Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/203451
Coach has really stressed to me that we can't come out and do things 85 percent of the time, because it gives the younger guys reason to be like, 'Terone or Travis do it (that way), so we should be able to.'" Purdue's lone returning seniors could be joined as captains by the Boilermakers' new seniors, Painter said. "We could add a couple," Painter said. "I really like Sterling Carter and Errick Peck and what they bring us. They have some poise to them and understanding of the big picture. … I could see us adding those guys to the fray. I just didn't want to name them captains when they'd been on campus for two months. I wanted them to get acclimated to the place and their teammates and coaches. But those two have been great. "But it's something that's earned. Leadership is an action. Talking about it doesn't get you anything." A NEW MAN Though Simpson technically played in 10 games last season before opting to redshirt, Purdue fans saw a different player in his 2013-14 debut. Simpson worked to lose more than 30 pounds since he arrived on campus last year, coming in then at 283. The transformation came, as it often does, by eating better and working out more, Simpson said. He started to take his health and conditioning "seriously." It should pay dividends MICHIGAN STATE PRESEASON for the Boilermakers. FAVORITE In the exhibition vicTo no one's surprise, tory over Indianapolis, Michigan State — ranked Simpson played 20 minNo. 2 in the preseason utes, scored 10 points USA Today Coaches poll on 3-of-10 shooting, had — was tabbed by media five rebounds, two asvote as the team to beat sists and a block. in the Big Ten, as was an"Last year, this nounced at the conferwouldn't of happened," ence's media day in ChiSimpson said. "Changing cago Thursday. my body, it really helped From last season's me out mentally, too, 27-9 team, the Spartans because I got the conreturn first-team All-Big fidence to play to this Ten candidates Adreian year. Last year, I didn't rePayne and Gary Harris, ally have the confidence Tom Campbell each of whom passed on because I couldn't stay in the game more than two It came as little surprise when Tom Izzo's Spartans were tabbed as the No. 1 team in the Big Ten in the chances in the spring to preseason, considering the talent returning from last year's 27-9 squad. enter the NBA draft. minutes. able to shoot a higher percentage in Michigan and Ohio "I'm a new person. I feel a lot better." close. He had some nice moves, the State finished 2-3 in the preseason poll. Simpson, a big man who can play on the perimeter, tried to showcase ball just didn't go down. He's got to be The Big Ten only reveals the top three. Harris was named the Big Ten's Presome of his expansive offensive game more productive when we get him the ball. But he shows you — he can knock season Player-of-the-Year and joined Wednesday, venturing out to take three three-pointers, bouncing one in. He down a three, hit a turnaround. Then on the Preseason All-Big Ten team by also posted up on a couple occasions, again, we miss three jump hooks at 6 teammate Payne, Michigan's Mitch getting a nice turnaround jumper and feet. He's come a long way, but we need McGary and Glenn Robinson III, Ohio an and-one by powering through a de- him to be consistent in that area and State point guard Aaron Craft and Penn shoot a better percentage. State's Tim Frazier. Six players were chofender. "He's got a long way to go. He's got sen instead of the typical five because It was a mix of good and more-toto learn to be able to be productive the media vote resulted in a tie. j improve upon in his coach's eyes. "Jay's got to learn to be produc- when he's fatigued, especially on the tive," Painter said. "From a big guy's defensive end. But there's no doubt he's standpoint, you can't score 10 points made some real progress." and shoot 10 times. You've got to be GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 8 • 35