The freshman guards have become one of the Boilermakers' driving forces in an almost perfect three months.
Purdue’s Zach Edey, David Jenkins Jr. and Braden Smith discuss Saturday’s loss at Assembly Hall.For Fletcher Loyer, the adjustment period came during the summer. The freshman shooting guard arrived at Purdue after two seasons at Homestead High School. His first taste of college basketball included all the usual challenges: bigger players, a faster pace, the sharp reality your opponents are now adults after a lifetime of sharing the floor with kids.
Purdue coach Matt Painter observed all of it. Loyer and Smith both had obvious skill sets. Loyer was a 6-4 pure shooter and top-100 recruit in the country. Smith was months removed fromBecause of that, little of what they did was unexpected in a vacuum. But Painter noticed something else in practice as the 2022-23 iteration of the Boilermakers took shape: the lineups with the two freshmen in the backcourt always seemed to win.
Their games are different. They score in different ways and contribute in different areas. They often have contrasting dispositions on the floor, but they share a passion and hunger, both driven by a deep-seeded competitive desire. Loyer saw the game as an opportunity. To play against another one of the top players in the state and a future teammate was motivating, but he didn’t outwardly treat it any differently. He took his usual 300 extra shots after practice.
Down by 10 points with six minutes remaining, Sumpter relented and put Smith on Loyer. Westfield came back to win 64-53 before its season came to an end later that night against Kokomo. Smith finished with 13 points. Loyer had 27.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Purdue basketball players stay united when things go awryAfter a late turnover from Braden Smith, Zach Edey went to bat for his teammate.
Read more »
LIVE: No. 4 IU women's basketball vs. Purdue score updates, highlightsThe Hoosiers are trying to remain atop the Big Ten standings while the Boilermakers want to make a statement for an NCAA tournament bid.
Read more »
IU women's basketball rides hot second half to beat PurduePurdue hangs with the Hoosiers in the first half, but Chloe Moore-McNeil keeps IU afloat before a dominant third quarter.
Read more »
Even after loss, Purdue remains No. 1 ahead of Houston in USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll.BoilerBall fends off UHCougarMBK for No. 1 spot in the usatodaysports men’s college basketball coaches poll. ArizonaMBB surges into top five, MarquetteMBB elevates into top 10 and PackMensBball, Aztec_MBB and DukeMBB join the rankings.
Read more »