Purdue basketball scrimmage observations: Freshman guards, big man passing

Posted by Admin October 20, 2024 Basketball

WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue men’s basketball’s Fan Day scrimmages revealed the Boilermakers’ solution to replace a big departure.

No, the other one. Lance Jones’ perimeter defense and ball handling skills complemented both Braden Smith and allowed them to thrive in their preferred matchups.

The freshman class provides two emerging options to fill that role: C.J. Cox and Gicarri Harris. They went head-to-head in one period, with Cox getting the better of Harris on one trip up the floor with a midcourt steal and run-out.

Cox’s 15 points across the three scrimmage periods were second only to Fletcher Loyer’s 17. Harris contributed three assists and three steals as he continues to burnish his defensive reputation.

“We have a lot of guys, but C.J. and Gicarri give us another ballhandler; they give us another defender,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “Lance really helped us in that area, and both of those guys give us more of that look.”

Both brought the ball up when placed on the squad opposite Smith. That will prove useful when he needs a break or when ball pressure necessitates an extra ballhandler on the floor.

Yet both also bring more to the role. Cox’s shot-making ability included a 3 of 4 performance from 3-point range. He made 6 of 9 overall, including some mid-range looks.

“He can shoot the crap out of the ball − and he’s super-aggressive as well,” Smith said. “That’s what we want from him and what he’s really good at. We’re not going to tell him not to take his mid-range jump shot because he’s probably one of the best at it.”

“He’s a complete player,” Loyer said. “He can shoot the 3, he can guard, he can pass and handle the ball, and he can play with a lot of different groups of people. So I think him being able to compete and go out there and play hard is what’s been separating him and is what’s going to continue to separate him.”

Other takeaways from the final public scrimmage before Saturday’s exhibition at Creighton.

Pick your poison

Big man Trey Kaufman-Renn was only Boiler who played throughout the scrimmage who went 3-0. He displayed the complement of his still-expanding offensive skills.

From a scoring standpoint, that included nifty low-post footwork and a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock. He also showed some prowess off of short pick-and-roll action, including dishing out to Myles Colvin for a late 3.

That can put teams in a tough spot when deciding what to do between following Kaufman-Renn or helping on to Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith.

“We’ve been doing that for about a month now, and I’m super comfortable especially making that pass,” Kaufman-Renn said. “I think that’s a really tough play to defend. Obviously if the corner man doesn’t help, I have my floater, I have my dunk, I have my layup. If he does it’s going to be an open 3 to a 40% 3-point shooter.”

More than score

No one besides Cox shot especially well even on the familiar home rims. Myles Colvin finished 4 of 13 from the field, including 2 of 7 from 3-point range.

As the day went on, though, he made more contributions away from his shot. He scored off of rebounds in two sequences during the second period.

Purdue cannot ask the low post alone to absorb all of the rebounding lost to Zach Edey’s departure. The rebounding of players such as Colvin, Fletcher Loyer and Camden Heide on the wing will be critical.

In a still-fluid scramble for minutes, it also helps dictate who will get on the floor an stay there.

“The high percentage shots off of offensive rebounds − I think that’s a really big thing for us, and especially for me,” Colvin said. “I’ve noticed that when I get offensive rebounds it gets me going on the offensive end.”

Youth movement

Freshman forward Raleigh Burgess posted 13 points and seven rebounds and a pair of blocks. He hit both of his 3-point attempts and brought a consistent energy to the floor.

Painter increasingly believes in Burgess’ long-term outlook. He has a few weeks to decide what that means for this season. Painter has regretted some past decisions of not redshirting a freshman, only to see them play sparse minutes.

And yet, Burgess keeps demanding attention with his play in scrimmages.

“You’ve got to logically be able to look at it and say, does that make a lot of sense for us? Does that make a lot of sense for him?” Painter said. “Both of those questions are important.

“But you can see he’s a good player. His shooting’s improved. He’s got a good frame. He moves well, can pass the basketball. He’s a very functional player.”

Daniel Jacobsen also blocked a pair of shots − catching Harris from behind in transition on one. While he shares that 7-4 designation with Edey, fans will need to adjust their expectations on how he plays offensively. He took a couple of 3s and will not post up as frequently.