Purdue's Lance Jones ready for NCAA tournament debut; Boilermaker NCAA Tournament notebook
INDIANAPOLIS—This is why Lance Jones came to Purdue, and it’s also why Matt Painter and his staff added the transfer from Southern Illinois to this year’s team.
A missing piece last year was the lack of overall quickness and athletic ability on the perimeter for the Boilermakers, who were bounced in the NCAA tournament’s first round by FDU.
Jones has added a lot of that and more this season as Purdue, the top seed in the Midwest Region, prepares to face another No. 16 seed in Grambling State on Friday (7:25 p.m., TBS) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The matchup against the Tigers is Jones’ first appearance in an NCAA tournament.
“It’s a lot so far but I’d rather be doing this than sitting at home,” Jones said.
And the move to join the Boilermakers has worked out for everyone involved.
Painter has used the same starting lineup all season, and Jones has been part of it. This has allowed the Boilermakers to establish a rotation and consistently utilize players off the bench.
That’s a big responsibility and one Jones has embraced.
“It’s meant everything to me,” he said. “I feel like I’ve worked hard to put myself in a position, but coach Paint knows best. I trust whatever decision he makes because without him, I wouldn’t be here.
“I’m blessed and humbled to be able to start for this program. But I feel like personally, I put myself in that position and I’ve just brought my “A” game.”
Although there’s bound to be some jitters before tipoff, Jones is prepared for what’s coming.
“Just have fun and don’t change a thing,” senior Ethan Morton said of his advice to Jones. “The best part of his game is when he plays freely and goes off his instincts. Don’t get away from that and that’s when we’re at our best and when he’s at his best.”
If Jones follows that plan, he’ll be fine, and the Boilermakers will be in good shape throughout Friday’s game.
When Purdue has needed scoring, Jones has delivered. When it needed defense, he’s come through again, either with steals or drawing charges. He’s also featured several games where both offense and defense were clicking, making the Boilermakers more dangerous.
Jones has heard the talk about being the missing piece to this year’s team but the biggest thing he wanted to do was bring happiness to the program.
“My happiness has rubbed off on these guys,” Jones said. “Everyone has good days and bad days and I try not to let my bad days rub off on those guys. I try not to let it affect my basketball, and even if I don’t want to practice, I try to make the most of it.”
SMITH UPDATE
There’s no real update on Braden Smith’s injury situation.
Smith suffered the leg injury in last weekend’s Big Ten tournament against Michigan State in Minneapolis. He was helped off the floor but later returned and finished out the game. He also played against Wisconsin in the semifinals.
Whether it’s his knee, calf, or something else, Purdue’s point guard remains consistent.
“It’s just the same answer to the same question. I’ve felt good and I’m ready to go,” Smith said.
MYLES COLVIN BACK IN THE MIX
After not seeing the floor in eight Big Ten regular season games from early January on, freshman Myles Colvin has found a role again, playing in each of Purdue’s past three games, often in the first half, and seemingly with defense in mind.
“I think it’s been my defense and I’ve rebounded better than I had previously in the season,” Colvin said of his recent return to a spot in the rotation. “That’s made it easier for me to get out there. And I’ve stepped up and hit some shots.”
Confidence has never been an issue for Colvin, but those games he didn’t play in, that’s a situation he’s never been in, either.
“Just keep working,” Colvin said. “No matter what, just keep working. If you keep working, you’ll stay ready. Whatever happens, I’ll be ready. I’ve been training for these moments my whole life.”
JONES/KEADY DANCE
So, how did Jones and former Purdue coach Gene Keady get together for the Sandstorm Dance, the one performed at halftime in Mackey Arena?
Jones said Keady was the one who reached out.
“When I got the message he wanted to do it with me, I felt honored but also I didn’t think he wanted to do it,” Jones said. “When I showed up to Mackey, he was there.
“He was good. He knew it for the most part. He had fun and I had fun with him.”
BARRETT SURGERY
Once the season is over, Carson Barrett will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus.
Barrett, who was placed on scholarship for the second semester, suffered the injury on Valentine’s Day. The Lafayette Central Catholic graduate is a member of the scout team, which has been important to Purdue’s success this season.
“It’s getting better,” Barrett said. “I have good days, I have bad days and it’s been a bit of a struggle. I reaggravated it but I’m trying my best to stay out there.”
Barrett plans to pursue a career in coaching after his playing days are over. He’d like to stay at Purdue as a graduate assistant, but he added that he hasn’t had those conversations with Painter.
“I love the game of basketball and I just want to be around it as much as possible,” he said. “I think I could really help coaching-wise. I understand the game from a different perspective.”
OLD NEWS
Although Grambling State is in the same position as FDU was last year, coach Donte’ Jackson called the upset loss “old news” when the Boilermakers became the second No. 1 seed to fall in the first round.
“That’s last year,” Jackson said. “Right now, we’ve got to figure out the best game plan for us. We’re not Fairleigh Dickinson; we’re Grambling. We’ve got to go out here and do what’s best for us and try to devise a scheme to put our guys in the best situation, score the ball at a high level, and defend at a high level.”
Jackson planned to watch last year’s game between Purdue and FDU and find other games where the Boilermakers matched up against teams similar to GSU.
“I’m going to pick apart that film left and right and try to figure it out, and I’ll try to pick apart film from the other, I guess, smaller colleges that Purdue will play,” Jackson said. “Doesn’t really make sense for me to watch a lot of the Big Ten film because we’re not the Big Ten. It doesn’t help us a lot.”
LONG NIGHT
The Tigers will trade the euphoria of winning the First Four in exchange for a sleepless night.
That’s what happened Wednesday night/Thursday morning after disposing of Montana State in overtime at the First Four.
“Not a lot of sleep,” Jackson said. “We got here maybe about 1, maybe almost 2 in the morning. Tried to take some film in about 4. Tried to get a little rest. Phone rings at 7:30 in the morning and I’m like, ‘Are you serious?’ My fault for not putting the phone on silent. I couldn’t put it on silent because my kids are at home. So, if they call, I’ve got to be available.
“Right now, no rest for the weary. Got to keep trying to fight the good fight.”
