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m e n ' s b a s k e t b a l l Gold and Black's Men's Hoops Lineup The Starters Ronnie Johnson 3 G • 6-0 • So. The sophomore point guard had been playing relatively well leading into the Butler game, but against the Bulldogs and Maryland-Eastern Shore, he made only 2-of-16 shots and did little in the way in providing the Boilermakers the sort of poise and leadership they need from his position. He may have an issue with his thumb, but decision-making can be an issue for a player whose play can so often be directly linked to whether Purdue is successful or not. He's experienced now; he has to be more consistent. Terone Johnson 0 G • 6-2 • Sr. Purdue's leading scorer and most prominent senior has become something of a lightning rod for criticism in the court of public opinion, as his play has been a mixed bag. He produces, but he also takes the occasional over-aggressive shot and hasn't been a particularly effective defender for a player who was to be counted on to be his team's perimeter stopper. He'd committed just 11 turnovers through the season's first 10 games, but his six against the Bulldogs certainly were part of Purdue's downfall. Jay Simpson 23 C • 6-10 • R-Fr. After starting the year pretty well for this being his first full season, the redshirt freshman's hit somewhat of a wall, as he's not been terribly productive of late aside perhaps from his work on the offensive boards. He's really struggled to finish around the basket, blowing numerous pointblank looks, and he's been loose with ball around the rim, an issue for both Purdue's primary centers. The Boilermakers need their center to be reliable since A.J. Hammons can't be counted on to stay out of foul trouble. Basil Smotherman 5 F• 6-5 • Fr. The freshman's athleticism and energy have been a revelation for Purdue, particularly in transition offense and on the offensive boards, where the jumping jack has been good for an athletic put-back about once a game. He's helped the Boilermakers on offense, Matt Painter believes, simply by passing instead of looking for shots. The Reserves Kendall Stephens 21 G • 6-6 • Fr. The rookie gunner has made an instant impact with his elite-level shooting prowess, but is now walking that fine line between being as aggressive as Purdue needs him to be, but not so aggressive he takes the sort of quick, contested shots that have undermined Purdue to date at times. But it's Stephens' shooting that has him on the floor despite limitations in other areas, so Purdue needs to get him shots. What will be interesting to see is how he counters when Big Ten defenses try to rough him up physically, which they're sure to do. Sterling Carter 1 A.J. Hammons 20 Rapheal Davis 35 G • 6-0 • Sr. C • 7-0 • So. G • 6-5 • So. Carter's an unabashed The single biggest issue Coming off the bench this gunner from deep, which with Purdue's talented censeason, Davis has simply is just fine now that he's ter is simply being on the not been very productive. making shots, as he was floor. Foul trouble is ruinHe's shooting 37 percent 7-of-13 for a four-game ing his season, quite frank— down 11 percent from stretch in December. Like with Stephens, last season's rate — and continues ly, as the Boilermakers have had their though, there's aggressive and there's most influential piece on the court fewer to take stand-alone jumpers when left too aggressive and the eager fifth-year alone to do so. Those in the program love than 20 minutes per game. Hammons senior must understand the difference. Davis' passion and admire the work he needs to be better prepared on defense; He adds value, though, in that he's a puts in, but the sophomore clearly has yet his teammates could help by containing willing defender on the ball. With Purdue to find his niche on this team this year. the dribble better. Purdue wants to get doing a poor job containing the dribble, him the ball on offense, but he's turned it maybe that earns him more minutes over too much when he's gotten it. When moving forward, particularly now that Purdue has played smaller teams, it has his terrible early-season shooting slump been able to dominate that matchup like seems to be behind him. it probably should. Bryson Scott 12 Errick Peck 32 G • 6-1 • Fr. F • 6-6 • Sr. Scott has put up numbers his Peck's really struggled to put freshman season, so many the ball in the basket lately, Neal Beshears Anfernee of them coming in late-game maybe at least part of the 30 Brown 24 scramble modes in contests reason Purdue's trended more F • 6-7 • Jr. G • 6-1 • Fr. Purdue went on to lose. When toward using Smotherman at he sets his sights on making things happen the 4 more often. But Matt Painter can go in such situations, he really gets things with Peck more often when he needs his done. In all other situations, Purdue needs superior strength. The two forwards will him to keep a calm head about him, defend each have roles this season, but right now Jon Stephen Toyra and pick his spots on offense. After the Old Smotherman is a bit more of a factor. But McKeeman 2 11 Spice Classic, he showed some maturity in that could just as soon flip. G • 6-1 • So. G • 6-3 • So. altering the way he played somewhat, passing up shots he'd otherwise have taken in crunch time against Eastern Michigan and — Brian Neubert setting up others. Travis Carroll 50 C • 6-9 • Sr. The senior has been an as-needed player to this point, but with Purdue's other centers turning the ball over, missing layups and getting in foul trouble and its offense lacking flow sometimes, maybe there's more of a role for Carroll forthcoming. We'll see. When he's been in games, he's gotten his share of offensive boards and made some jumpers, but there are obvious limitations there that inevitably take their toll, as well. The Deep Bench f IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3 67