Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing each team’s overall offense for 2020-21 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 08: Eric Hunter Jr. #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 08: Eric Hunter Jr. #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Purdue Boilermakers

2019-20: 66.3 ppg in Big Ten play

Despite Erc Hunter Jr starting 30 games at point guard while averaging 10.6 points in over 31 minutes per game, Nojel Eastern was the one who carried the ball across halfcourt to set up the offense after a made basket. Even though Purdue was tied for the least amount of points against in the Big Ten, Eastern still initiated the offense a lot.

With Eastern transferring to Howard, Hunter Jr. will have to run the offense as a point guard, along with his back-up freshman Ethan Martin. Hunter Jr. excels at pushing the ball after the outlet and getting to the rim on the primary fast break, as well as in transition after he forces a turnover. His 35 percent from beyond the arc was effective in spacing their offense.

Coach Matt Painter had a lot of movement in his offense last season, with Trevion Williams (11.5 ppg) and Evan Boudreaux (5.4 ppg) being important pieces. Due to Boudreaux not returning, 6’9 Aaron Wheeler (3.6 ppg) will be joining 6’9 Williams in the double post offense. Painter utilized a lot of ‘big’ on ‘small’ screens in order to create a mismatch off the switch, in the double post, Boudreaux back screened for Hunter Jr then he would screen across for Williams, as Hunter Jr. would pop out.

Related Story. Purdue 2020-21 depth chart. light

Williams would be the primary option in the paint in order to draw the double team, with Sasha Stefanovic (9.1 ppg) spotting up in the corner. If freshman redshirt Mason Gillis cannot handle primary on-ball duties and he is forced to set screens, his man switching on Williams does not leave the defense as vulnerable.

Williams will be even more important to the Boilermakers’ offense as he demands a double team in the paint, if not, he will put a shoulder into the defender’s chest for a baby hook and the basket. The loss of Matt Haarms (8.6 ppg) might hurt the point total, but not the offense per se. Haarms added two offensive rebounds to help Purdue be atop that category.

Despite his 7’3 stature, freshman Zach Edey will use the next couple of years as a backup center to develop into a starter and surpass Haarms in terms of offense. Other freshmen will be featured off the bench as streaky shooter Jaden Ivey, who is listed as 6’4 on the Purdue website could see time at shooting guard and small forward.

Redshirt freshman Brandon Newman and true freshman Ethan Martin will be able to share time at the two-spot, with Martin spending time at the point as well, giving Coach Painter options as he constructs the Purdue depth chart.

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