Sights, sounds, observations from inside the locker rooms of Purdue and Gonzaga

DETROIT – Making the rounds during Thursday’s media session at Little Ceasars Arena:

IVEY’S LOCKER

The Boilermakers are using the Pistons’ locker room during regional. So, who’s using Jaden Ivey’s locker? Let’s approach Caleb Furst and ask the question.

“I have no clue,” Furst said.

Maybe it’s Camden Heide.  

“No idea. I don’t know,” he said.

Mason Gillis wasn’t aware if he was sitting where the former Purdue standout typically sits. The Pistons selected Ivey fifth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

There were no name plates or other identification clues to determine where Ivey’s locker resides, other than somewhere in this fancy space. Rehabilitation and recovery pools were in the next room if the players wanted to take advantage.

There’s a life-sized poster of Ivey – and other Detroit players – in the hallway outside the locker room. The Pistons are out of town through Friday night and there’s a chance Ivey might show up Sunday if the Boilermakers advance to the Elite Eight.

DETROIT CONNECTION

Staying with the Pistons theme.

Fletcher Loyer – who was referred to as his older brother, Foster, in the main press conference – has ties to Detroit. His father, John, was an assistant coach with the Pistons before taking over as an interim coach in 2014.

“So, many memories, especially with the Pistons,” Fletcher said. “It was The Palace of Auburn Hills and now here in Detroit, it’s something I grew up watching games.”

HOT HAND

Staying with the Loyer theme.

He’s 13 of 18 from 3-point range in the last seven games. What’s going right for the sophomore?

“Just getting my feet set, knowing where they’re going to come from and a lot of pressure in on Zach and those kickouts and drives and running down the floor hard in transition being ready to shoot,” he said.  

TRASH TALKER?

Does Loyer consider himself a trash talker?

“Me? I wouldn’t say I’m a trash talker,” he said. “I would say I like to win and whatever I’ve got to do to help the team win and get the guys going.”

RETURN TO MOTOR CITY

Somewhat new theme.

Assistant coach P.J. Thompson remembers the locker room the Boilermakers are currently using. It was the same space in 2018 when Purdue played first and second-round games in Detroit, beating Cal State Fullerton and Butler to advance to the Sweet 16 in Boston.

“I believe I was there close to Trey Kaufman-Renn,” Thompson said, pointing in the direction of the corner.

While the Boilermakers won both games six years ago, it came at a price. Isaac Haas fractured his elbow in what is now known as a hook and hold. College basketball adopted the rule following Haas’ injury.

“It was good,” Thompson said of advancing. “It was hard, but at least we had a chance to play. We were missing our big fella. That kind of stunk.”

“Anytime you’re playing in the NCAA tournament, it’s a blessing. A lot of people don’t get to it. I’ve gotten a chance to do it 15 times.”

NO PRESSURE

Let’s move to Gonzaga’s locker room. It’s much smaller than the space Purdue occupies. That’s what happens when you’re the lower seed in the four-team field.

And the Bulldogs are fully embracing the underdog role. It’s an unfamiliar position for the program, which has played 41 of its 71 NCAA tournament games as a top-four seed.

“The pressure isn’t on us,” senior Antwon Watson said. “We can play freely. I’ve been telling my teammates that. I would be nice to knock off a 1 seed.”

If it happens, Gonzaga will make history. The program is 0-9 all-time against No. 1 seeds.

Watson continued to promote Gonzaga as an underdog, even though the Bulldogs struggled through the regular season and finished runner-up in the West Coast Conference tournament championship. They are 18-3 since Jan. 4.

Despite the strong finish, Gonzaga was viewed as a team on the outside of the NCAA tournament in February.

“You gain that persona where everyone is discrediting us, saying we’re not going to make the tournament, but we’ve made it to this point,” Watson said. “I guess we’re the underdogs. It’s a little different because I’ve been here four years and no one has really doubted us to make the tournament.

“IT’S HEAVEN”

Sitting next to Watson is freshman guard Dusty Stromer. He’s appeared in 16 games with three starts and still has the luggage tag from the Maui Invitational tied to his backpack.

Stromer starts eating his lunch—chicken breast, roasted potatoes, and green beans—without the media hanging around. He doesn’t look lonely but is hungry.

Food is readily available.

“They keep us well fed,” Stromer said.

Was it the same last week in Salt Lake City?  

“Great question,” he said. “Steak?”

The players don’t order their food. It just shows up.

“They just bring it to us. It’s heaven, and I’ll take it,” Stromer said.

“THEY JUST FEED YOU”

Staying with the food theme.

The Boilermakers didn’t have any food in their locker room before heading to practice on the Little Ceasar’s Arena floor.

“We had a pre-practice meal an hour ago,” Furst said. “I’m sure they’ll have a post-practice meal for us, and dinner tonight.”

Before arriving at the arena, Thompson had already eaten two full meals and it was just after 1 p.m.  

“I guess when you win, they just feed you,” Thompson said. “Now that I’m not playing, I can’t eat. I’ve eaten too much.”

Last week in Indianapolis, plastic containers filled with hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, tater tots, broccoli, and carrots, along with salads, all were within reach of the players in the locker room after practice and games.

“They feed us pretty often,” senior Lance Jones said. “It’s for the better. They want to keep us fed and hydrated. It’s that time of the year. They want us to take care of our bodies.”

JONES’ BIG SHOTS

Staying with Jones.

The transfer from Southern Illinois has connected on two long-range shots to end the first half against Marquette in Hawaii and last week in the win over Utah State.

“Just being in that position,” Jones said. “Braden (Smith) was out at that point and when I made it, he said, ‘I knew you were going to shoot it.’ I knew I was going to shoot it too.”

“FUN STUFF”

Let’s return to Furst’s locker.

His computer is open, and a spiral notebook is sitting on his lap. Furst didn’t think he would be the subject of questions from the media. Here comes one.

Is he scouting Gonzaga or focusing on his academic work?

“Genetics. Fun stuff,” he said.

Furst’s long-term plan is to apply and enroll in medical school and become a doctor. He’ll start applying this summer in anticipation of enrolling in the fall of 2025 following his senior year. He’s studying for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).

But there’s something different about Furst. He’s growing a mustache.

“I’ve probably had it for a couple of games,” he said. “It’s a little more prominent now. I was growing it out for a bit so I could shave it and have the look.”

“IT’S GOOD FOR US”

The open locker room session for the media lasts 30 minutes. TV cameras, reporters, bloggers, and anyone else who has a credential can start asking questions.

Not only is the NCAA tournament new for Jones, but so is this experience.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming into it,” Jones said. “I never knew there was an open practice, but I knew there was an open practice at the Final Four. But I didn’t know there was an open locker room after games. It’s all new to me. I’d rather be doing this than not doing anything and back at home watching.”

Ask Kaufman-Renn if open locker rooms compare to a circus, and he agrees.

“For me personally, it is,” he said. “A lot of times the narratives and what other people say around the game is completely separate from what happens in the game.”

Is there anything to like about the open locker room concept?

“I’m trying to think of an answer for you and I can’t think of one right now,” Kaufman-Renn said.

Heide didn’t mind being peppered with questions about Friday’s game or anything else. The subject didn’t matter.  

“I think it’s fun,” Heide said. “For some people, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve been trying to soak everything in and take it in.”

Gillis took a big picture view of the chaos. Calling it a great opportunity for players to speak on a variety of topics – and not just basketball – the back-and-forth is a healthy exercise for the future.

“Ultimately, it’s really good for us,” Gillis said. “You’re put in awkward and uncomfortable situations but that’s life. Communication is a huge thing, whether you’re working at Wal-Mart or Eli Lilly. If you can’t talk to your co-workers or your boss, you’re not going to be successful.”

Gillis was “pushed to talk to people” by his mom and sister since he didn’t enjoy engaging in conversations.

“I think the cameras in our face, tough questions being asked, questions we don’t want to answer—if approached the right way — help us develop into better human beings,” he said.

IMPRESSIVE RUN

One more item to close out.

Did you realize Purdue is 56-10 since beating Gonzaga in the PK85 in Portland in November 2022?

“Really for me, it’s all I’ve known,” Kaufman-Renn said. “I came from high school and didn’t lose, and you go right to college and you don’t lose. It’s all I’ve known.”