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14 ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 f PROJECTED LINEUP STARTERS C A.J. Hammons: The third-year starting center's importance for Purdue can't be overstated, as he's the fo- cal point for everything it will do this season. On offense, he's the go-to player; on defense, he's the most influential player and the prime reason Matt Painter is turning to zone in some capacity this season, to try to help him stay out of foul trouble. He's too important to Purdue to be stuck on the bench. F/G Rapheal Davis: Hard to tell where Davis fits best from a positional standpoint, but it's something of a moot point. Purdue needs his experience, leadership and spirit on the floor as much as anyone else. Coaches hope he can scratch out double-digit scoring most nights, but leadership might be his most-needed contribution on this young team. F Vince Edwards: The freshman has a leg up at Pur- due's "power forward" position (i.e. the 4) because of his skill set. He's big enough and post-oriented enough to play on the interior some and rebound, but his game is defined by his ability to shoot, handle the ball and pass. Purdue will put him in positions to create mismatches as often as it can. G Kendall Stephens: Perhaps no returnee on this team stands to make more of a jump from one season to the next than Stephens, who battled injury through his freshman season and now had the luxury of a full, healthy offseason to improve. Even after battling injuries, the dead-eye shooter was good enough from Day 1 to earn a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team. He's capable of much more. G Bryson Scott: The sophomore says he learned hard lessons as an over-eager freshman and now we'll see how well he can apply them as he may get right of first refusal at a wide-open position. As a person, he's not going to change; it's just a matter of channeling his frenetic energy in more productive directions and showing poise. As a player, Purdue wants him to adapt into a facilitator's role. Scott can make the team better with his defense above all else. He's quick, athletic, strong and tenacious enough to be that guy. BENCH F Basil Smotherman: As a freshman, Smotherman had his moments, especially when he was playing with great energy, attacking the offensive glass, running the floor and making the most of his high-level athleticism. He'll contribute offensively, but Purdue needs its best ath- lete is to rebound, hustle and defend. G Jon Octeus: The senior arrived on campus in Oc- tober, already one of the Boilermakers' most accomplished players and a potential game-changer for their backcourt. But again, he arrived in October. The learning and acclima- tion curves will inevitably be steep, but at worst, he gives the Boilermakers an experienced hand at point guard, length, athleticism and versatility in the backcourt and a potential defensive menace. C Isaac Haas: Purdue's going to need the gigantic fresh- man to contribute in some form this season, at least as Ham- mons' backup, maybe even as a player the Boilermakers can play alongside him in a twin-tower lineup every so often. He's a physical presence unlike virtually anything else in college basketball; more athletic than you'd think; and his heart's most certainly in the right place. G Dakota Mathias: The versatile freshman is one of Purdue's two best shooters, Stephens being the other, and its best passer, per Painter. He's smart, savvy and cunning, a basketball workaholic tailor-made for the culture the pro- gram's seeking to restore. A bout with mono in the summer was a setback, though, as were a pair of ankle sprains suf- fered early in preseason practice. Because of it all, he might be a little behind his classmates from a conditioning stand- point. But his mind is probably his greatest asset. G P.J. Thompson: Thompson's basketball IQ, effort, toughness, natural leadership abilities and charisma are things the Boilermakers have lacked in recent years at the most leadership-driven position on the floor. Thomp- son isn't going to overwhelm anyone physically, but he's wired for reliability and sound decision-making. And he can make open shots. F Jacquil Taylor: Coaches liked what they saw from the athletic and long forward this summer, a player who brings elements Purdue doesn't otherwise have in its frontcourt. But where does he fit? Edwards, Smotherman and maybe Davis will log minutes at the 4, where Purdue wants offensive skills, and Hammons and Haas should have the 5 nailed down. A redshirt wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but if he can help this season, he's playing. F Neal Beshears: Something Purdue will look to get, more than anything, from Beshears this season is leader- ship and maturity. He's 23 and the team's only returning senior from last season. It's not in his personality to be a particularly overt leader, but a consistent presence would be welcomed. G Stephen Toyra: Prediction: Toyra's going to play at some point this season. Painter talks often about just needing players who understand roles and make "simple" plays. G Jon McKeeman: Competitive and intelligent, the walk-on brings a sharp mind and work ethic. G Anfernee Brown: The enthusiastic walk-on is a practice player. — Brian Neubert