Purdue rights the ship in 83-54 win over Hofstra
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — One might think there was little for Purdue to gain in a non-conference game against a severely overmatched opponent.
Think again.
Matt Painter was at his best on Sunday, turning an 83-54 win over Hofstra into a message-sending exercise.
D.J. Byrd and Anthony Johnson did not start — replaced by Rapheal Davis and Dru Anthrop. Johnson specifically said it was a memo to the veteran players after their performance in a 70-65 loss to Bucknell.
This is why Painter is a good coach. He could have given the team a pass for the loss against Bucknell, a likely NCAA Tournament team loaded with veteran talent. He could have sat the freshmen to send a message.
But instead of benching the youngsters, he benched the vets. Byrd, a senior captain, played 20 minutes and scored five points. Anthony Johnson played 24 minutes and led the way with 14 points.
Reading between the lines, the message is this: Purdue has a lot of young players who need veterans to step up and show them how it’s done. If that part of the job isn’t being done sufficiently, you don’t start.
Now, Painter knew that Hofstra was overmatched and its three best players were ineligible, so he got away with delivering this message knowing full well the Pride had no chance.
Purdue played more inspired basketball defensively and outrebounded Hofstra 50-22. That’s the kind of dominance this team of athletic posts should demonstrate against overmatched teams.
But Villanova is next. That’s not the time to experiment with lineups. Though Villanova probably isn’t even as good as Bucknell, it’s a game the Boilermakers can’t afford to lose. Painter’s message got across on Sunday. We’ll see how it carries over to Thursday.
A few observations:
-Sandi Marcius is getting better. Marcius has a little more skill and toughness to go with his size this year. He scored 11 points against Hofstra and was the one non-freshman to retain his starting job after the opener. Marcius will be a key in the development of the younger players.
-Jay Simpson might be awesome. He’s 6-foot-9 and 268 pounds. He runs well, he has range, he’s athletic. Once he gets into shape and gets the Painter way down, he should be a game changer.
-A. J. Hammons’ toughest opponent is A.J. Hammons. If he gets into shape and becomes more aggressive and consistent, the sky is the limit. In one sequence, he loafed back downcourt and allowed Hofstra to get a transition basket, but on Purdue’s next possession, he threw down a vicious two-handed dunk. Guess which one Painter will be talking about. He showed great skill with a fadeaway after calling for the ball late in the game and has good touch around the basket. He needs to be the dominant guy that he appears to be on every play.
-Ronnie Johnson is a stud. He’s raw, but wow. He can drive, he can shoot, he’s a great passer. He reminds me of E’Twaun Moore with his unflinching self confidence, but he has yet to fully harness it. He grew from Friday to Sunday, dropping nine points, seven assists and six rebounds in just 23 minutes. He will be a joy to watch and will be one of Painter’s best players if he can slow down a little.
Here is a link to my Associated Press story on the Hofstra game: Purdue 83, Hofstra 54
Also: Bucknell knocks off Purdue in opener
