Still Early for the Youngins

College basketball is underway and there have already been some upsets, see Kentucky losing at home to Evansville. While you don’t want to see your team lose any of those games but in college basketball it’s important to remember there are bad loses. Ever since quadrants were introduced it became a new way to judge wins and loses.

Purdue is one of those young teams and that was on display late in the Texas game. There was a bad call late that could have changed the outcome but the Boilers struggled down the stretch and let the game get away to an unranked, albeit a likely solid, Longhorns team. This team will need to grow up with some tough non conference games.

It’s not a surprise the Boilermakers have to figure something out after losing a ton of their offense in Carsen Edwards and Ryan Cline. There were solid contributors on the Elite 8 team from last year but it’s a new year and that means a new lead scorer needs to step up, though this team will likely do it together, but when push comes to shove who’s going to take the shot in crunch time?

Jahaad Proctor was a great get for Painter as the grad transfer brings experience and it has shown early. Proctor is leading the team with 19 points a game and shooting 57% from the field. He has been solid from long range but that isn’t his game. T hat’s why his free throw percentage is a bit of a head scratcher. As a player that cuts to the rim it’s important to make teams pay when you get sent to the charity stripe. Behind him an early favorite has to be Aaron Wheeler. He had flashes in the NCAA run and has the looks of a future NBA player. He’s averaging 7 points and 8 boards a game and will need to step up as a mismatch at the power forward spot. Next to him is Matt Haarms whose energy is just as big a factor as his production on the court. Purdue has put together quite the history of producing big men and Haarms is up next. Haarms is averaging 12.5 points and 4 blocks a game, but only 4.5 rebounds a game. The Boilers need Haarms and Wheeler to produce down low to find shots for shooters.

Sasha Stefanovic missed the first game but introduced himself in a big way against Texas. Another thing Painter’s squads have had is a productive guard that is a sniper. Stefanovic poured in 14 points and shot over 50% from three. That’s going to be key to balance out the post and provide space for the point guards. You could see it last year, and it’s big shoes to fill, but Sasha looks like he’ll step right in for Cline.

There’s no way any Purdue fan can’t like Nojel Eastern. He’s tough, grimy and makes all those plays that Chris Kramer did that can defensively change the game and momentum. Eastern is dealing with injuries and not at 100% but his work on his shot has shown already. Kramer had an ability to do just enough on offense and make teams pay at the line and that’s what Eastern needs to while leading this offense. He’s a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year candidate and it’ll be on him to provide a steady hand for this offense.

Eric Hunter is the other youngin that is stepping up and has delivered thus far, averaging 13.5 PPG game and is tied for the team lead in Assists per game but only at 3.5. He has the speed that you saw with Carsen Edwards when he first put on the black and old gold, albeit reckless at times, but the ball in his hands can move quick. On the fast break he ought to be devastating for the season and has already shown he can score. Isaiah Thompson is the only freshmen and new face seeing minutes, minus Proctor as the grad transfer, so while this team is still young all of them were part of the Elite 8 run last year. Painter has set the standard, and continued on the Purdue tradition, of being a top team no matter what. Last year the teams wasn’t expected to win but they still hung up their 24th Big Ten Championship banner. Even with a young team there’s no reason not to expect another solid team and NCAA Tournament birth.

While the Boilermakers lost at home to Texas, and believe me it stunk to watch it slip away, last year’s team started out 6-5 before figuring it out in conference. Purdue has plenty of very winnable games in the non-conference to work on things but also has some tough teams to grow up against. Tonight is at Marquette in the Gavitt Tipoff, VCU and either Tennessee or Florida State for the Emerald Coast Classic, Virginia for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and Butler in the Crossroads Classic. Right there is another two or three potentially ranked teams before another Big Ten conference slate. Purdue is 1-1 with tough games coming up, but hey, at least we aren’t Kentucky and losing at home as the #1 team and a 25 point favorite. It’s a young team with not a ton of experience that will need to grow up, but with plenty of opportunities to do so. There’s no doubt they’ll be good just don’t forget it’s early.