Point guards

[Kat burglar]

I think this team has been without a true point guard since BMac and that has made all the difference in the world. I think BMac was a very good floor general who was unselfish, efficient and ran the offense well, but we have not had a point guard who could run the offense, drive, create and breakdown defenses. PGs who can do this create chaos and allow dunks for other wings and bigs. This has been sorely missing. I also think this is where Collins wants to go, but these guys are few and far between. We may have two next year.

I think Buie may develop into this. He showed flashes of brilliance before the injury. Ty Berry may develop into this. The beauty is that we will have both on the team next year. We already have very good wings and a highly competent center, but we have been missing the quick PGs.

I love what we are becoming:

1 Buie and Berry
2. Gaines and Audige
3&4. Kopp, Nance and Beran
5 Young and Jones (Nicholson?)

We will also have 5 shooters (BB, TB, CA, MK, RB). That should limit those 8 minute droughts we seem to have. Javon Freeman would have helped too.

That is a solid core. Wish we had full scholly roster for depth, but one step at a time. I like where we are going. Berry and Audige help alleviate our biggest weakness, the back court.

 

[GatoLouco]

I believe the lack of a point guard was over hyped last year. Not that it didn't hurt us. It did. But does not justify winning just 4 games. Not when you were good on D, and had offensive weapons like Law, Pardon and Taylor.

We are good at finding excuses like "it made all the difference in the world". We've had tons since the tournament:
1) Oh, we lost Sanjay. Our glue guy
2) Oh, we lost Tap. He was such a reliable shooter off the bench
3) Oh, we had injuries
4) Oh, we played at All State
5) Oh, we had no reliable play at PG

The lack of a traditional point guard has been mitigated many a times, in many teams. Easier at the pro level as players are a lot more mature. Still way over hyped last year in a team with 3 seniors as starters.

Face it, all the excuses hurt us, but we had plenty of talent to win more than 6 and 4 games.

 

[Medill90]

I believe the lack of a point guard was over hyped last year. Not that it didn't hurt us. It did. But does not justify winning just 4 games. Not when you were good on D, and had offensive weapons like Law, Pardon and Taylor.

We are good at finding excuses like "it made all the difference in the world". We've had tons since the tournament:
1) Oh, we lost Sanjay. Our glue guy
2) Oh, we lost Tap. He was such a reliable shooter off the bench
3) Oh, we had injuries
4) Oh, we played at All State
5) Oh, we had no reliable play at PG

The lack of a traditional point guard has been mitigated many a times, in many teams. Easier at the pro level as players are a lot more mature. Still way over hyped last year in a team with 3 seniors as starters.

Face it, all the excuses hurt us, but we had plenty of talent to win more than 6 and 4 games.

The college game is about guard play and NU didn't sufficiently have them last year

 

[Kat burglar]

I like to put out markers.

Last year I said 2 tough years, then NIT, then NCAA.

I still like that.

Collins is executing his plan. With bumps in the road he is still executing...

 

[GatoLouco]

The college game is about guard play and NU didn't sufficiently have them last year

I agree with that.

Just saying we had enough talent to win more than 4 games.

Years ago Ohio State's version of a point guard was Evan Turner. Purdue has no guard play this season.

Again, it hurt us, probably naive to think we could be a tournament contender last year without one. But 4 wins? With 3 seniors starting? It went far beyond the lack of play at PG

 

[EvanstonCat]

I think this team has been without a true point guard since BMac and that has made all the difference in the world. I think BMac was a very good floor general who was unselfish, efficient and ran the offense well, but we have not had a point guard who could run the offense, drive, create and breakdown defenses. PGs who can do this create chaos and allow dunks for other wings and bigs. This has been sorely missing. I also think this is where Collins wants to go, but these guys are few and far between. We may have two next year.

I think Buie may develop into this. He showed flashes of brilliance before the injury. Ty Berry may develop into this. The beauty is that we will have both on the team next year. We already have very good wings and a highly competent center, but we have been missing the quick PGs.

I love what we are becoming:

1 Buie and Berry
2. Gaines and Audige
3&4. Kopp, Nance and Beran
5 Young and Jones (Nicholson?)

We will also have 5 shooters (BB, TB, CA, MK, RB). That should limit those 8 minute droughts we seem to have. Javon Freeman would have helped too.

That is a solid core. Wish we had full scholly roster for depth, but one step at a time. I like where we are going. Berry and Audige help alleviate our biggest weakness, the back court.

Is Audige really all that great? He was a role player from a mid-major. Can't see that he's going to be much more than that for us much less a real difference maker if guys like Turner and Taylor could only give us what they have.

 

[NJCat]

Is Audige really all that great? He was a role player from a mid-major. Can't see that he's going to be much more than that for us much less a real difference maker if guys like Turner and Taylor could only give us what they have.

Time will tell. But he got serious minutes (29 mpg) as a true Freshman, shot a decent 37% from 3, and averaged almost 10 points a game. NU has had more than its share of trouble beating mid-majors........so that probably isn't a big knock on his experience.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Audige doesn’t have to be great. He needs to be a complement to Boo and Berry. If he can shoot the 3, that’s a great start.

 

[GatoLouco]

Haywood has stated here that the coaching staff is very happy with him.

He might have been a "role player" in a mid major. But how many freshman are not?

9.6/4.1/2.4 while shooting 47% as a freshman guard, mid major or not, is pretty impressive.

For comparison, as he, understandably, comes up so much on this board, Javon Freeman went for 11/5.6/3.3 while shooting 45.2%. And most people have noticed what he's doing this year.

 

[haywood jahblowme]

Haywood has stated here that the coaching staff is very happy with him.

He might have been a "role player" in a mid major. But how many freshman are not?

9.6/4.1/2.4 while shooting 47% as a freshman guard, mid major or not, is pretty impressive.

For comparison, as he, understandably, comes up so much on this board, Javon Freeman went for 11/5.6/3.3 while shooting 45.2%. And most people have noticed what he's doing this year.

i have heard he should do REALLY well with two other scorers like kopp and buie

 

[haywood jahblowme]

here is a fun video of hopefully things to come. i think 2:18-2:45 shows how he can add a dynamic aspect we don't have a lot of

 

[NJCat]

here is a fun video of hopefully things to come. i think 2:18-2:45 shows how he can add a dynamic aspect we don't have a lot of

Serious hops. Shooting form reminiscent of Vic Law. Plays with an attitude. What's not to like?

 

[hdhntr1]

Do not forget Greer. When he gets to play he seems pretty solid.. Not outstanding talent(such as the other two) but pretty solid and finding his way. In short we will have three guys that can potentially handle the role.

 

[hdhntr1]

I agree with that.

Just saying we had enough talent to win more than 4 games.

Years ago Ohio State's version of a point guard was Evan Turner. Purdue has no guard play this season.

Again, it hurt us, probably naive to think we could be a tournament contender last year without one. But 4 wins? With 3 seniors starting? It went far beyond the lack of play at PG

Sorry but without the PG and with injuries, we did not.

 

[hdhntr1]

Is Audige really all that great? He was a role player from a mid-major. Can't see that he's going to be much more than that for us much less a real difference maker if guys like Turner and Taylor could only give us what they have.

First he is a backup behind Gaines for a couple years. That gets him 15 MPG as a solid backup. He just needs to be solid enough that he does not hurt us in the role

 

[NJCat]

First he is a backup behind Gaines for a couple years. That gets him 15 MPG as a solid backup. He just needs to be solid enough that he does not hurt us in the role

He already seems to have a better offensive game than Anthony......

 

[GatoLouco]

Sorry but without the PG and with injuries, we did not.

Uh? What significant injuries did we have last year?

Nance - was out for a good while. Was not seeing a lot of time on the court
Law - got injured, I believe, in the last game of conference play.
Ash - no comment
Falzon - no comment

Even if we did have more, memory fails me, you speak like if we are the only ones who get players injured. Others do too, and we are supposed to have an easier time winning against them when they do.

4 wins is terrible for a seasoned team. Period.

 

[hdhntr1]

He already seems to have a better offensive game than Anthony......

The thing that got Gaines on the court is his D. He is solid in that and as someone to steady things as he took on the other team's best offensive weapon. And Audige's O has been at the mid major level. I see Audige as a solid backup to the position, an energy guy and versatile tool. If he is more than that next year, whoopee

 

[torque-cat]

Uh? What significant injuries did we have last year?

Nance - was out for a good while. Was not seeing a lot of time on the court
Law - got injured, I believe, in the last game of conference play.
Ash - no comment
Falzon - no comment

Even if we did have more, memory fails me, you speak like if we are the only ones who get players injured. Others do too, and we are supposed to have an easier time winning against them when they do.

4 wins is terrible for a seasoned team. Period.

Law was banged up most of the year or at least most of conference play I thought. It effected his shot and other aspects of his game.

 

[hdhntr1]

Uh? What significant injuries did we have last year?

Nance - was out for a good while. Was not seeing a lot of time on the court
Law - got injured, I believe, in the last game of conference play.
Ash - no comment
Falzon - no comment

Even if we did have more, memory fails me, you speak like if we are the only ones who get players injured. Others do too, and we are supposed to have an easier time winning against them when they do.

4 wins is terrible for a seasoned team. Period.

Law may not have been knocked out but he was injured more than that and just struggled through. Very often the difference is not huge but just enough. Over the last couple years we are about 2-12 in games decided by 5 points or less. And the lack of a true PG had a lot to do with it. And please clarify that it is conference wins and not wins

 

[NJCat]

The thing that got Gaines on the court is his D. He is solid in that and as someone to steady things as he took on the other team's best offensive weapon. And Audige's O has been at the mid major level. I see Audige as a solid backup to the position, an energy guy and versatile tool. If he is more than that next year, whoopee

I'm not suggesting Audige will be all Big 10. But to knock his FY stats because they are against mid-major competition might be unfair. I haven't seen any current NU player consistently shine against mid- and low-major competition this season.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Uh? What significant injuries did we have last year?

Nance - was out for a good while. Was not seeing a lot of time on the court
Law - got injured, I believe, in the last game of conference play.
Ash - no comment
Falzon - no comment

Even if we did have more, memory fails me, you speak like if we are the only ones who get players injured. Others do too, and we are supposed to have an easier time winning against them when they do.

4 wins is terrible for a seasoned team. Period.

NU got zero from the PG position last year. Period. AJ is a 2-3 and nowhere near a B1G PG. He gave it his best effort, but classic example of square peg in round hole. This was the main reason the team sucked last year. I don’t see anyone saying NU shouldn’t have won more than 4 B1G games. You both can be right! NU would have doubled it’s B1G win total with an average PG. Yes, Pat Spencer like guard.

Anyways, who cares about last year. We aren’t going to win 4 B1G games this year and they are actually interesting to watch. IMO, CCC has done a great job this year. He was awful last year in nearly every respect. This year, you can see what this team will be. He has mellowed out and can’t have the quick hook after a mistake like he is known for. Pretty much every guy on the team has improved since the start of the season. NU should be a NIT next year and a big dance team the following year.

 

[hdhntr1]

NU got zero from the PG position last year. Period. AJ is a 2-3 and nowhere near a B1G PG. He gave it his best effort, but classic example of square peg in round hole. This was the main reason the team sucked last year. I don’t see anyone saying NU shouldn’t have won more than 4 B1G games. You both can be right! NU would have doubled it’s B1G win total with an average PG. Yes, Pat Spencer like guard.

Anyways, who cares about last year. We aren’t going to win 4 B1G games this year and they are actually interesting to watch. IMO, CCC has done a great job this year. He was awful last year in nearly every respect. This year, you can see what this team will be. He has mellowed out and can’t have the quick hook after a mistake like he is known for. Pretty much every guy on the team has improved since the start of the season. NU should be a NIT next year and a big dance team the following year.

Even if it is just out next year and NIT the following year, they should be a lot more fun to watch

 

[Medill90]

I wouldn't compare him to Law.

More of a Scottie L. Stronger frame than Vic. (though shorter)

Nice handle, shot, creates from everywhere.

 

[GOUNUII]

i have heard he should do REALLY well with two other scorers like kopp and buie

Amazing what having talent around you can do for any player. But why no mention of Beran with Kopp and Buie?

Thanks for the bump in reasons to be hopeful about 2020-21. I am still suffering from the what ifs of losing an explosive and committed scorer like Bamisile.

GOUNUII