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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 27 might be the scariest of all for opponents given his abil- ity to make contested threes, and threes in bursts. He was far more efficient in Big Ten play, shooting 39.5 percent, a very positive indicator for what might be a reasonable expectation now. Purdue has reason to be confident shooting from dis- tance, but particularly following the World University Games. After practicing all summer with the wrong make and model of ball, then stepping back two feet in accordance with the international line, Purdue shot 43 percent in the event, after taking a few games to find its rhythm. Cline shot 57 percent. Vincent Edwards shot 54 and Mathias 44. Six Boilermakers who attempted a notable amount of threes in Taipei shot 37 percent or better. Purdue does have the makings of one of the more dangerous long-range shooting teams in college bas- ketball, and will look to milk it for all its worth with its style of play, likely to be more free-wheeling. PICK UP THE TEMPO Because Purdue was defined by its uncommon size in recent years, people seem to think the Boilermakers have played slow. They have obviously played through the post, but the numbers show that Purdue has not played slow, per se. The Big Ten's top scoring team in 2016-17 confer- ence games, Purdue averaged 80 points for the season, just under 78 in league play. Per KenPom.com, the Boilermakers' average posses- sion last season spanned 16.6 seconds, ranking it 90th in the country, putting it in the upper quartile in college basketball. But, relative to the field, Purdue barely forced any turnovers last season, generating less than a dozen per game and ranking 281st nationally in that category. That's a big number, and one that doesn't exactly jibe with stimulating offensive pace. Purdue would certainly welcome more takeaways this season, though the days of the Boilermakers building their defensive philosophy off such things have come and gone, at least in the short term. But this season, Purdue anticipates picking up its of- fensive pace even more with or without turnovers, with its personnel even better suited to do so, with Carsen Edwards even more empowered, Vincent Edwards play- Front-burner issues for Purdue as the season drew near. Depth: Purdue does have key positions — back- up point guard and backup center — where it's going to have to lean heavily on either inexperienced players or players who've struggled to stay healthy. The Boilermakers introduce five new players into the program this season, only one of which was a top-of-rotation player at the World University Games, that player being freshman Nojel Eastern, at point guard. (Note: Center Matt Haarms was ineligible to play.) Complacency: It's not a concern, per se, but something Purdue will be mindful of, coming off a championship season. There were instances last season where the Boiler- makers seemed to let their guard down at times and it cost them. Purdue has no concerns about leadership, but that leadership is centralized in a relatively mild-mannered senior class that's led as much through substance as anything. Coaches have pushed for overt, forceful leadership. Caleb Swanigan's intensity and mental toughness — constants last season — will be missed, as well. Decision-Making: Ball security has been a strength for Purdue in recent seasons, and again will come to the forefront. Isaac Haas' decision-making and passing stand to be particularly important, given the attention he'll draw. Swanigan's brilliant passing out of the post meant so much to Purdue's three-point shooting last season. It can't hope to replace it; but it won't want it to become a weakness, either. Defense and Rebounding: Purdue will score this season. The World University Games, though, showed the Boilermakers to be a far-from-fin- ished product in these other areas. — Brian Neubert BURNING QUESTIONS