Purdue Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Boilermakers

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Eric Hunter Jr. #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after a call in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Assembly Hall on February 08, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Thompson #11 of the Purdue Boilermakers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Key Reserves

Guard – Isaiah Thompson (5.6 Pts, 1.1 Reb, 0.7 Ast), Sophomore

Thompson’s contributions flew under the radar a bit last season, but he was actually one of the best shooting freshmen in the Big Ten. His 36 3-point makes were the third-most in the conference by a frosh and he is just another piece to a lethal outside shooting backcourt that Purdue brings to the table in 2020-21.

Guard – Jaden Ivey, Freshman

Painter likes to redshirt freshmen, so it’s possible that Ivy gets a redshirt given how deep the frontcourt is. That doesn’t mean there is not a lot to like about Ivey, though, as the top-100 recruit out of Indiana is best known as a 40-percent plus 3-point shooter and chose the Boilermakers over every other school in his home state.

Forward – Mason Gillis, Redshirt Freshman

The redshirt is a go-to move for Painter, but mainly he does it because he thinks you’re a good player in a crowded rotation whose eligibility he wants to preserve. That was the case for Gillis and with the departure of Haarms and Boudreaux, there is going to be an important place in the lineup for him next season. He fits the Purdue culture, known for his toughness and ability to bruise in the paint, but also has an outside shot. I see him as the primary backup for Wheeler.

Forward – Ethan Morton, Freshman

Morton is a little similar to Gillis, so we will see how Painter deploys them off of his bench, but the top 100-recruit is a high IQ type player, and as a freshman that can get you minutes. The state of Pennsylvania’s Mr. Basketball is best known as a gifted passer which could get him time as the offensive initiator.

Center – Emmanuel Dowuona (1.3 Pts, 0.9 Reb, 0.1 Ast)

Dowuona’s 6’10-230 lb frame will get him spot minutes when Williams needs a rest and Purdue needs to go big, but he’s got a lot of work to do on his offensive game before Painter trusts him to play in key moments.

Other Potential Key Reserves

Center- Zach Edey, Freshman

Guard Jared Wulbrun- (0.3 Pts, 0.0 Reb, 0.2 Ast), Sophomore

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