Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/895033
GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 54 ISAAC HAAS Senior • Center Breakdown: Purdue needs Haas' best season now, as there's no longer a Caleb Swanigan or A.J. Hammons to turn to otherwise. That means an absolute pre- mium on the 7-foot-2, 290-pounder's condi- tioning and ability to sidestep foul problems, but also his consistency and approach, mentally. Obviously, Haas has shown he can be one of the most productive and influential big men in college basketball and Purdue will feature him when he's on the floor, but this season more than ever, it needs everything to come together for him in all phases of the game — aggressiveness, decision-mak- ing, rebounding, defense, maturity, all of it. Prospectus: Purdue will lean heavily on Haas when he's on the floor and probably play a bit differently when he's not. But Haas will carry as many minutes as he can handle productively and, again, stands to be one of the most influential big men in the game if some things fall his way. VINCENT EDWARDS Senior • Forward (C) Breakdown: One of the most widely productive players of the modern era of Pur- due basketball, the 6-8, 225-pound forward looks like the odds-on favorite to be the Boilermakers' alpha presence on offense, if they're going to have one. It's imperative he carry him- self that way, as he did in March's NCAA Tournament, then again at the World University Games. His ability to score in different ways, from every level, and pass, lends itself well to such a role. With Swanigan gone, Edwards' usage figures to go through the roof and that should bring with it significant productivity. Purdue needs his best season as a defender and rebounder, too, particularly the latter. When Edwards has been at his best in his career, his rebounding has buoyed him. Prospectus: On a team with several proven, qual- ity players, Edwards stands a chance to be a standout if he plays with the sort of authority and aggressiveness he's shown at times in his career, but consistently since March 1 of last year. If he has the sort of season he's set up to, he should be in line for a first-team All-Big Ten-type season. DAKOTA MATHIAS Senior • Guard (C) Breakdown: One of the best two- way players in the Big Ten last season and one of the most multi-faceted, the 6-4, 200-pound guard should be an all-league- level performer in his final season. He's one of the conference's top three-point threats who'll score more off the bounce this season, as well as the conference's top returning perimeter defender and the best passer on a Purdue team that excelled in that area last season. Prospectus: Because of his value at both ends, most of it seen but some not always, you could make a case for him as the Boilermakers' most important player. His minutes should increase this season, and he played a lot last season. CARSEN EDWARDS Sophomore • Guard Breakdown: No Boilermaker stands to improve as much from last sea- son to this one as the 6-foot, 190-pound live wire of a scorer. He was productive in aver- aging double-figures as a freshman starter last season on a championship team, but after standing out this summer for USA Basketball, then starring at times at the World University Games, he might be one of the Big Ten's — if not college basketball's — breakout players. He looked the part this summer of an emerging dominant scorer, and Matt Painter seems in- tent to give him the freedom to explore his possibilities. The aggressiveness, speed and shot-making ability Ed- wards brings to the floor are transformative for this par- ticular Purdue roster. Prospectus: Edwards will move back into the Meet The Boilermakers — Brian Neubert