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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 31 shooting from the perimeter, because of the mobility trade-off that's come with the Boilermakers' unpar- alleled size on the interior. Physically, Taylor and/or Haarms would presumably stand to fare better cov- ering players like Michigan's Mo Wagner or Illinois' Michael Finke around the three-point arc. Purdue being smaller in general — Vincent Edwards moving full-time to the 4 with Swanigan departed, for one thing — could give the Boilermakers quicker, more mobile lineups in general, to its potential benefit defensively. Obviously, that comes with a trade-off. REBOUNDING IMPERATIVE For years now, rebounding has been Purdue's foun- dation, a constant and an advantage against just about everyone it faced. Now, it becomes a question, underscored by the fact that it cost the Boilermakers a gold medal at the World University Games, where Lithuania's 17 offensive re- bounds were the clear difference between winning and losing for Team USA. Obviously, losing college basketball's most promi- nent rebounder does not come with a quick fix, but Purdue does believe it can survive Swanigan's depar- ture on the glass. Haas averaged 12.5 rebounds per 40 minutes at the World University Games, while Vincent Edwards aver- aged 10.3 rebounds per 40 minutes. Taylor averaged a staggering 15.9 and though Haarms couldn't play in Taipei, he rebounded particu- larly well during preseason practices, even though the 7-3, 250-pound redshirt freshman isn't the strongest, most physical player at this stage of his career. Are those numbers reflective of reality? Not really, but they're a starting point, at least, for what Purdue hopes will be an adequate effort on the glass this sea- son. It does stand to reason to suggest Purdue will need the best seasons of Vincent Edwards' and Haas' ca- reers on the glass. Vincent Edwards has always been at his best in his career when he's been productive on the glass, play- ing his way out of a midseason dry spell last season through supreme effort on the offensive boards in par- ticular. Purdue probably doesn't rally from nearly 20 down in the first half to beat Notre Dame last December without Edwards' six offensive boards and the points that they led to, directly or indirectly. Haas averaged five rebounds per game last sea- son, maintaining that average in Big Ten play. Ex- trapolate that number over increased minutes this season and it's hoped the massive center will be one of the more productive rebounders in the Big Ten now. (Haas' rebounding value, though, has al- ways lied as well in the space he occupies and the opportunities that can create for others.) Purdue needed a collective effort on the glass even with Swanigan; now, even more so. That's part of the reason that junior walk-on Grady Ei- fert will open the season in Purdue's rotation. "He's been our best rebounder in practice and it's not close," Painter said mid-October. Known for his effort, Eifert was the Boilermakers' first true forward off the bench in World University Games play and averaged 11.5 minutes for the event, though that number swelled in garbage-time situa- tions. In that time, though, he rebounded at a rate of almost 14 per 40 minutes and grabbed a dozen offen- sive rebounds, fourth most on the team. Jamie Owens Ryan Cline always will be a factor as a shooter, but his defensive improvements were considerable last year.