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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 10 • 39 BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com P urdue made its 2014-15 debut looking like a brand-new team in more ways than one in an 89-52 exhibition trouncing of California (Pa.), a Division II program, on Sunday. After the Vulcans banked in a three and scored off a pair of easy baskets at the rim to lead 7-2, Purdue broke loose and scored 33 of the game's next 35 points, led by its big men. A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas domi- nated around the basket — maximizing the favorable matchup down low the Boil- ermakers should enjoy against most oppo- nents this season — and those around them played their complementary roles well. Purdue totaled 22 assists — not that it's a fair comparison, but last season's per game average: 13.1 — and shooters Kendall Stephens and Dakota Mathias each buried a pair of threes on combined 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Purdue led by as many as 42 in the second half. Here are our takeaways from the game: S Already, this is a much better pass - ing team than last season's group and it's not close. Not only in ability, but willingness and savvy. Purdue's freshmen, specifically Math- ias, forward Vince Edwards and guard P.J. Thompson, are all very good, very eager passers, and newcomer Jon Octeus — Purdue's starting point guard to open the exhibition season — seems like a sound decision-maker. It showed in Purdue's ball movement against Cal-Pa. "Overall as a team we moved the ball and did some unselfish things," Coach Matt Painter said. "When it comes easy to you, it's tough to run offense because after a couple passes you have something pretty good, because they're so worried about the big guys in the post. We had such an advantage there, they shrunk their defense and left guys open. Then you're taking quicker shots." Purdue got the ball inside often, as is the mission statement for all who surround Ham - mons and to a lesser extent Haas this season and got the ball to them in ideal spots. Understand, though, the matchup was not an even one in any way, shape or form. S Purdue played with en- ergy and enthusiasm. This seems like a group that coexists well, commu- nicates well and enjoys playing togeth- er, with Hammons in particular seem- ing particularly comfortable and at ease around this set of teammates, particularly the freshmen. S Point guard is going to be interest- ing. After being on campus for only a mat- ter of weeks, Octeus earned the nod in the exhibition opener, with Bryson Scott and Thompson also logging significant playing time. All of them played well, one way or an- other. Octeus scored eight points and didn't turn the ball over in his 18 minutes. Scott looked to score but is finding more of a bal- ance with his point guard role, finishing with 10 points and four assists, with three steals and no turnovers. Thompson, who's also playing shooting guard, scored seven points and registered team-highs of five assists and four steals, but turned it over twice. All three give Purdue a little bit of a different look and there's some M E N ' S B A S K E T B A L L G O L D B O X E S P R O V I D E L I N K T O G A M E S T O R Y Tom Campbell Purdue's point guards, including Bryson Scott, understood the scheme better, getting the ball inside to the big men. A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST WEEK OF BASKETBALL