Purdue Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Boilermakers

Projected Starters

Matt Haarms

Haarms looked poised to make a big jump last year but got off to a slow start in a starting role. With the departure of Isaac Haas, it was widely thought that Haarms would step in a big the next great big man for the Boilermakers. That hasn’t happened yet but he has shown flashes of being very good. Haarms is tall and has a huge wingspan but he needs to get a little stronger down low. He can be pushed around at times, but if he can clean that up he should be a great player for Purdue this year.

Nojel Eastern

Eastern is the player that may take the biggest leap in the Big Ten this year. He showed flashes last year of being a star, but so many shots were taken by Carsen Edwards and Ryan Cline that it left Eastern on the outside looking in. But with those two gone, Eastern looks like he could be the go-to guy for the Boilermakers. At 6’6″ he has great size for a guard and he can get to the rim. He needs to improve his outside shot, but if he does that there is no doubt he could be a first-team Big Ten selection.

Aaron Wheeler

Wheeler is another wildcard for the Boilermakers. He looks like a star in the making with his big frame and nice shot. He averaged just 4.7 points per game last year, but with the opening of the offense, he could take advantage. He is just a sophomore so he has a lot of time to grow but this could his break out year. This could be Trevion Williams’s spot also, but Wheeler’s ability to stretch the court a bit gives him the nod.

Jahaad Proctor

Proctor is a transfer from High Point and could be in the starting lineup because of his scoring ability. It is still a question if that will translate over to the Big Ten but he averaged 19.4 points per game. If he can bring that scoring over to the Boilermakers he would make a great 1-2 guard combo with Eastern. He has decent size at 6’3″ 205 and can handle the ball well. He is a great passer and that could allow him to be a starter also. He is a major wildcard for the Boilermakers but if he can produce as he did at High Point, the Boilermakers could be very good.

Sasha Stefanovic

Stefanovic is our best guess at being a starter. It will probably be between him and Eric Hunter Jr, but we give him the pick due to his ability to score and his defensive tenacity. He will get at it on both sides of the court and that will key for the Boilermakers. He will need to prove that he can improve his scoring to probably stay in the starting five, but if he makes the leap this year he could be the glue guy on this team.