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60 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 5 f turnovers or any other of Purdue's ills this past season — is of paramount importance, maybe the single most important key to the Boilermakers moving back toward a more recognizable form of basketball. With that need in mind, Scott will be closely scrutinized, a challenge he'll surely welcome, but a challenge nonetheless. "(I just want to be) a smarter basketball player, a guy who understands better when to pick his spots, more of a point guard-savvy person," Scott said. "I'm looking for- ward to that challenge and showing I can do it." Fellow sophomore Basil Smotherman certainly had his moments as a freshman, starting portions of the season and playing key minutes throughout. His athleticism showed up, especially on the offensive glass, when high energy did, and at the end of the sea- son, he was taking, and making, rhythm jump shots with confidence. Stephens, Scott and Smotherman learned as they went last season. This summer's crop of freshman arrivals — guards Dakota Mathias and Thompson; forward Vince Edwards; and big men Isaac Haas and JacQuil Taylor — will be in the exact same position, most of them almost certain to be needed to play substantial roles. With Hammons back, Haas won't be needed to start from Day 1 at center, but Purdue does need another post presence now that Jay Simpson's career is over as re- sult of a heart condition discovered in March. Simpson would have been a third-year sophomore. Like Travis Carroll did, Haas said he'll relish the role of pushing Hammons in practice. The difference for Hammons: Haas is 7-foot-2, 275 pounds. "I'll get to try to push him harder and harder," Haas said, "'cause if he lets up even one iota, I'm going to take it. So either he's going to get better, or I'm going in." Mathias' shooting and, maybe more so, passing, as Painter says, should be valuable commodities for a team that needs more of both, not to mention the seriousness with which he takes, and prepares for, the game. Edwards will play the 4 position in Purdue's front- court, with his guard-like skills, Painter hopes, one day creating favorable matchups on the offensive end, while Tom Campbell With the incoming freshman class loaded with intangibles and returnees who seem willing to work, Matt Painter could have a group in 2014-15 more-suited to what is typical for the Boilermakers.