Purdue Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Boilermakers

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 21: Purdue’s Haas (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Starting Lineup – Frontcourt

This frontcourt is loaded with seniors. Staring on the wing, Dakota Mathias is a dangerous 3-point shooter. Mathias has a quick trigger and release, making him very difficult to defend. If he is left open in the corner or not accounted for in transition, then – BANG – add three points for Purdue. On 4.5 attempts per game last season, Mathias shot a scorching 45.3% from deep. He led the Boilermakers in both 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage.

Mathias does much more than just shoot, though. A true wing player in the sense that he can do a bit of everything, Mathias led the team in assists last season at 3.8 per game and also contributed 3.9 rebounds per game. In addition, Mathias was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team for his efforts on that end of the floor.

Vince Edwards, Senior

Similar to Mathias, Vince Edwards is a do-it-all player for the Boilermakers. Last season, Edwards chipped in 12.6 points per game while making it rain from 3-point range. As a 3-point shooter, Edwards has been over 40% from deep in each of the past two seasons, connecting on 42.3% of his 111 attempts last season.

Edwards was also the team’s second-leading playmaker at 3.2 assists per game while snagging 4.9 rebounds per game. This season, the expectations for Edwards will remain much of the same. He will be a full-time starter (started 27 of 35 games last season) and will be a major part of the team on both ends of the floor.

Isaac Haas, Senior

Isaac Haas has spent the majority of his collegiate career as the overlooked big man in Purdue’s machine. First, it was the talented A.J. Hammons, who was one of the most imposing centers in the Big Ten during his time with the Boilermakers, who was played over Haas. Then, Caleb Swanigan emerged as a star and become a National Player of the Year contender last season. This year, though, Haas will be the man inside.

Last season, Haas started 15 of the team’s 35 games, averaging 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 19.5 minutes. This season, he will be expected to increase that production in more minutes. In addition, he will need to stay out of foul trouble and avoid turning the ball over (2.2 per game last season).

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