Busting Brackets
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Purdue Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Boilermakers

By Tristan Freeman

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 09: A general view of the Iowa Hawkeyes playing offense in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 09: A general view of the Iowa Hawkeyes playing offense in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – MARCH 6: Purdue Boilermakers fans react during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Mackey Arena on March 6, 2013 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Michigan defeated Purdue 80-75. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – MARCH 6: Purdue Boilermakers fans react during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Mackey Arena on March 6, 2013 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Michigan defeated Purdue 80-75. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Key Reserves

C – FR Emmanuel Dowuona

A 6’10 big man with a prototypical post game, Dowuona has shown to be a high-level rebounder and defender while still needing to work on his offense. He’s a more athletic version of Haarms, albeit much less polished. He’ll be the primary backup big man for Purdue, giving him plenty of chances to have an impact.

F – FR Trevion Williams

Possibly the best incoming freshmen on the roster, Williams is a 6’8 forward with a ready-made offensive game. He can score both inside and out while dominating the boards (averaged 20 per game his last year in high school). His versatility allows him to possibly play both positions on the frontcourt, making him a key piece for the Boilermakers.

Related Story. Breaking down Purdue's 2018 recruiting class. light

SG – FR Eric Hunter

A lethal scorer from long distance, Hunter could be the sparkplug Purdue needs off the bench this season. The 6’3 guard averaged nearly 28 ppg his senior year in high school on 45% shooting from three-point range. Pairing him up with Edwards in the backcourt would be a nightmare situation for opposing defenses. If Eastern struggles as the lead ball handler, it’s possible that Hunter starts some games while Edwards becomes the lead guard.

SF – Aaron Wheeler

The 6’9 wing redshirted last season due to the overall depth but will be Cline’s primary backup at the three-spot. The raw athleticism has never been questioned for the former three-star recruit but he’ll have to show a good shooting stroke to ward off minutes from the senior. With a seven-foot wingspan, Wheeler projects to be an elite defender against small wings.

SG – FR Sasha Stefanovic

Another player who redshirted last season, Stefanovic is an outstanding shooter but needed the year off to improve on other areas of his game. With a season already with the program, he’ll have an early leg up on Hunter when it comes to being the first guard off the bench.

The issue that has to be on Matt Painter’s mind is that his bench is filled with players who haven’t played D-1 basketball. And with Edwards as the only starter whose logged big-time minutes in Big Ten play, one of two things will have to happen for Purdue to succeed. One, the starters collectively play well enough for 30+ minutes each to bring the freshmen along slowly. And the other is simply that the freshmen are capable of making an impact off the bench in November.

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