2016 Purdue Basketball Recruiting: Desmond Bane to Visit vs. MSU

There has not been a lot of new when it comes to basketball recruiting of late. Carsen Edwards is tearing it up in Texas and is now No. 88 on the ESPN 100, but other than that there is very little news. First, let's look at the scholarship grid:

Purdue technically has two slots open for next year, but coach Painter may bank those spots for the 2017 class since Kendall Stephens is the lone departing senior next year. The 2017 season is also in flux because if Vince Edwards or Caleb Swanigan blows up the NBA may come calling. There isn't much we can do about that right now, however.

Coach Painter could also be on the lookout for another freshman to add to the 2016 class. A potential member of that class is visiting tonight in the person of Desmond Bane.

Seton Catholic guard Desmond Bane (2016) will attend Purdue game vs. Michigan State tomorrow.

— Kyle Neddenriep (@KyleNeddenriep) February 9, 2016

Bane hails from Richmond, Indiana, where he plays for local small school Seton Catholic. They are relatively new to the IHSAA level. They are one of the smallest schools in the state of Indiana with an enrollment of just 81 students in all four grades and a 2015 senior class of just 8 according to the IHSAA. Just five schools are smaller, and one is the Indiana School for the Blind, which does not compete in every sport. They are ridiculously small even for a 1A school, but they have been competing since the 2006-07 season.

For the last two years they have even won their sectional and progressed to the regional, mostly thanks to Bane. He is a 6'5" wing that has been a scoring machine for Seton Catholic. As a sophomore in 2014 he averaged 17.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.3 steals as Seton Catholic went 15-8 and won its first sectional. Last season he upped his averages to 26.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.9 blocks. Seton Catholic went 18-7 and won a second straight sectional, but lost for the second straight year in the regional to Liberty Christian. The Liberty Christian score closed from 83-55 to 51-47, however.

This year Seton Catholic is an impressive 17-3 and ranked third behind Bloomfield and nemesis Liberty Christian (who beat Seton 55-49 on January 15) in Class A. More importantly, Bane is simply going off. He averages 29.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.1 steals, and 3.5 blocks per game as a legitimate quadruple-double threat.

Now, I know what you're thinking. He plays for a tiny school and is putting up huge numbers against lesser competition. That's what Stephen Toyra did. Well, for the most part that is true, but Seton got into the prestigious 16-team Bob Wettig Holiday Tournament at Richmond HS this year. This tournament occurs every year between Christmas and New Years and has several very good teams in it, often from larger classes. To do well in it, with four guaranteed games over three days, means you're a solid team.

Seton Catholic placed third out of the 16 teams.

They got started by beating host Richmond (enrollment 1,415) 62-58 in the opening round on Richmond's floor. Richmond was only 26-4 last year, won the North Central conference, and reached the Class 4A semi-state. Seton then beat Hamilton Heights 72-61 in the quarterfinals. As you know, Heights gave us Grant Weatherford. In the semifinals Seton lost to 4A school Bedford North Lawrence 68-61, but won the third place game over Warren Central (enrollment 3,602, third in the state) 61-57.

Here is an article on Bane from before the Richmond tournament:

The 6-foot-5 guard scored more than 40 points for the second time this season in leading Seton to its fifth straight victory Tuesday, pouring in 41 points in a 98-41 win over Randolph Southern that saw Bane sit out most of the fourth quarter.

He shot 69 percent from the field that game, right above his season average of 67, as he pushed his state-leading points per game to 35.4. Heading into Saturday night's slate of games, Eugene German of 21st Century Charter in Gary ranked second with 29.2 points per game.

"My confidence is really high right now," Bane said. "I can't thank my teammates enough. They're putting me in great positions to score the basketball. My coaches are drawing up good plays for me to get to the rim. I'm just hot right now and the ball is falling through the hoop. I'm glad, and I'm really thankful."

Bane has some ridiculous numbers. He his shooting 49% from three, 75% on 2-point field goals alone, and 82% from the line. His team averages 71 points per game and has gone as high as 107 this year. They have four regular season games left this season, and will be heavily favored to win a third straight sectional before getting one last shot at Liberty Christian in the regional.

Phenom Hoop Report has this on him:

"Desmond Bane has excellent size accompanied with an outstanding attitude and work ethic on the court. He's a great penetrator and finishes through contact. Simply put, he can get to the rim at any time. In addition, he can step out and knock down 3-pointers. He's physically strong and would be a complete steal at the D1 level.  Bane averaged over 20 PPG in the three camp games and scored from all levels on the court.

From the outset, Bane was on a mission. All he did all day was rebound, defend, and score. What more do you want in a kid? If it weren't for the stellar play of his camp teammate, Kris Wilkes, Bane would have been a choice for camp MVP. Bane has a college ready frame, with great strength. He was comfortable handling the ball in the half court, and was able to get downhill at will."

That was from the preseason Indiana top 8 workout. Kris Wilkes is only the No. 27 player nationally in the 2017 class and a long-time Purdue target. Wilkes could be a McDonald's All-American next spring and a 5-star that Purdue is going after, hard.

Here is some video:

So is Painter going to offer? As far as I can see he is not really rated, but some schools are starting to take notice. Air Force and Furman are the only D-I programs that have offered, but it sounds like more are coming. He is doing what he needs to do to get noticed by being in the top 10 in the state in scoring, rebounding and assists. Given the flux that Purdue's scholarship situation is in he might be worth a flyer, especially if he knows a kid like Wilkes and can be used to get him here in 2017.