f r o m
e d i t o r
b r i a n
n e u b e r t
Identity Crisis
S
o when you think of Purdue basketball, what
do you think?
Defense. Effort. Intelligent basketball.
Right?
So when you watch Purdue basketball, what do
you see?
Any of those things to any sort of notable level?
Not for a couple seasons now, at least, as the
Boilermakers' long-standing identity — the one Gene
Keady helped build and Matt Painter helped restore —
has gone AWOL, for whatever the reason.
Last season, and thus far this one, one of the Big Ten's
typically most feared defensive teams has been one of its
most compliant, all too generous when it comes to easy
layups, hardly contested drives to the basket, cheap fouls
and wide-open three-pointers.
You watch Purdue basketball and expect to see physical
and mental toughness, no?
Um …
The Boilermakers' inconsistency and penchant for
coming apart when poise and composure are needed
most is the antithesis for what they're supposed to be,
this group's collective personality being far too
excitable, far too flappable to lend itself well to
such moments.
Painter has a very different team, but also one
of his most talented at Purdue.
Maybe it'll come, but to this point, it's been a
frustrating start for a Boilermaker team that's
significantly more talented than last season but
significantly better in record only.
Its identity remains MIA and Purdue's going to have to
get it back to win the way it aims to.
Painter hasn't changed. He's the same coach that's
won big at Purdue before coaching the way he's won before. It's just different guys and different personalities
being coached.
Who's to blame in these situations?
Do you blame the teacher when your kid gets bad
grades?
Things change in college sports. Players come and go.
But identities endure.
Or at least they're supposed to.
Like they have at Michigan State, where football and
This winter at a computer
or tablet near you!
next show jan. 10!
Special guests each show, analysis
from staff of Gold and Black
Gold and Black LIVE
featuring the staff of GoldandBlack.com
Interactive live video-stream sports talk show — ask questions,
chat with other fans! Show will stream live on WLFI.com on selected Fridays during football
and basketball season. For complete schedule, visit the college page on WLFI.com.
Trent Johnson, Agent
14
IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3
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