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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 27, Digital 3

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Vincent Edwards 12 6-8 • F • Jr. The junior is a reserve in technicality only, because he's obviously a proven, critical player for Purdue. But he struggled for a series of games earlier in the season and Painter swapped Edwards for Edwards in the starting five. Related or not, Vincent Edwards has responded in a big way. He's been a terror of late on the offensive glass, a reflection of sheer effort and the upperclassman's back-to-basics approach to getting back on track. If the Notre Dame game was any reflection, he's there. He went for 20 and 10 and was probably the game's singular difference-maker, even with Swanigan being as good as he was. Basil Smotherman 5 6-6 • F • Jr. For the most part, Smotherman's given Purdue everything it needs from him thus far this season. He's provided energy, he's run the floor and he's played through his effort and defense and rebounding more than hunting offense. When open shots have found him, he's been reliable. But it's in the open floor and on the glass where Purdue needs him to provide sporadic, opportunistic offense. He's such an important player for Purdue, because of its lack of depth in the frontcourt. He's pretty much it. Ryan Cline 14 6-5 • G • So. Purdue only has eight healthy scholarship players right now, but seven of them are playing like starters and you can count Cline among them. After being suspended to start the season, Cline's looked like a much-improved player. He's shooting 59 percent from three and making tough basketball plays. Against Notre Dame, he made one of the game's biggest shots, grabbed the game's biggest rebound and made all the game's biggest free throws. He said after the suspension, as many athletes do under such circumstances, that the experience made him better and got him focused. Something has changed for the better with him. The Deep Bench No. Name Year Pos. Height 24 Grady Eifert So. F 6-6 2 Jon McKeeman Sr. (5) G 6-1 15 Tommy Luce Fr. G 5-10 Note: McKeeman and Eifert are on scholarship this season. Eifert McKeeman Luce Reserves On The Shelf Jacquil Taylor 23 6-10 • F/C • So. Taylor's snake-bitten career took another bad turn in preseason practice when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot and underwent surgery, sidelining him through January and into February, in all likelihood. He probably couldn't have been viewed quite yet as a known commodity as a player, but his loss leaves Purdue with no true post players to bring off the bench, aside from walk-on forward Grady Eifert, and does make you wonder if Taylor's luck will ever turn. He's in line to be a needed contributor next season, but you have to wonder if he can stay healthy. Spike Albrecht 55 6-0 • G • Sr. (5) The senior point guard injured his back against Georgia State and is out indefinitely. Might be long term, might not. It remains to be seen, but obviously is unfortunate for the player given his battle to overcome two hip surgeries. He came to Purdue just for another chance to play and hasn't gotten much of one to this point. GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 27, ISSUE 3 60

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