gave Purdue more athleticism when he was in the lineup. His rebounding doubled from his freshman season and his scoring almost doubled.
This move could be because of a logjam of forwards. Rapheal Davis, Vince Edwards, and Caleb Swanigan are the top three, with Edwards versatile enough to play both spots if needed. Smotherman is more of a three, but has not developed the shooting touch from outside that the position demands. There is also Jacquil Taylor coming off of redshirt as a 4.
Still, I would like to see Basil play. He is an exciting player and can play the 4 when Purdue wants to go smaller and quicker. This seems odd, so maybe he is more hurt than we know. FTR, I did not know he was hurt.