Five things we learned from Purdue’s win over Rider
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Here are five things we learned from Purdue’s 81-77 win over Rider.
1. Purdue can survive without A.J. Hammons.
The 7-foot center scored just one point in 12 minutes because of foul trouble. A few of the calls were shaky – one in particular was an incidental contact foul. But the first two were the kind of problem Hammons had at times last season — reaching on blocked shot attempts. He had seven blocks in his previous game, and he blocked the first shot he faced against Rider. But he played just three minutes in the first half. Rider, a much smaller team, outrebounded Purdue in the first half, in part, because Hammons was on the bench. It’s early in the season, but he’s going to need to be more disciplined if he’s going to have a special season. I doubt the Boilermakers can get away with this against the Michigan States and Ohio States of the world.
2. Sterling Carter is pretty good.
He’s been one of the quieter additions to the team, but the senior guard was a big-time contributor, scoring 13 points in 20 minutes and getting four steals. The transfer from Seattle University made big plays throughout the game and should be an important part of the bench on both ends of the floor.
3. Ronnie Johnson has reined himself in.
Johnson, once known for his somewhat reckless drives and questionable shot selection, has made 17 of 28 shots from the field this season. He’s figured out how to let the game come to him. Purdue coach Matt Painter said his point guard doesn’t have to do as much this season, but the irony is that he’s actually doing more by doing less. He averaged 10.3 points per game last season on about 10 shots per game; this season, he’s averaging 15 points on 9.3 shots per contest.
4. Bryson Scott is tough.
The freshman guard doesn’t mind going in among the trees and imposing his will. Though just 6-foot-1, he’s a muscular 201 pounds, and he uses it to blast through traffic. He has a nose for the basket, too. At some point, it won’t go well for him. But for now, he has the right attitude and the willingness to learn. Painter keeps calling him a winner, which always is a good sign. Scott scored 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting in his best game of this young season.
5. Purdue needs to figure out how to deal with the new defensive rules.
This offseason, the NCAA chose to crack down on hand-checking and further clarify the block/charge call, hoping to make it more of an offensive game. It’s turned out to be a more offensive game, alright, with a different pronunciation. Purdue and Rider combined for 54 fouls on Sunday, and Purdue’s struggle to deal with the new rules kept Rider in the game. The Boilermakers were outscored 24-16 from the free-throw line. Purdue coach Matt Painter said he disagreed with many of the calls, but somehow, his team will need to adjust.
