Purdue Basketball Press Conference: 3 Takeaways

Delphi Bracketology participated in a Zoom Virtual Press Conference with Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter, junior forward Trevion Williams, and redshirt freshman Mason Gillis. Here are three takeaways from the press conference:

1. Freshman guard Jaden Ivey has stepped up his play in recent practices. “Today was his best day of practice,” Coach Painter said. Ivey had to play more point guard after Eric Hunter, Jr. left practice with an apparent knee injury, and he seemed to thrive in that role. Painter is really impressed with how well Ivey shoots the ball on the run and his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. 
2. Freshman center Zach Edey, who many expected to be a bit of a project this season, may be ready to play meaningful minutes sooner rather than later. “I wouldn’t call him (Edey) our backup by any stretch of the imagination,” Coach Painter said. “He’s led us in rebounding in competitive drills, he went for 21 (points) and 10 (rebounds) in our first scrimmage, and had 17 (points) in today’s scrimmage.” The coaches even experimented with Edey and Williams playing in the same line up during one segment of today’s scrimmage, a big line up that Painter was hesitant to use last year with Williams and the now departed Matt Haarms.
3. The Boilermakers are a little short handed right now. Point guard Eric Hunter, Jr. left practice with an apparent knee injury. It isn’t expected to be serious, but he will get an MRI. Freshman guard Ethan Morton has been sidelined the last couple of weeks with mono and Painter doesn’t expect him back until next week. Center Emmanuel Dowuona has yet to practice this season as he is battling breathing problems, and there is no time table for his return.