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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 2 49 VOLUME 26, ISSUE 2 49 Johnny Hill 1 6-3 • G • Sr. (5) Breakdown: A charismatic and energetic player whose offensive strength lies in his ability to get to the basket using quickness atyp- ical for a player his height, along with outstanding length. He seems to relish the defensive role Purdue will ask him to play, also. Projected Role: Hill was competing in the preseason to be the starting point guard. Whether he is or not, he'll be asked to play an important role in solidifying Purdue's biggest positional question. Jon McKeeman 2 6-1 • G • Sr. Breakdown: You're not going to find a harder-work- ing walk-on, or any player for that matter, than the Boilermaker senior, and Pur- due probably couldn't ask for a more intelligent, cerebral pres- ence on its roster. He'll spend the year getting healthy. Projected Role: McKeeman will redshirt this season after undergoing surgery to repair an abdominal injury. Basil Smotherman 5 6-6 • F • Jr. Breakdown: The athletic upperclass- man can play either forward position and should be able to defend multiple spots. He shot the ball better than he ever has this summer, but Purdue needs him most to rebound, defend and play with energy. Projected Role: Smotherman might be caught in a logjam in Purdue's deep frontcourt and thus might redshirt. He seems like he wants to. Stephen Toyra 11 6-3 • G • Sr. Breakdown: The veteran walk-on is a valuable influence in Purdue's lock- er room, a great student and a player who's con- tributed on game days before in his career. Projected Role: Barring unforeseen circumstances, Toyra's contributions will come more on the practice floor than the playing floor. Ryan Cline 14 6-5 • G • Fr. Breakdown: Matt Painter thinks Cline might be the finest shooter he's ever recruited, which says something. But Purdue believes Cline can be even more than a shooter. Boiler- maker coaches are very high on him. Projected Role: Cline is a redshirt candidate. But for him to actually redshirt, Purdue would have to be convinced that it's well set at shooting guard with its returning players. We'll see. Kendall Stephens 21 6-7 • G • Jr. Breakdown: It's been Stephens' body that's held him back as much as anything, whether it be injuries or the lack of strength he's played through his entire career. Now, he's stronger, bigger and faster and those around the program still feel like he can be outstanding. It is hoped he can be a weap- on as a post-entry option, because of his shooting acumen and length above all else. Shot selection remains an emphasis. Projected Role: Stephens and Dakota Mathias are vying for the No. 1 slot at the 2, but regardless of who starts, Purdue has two good options, provided both are healthy. They'll both play extensively. Grant Weatherford 22 6-2 • G • Fr. Breakdown: Purdue recruited the freshman to be a defensive spark at either backcourt spot and to simply provide energy. There are some offensive limitations, but Weatherford is a strong, physical and athletic guard who is reputed to play with an edge. Projected Role: Where he fits in this season remains to be seen. The freshman could find a modest role as a defensive spark if he turns out to be reliable with assignments, but Purdue likely won't need all that much from him right away. Jacquil Taylor 23 6-10 • F • R-Fr. Breakdown: First things first, Taylor has to get healthy. He was granted an eligibility waiver after last season because of the limitations the aftermath of a high school ankle injury put on him. Once healthy, Taylor will have to get stronger, but he's tall and athletic and benefiting from practicing against some very good big men. Projected Role: Taylor has time on his side. He won't be needed to play significant min- utes any time soon. Grady Eifert 24 6-6 • F • Fr. Breakdown: Purdue likes what the freshman walk-on and Boilermaker leg- acy has brought to the practice floor early in his career. He seems like a keeper. Projected Role: Eifert will be a practice player as much as anything during his first season in the program. Dakota Mathias 31 6-4 • G • So. Breakdown: Mathias was excellent during sum- mer workouts, teammates said, but he still has to remain healthy, after constant battles with illness still haven't completely subsided. That's been frustrating for a player who can be a potent shooter and is already the Boil- ermakers' best passer. Projected Role: Mathias is competing with Stephens to be a starter, but the two could con- ceivably amount to co-starters if they're both healthy. They'll both play prominent roles. Isaac Haas 44 7-2 • C • So. Breakdown: The mas- sive center impacts the game every time he sets foot on the floor, just by standing there. To impact the scoreboard more, he'll want to shoot free throws better, no easy task for giants like himself. He's going to get fouled as much as anybody out there on a per-minute basis. He can really turn the screws on opponents by making them pay at the stripe. Projected Role: Haas is again Hammons' backup, mak- ing for one of the top center tandems in college basketball.