Head Coach Matt Painter along with Braden Smith, Will Berg, and Fletcher Loyer spoke with the media following their victory over the Norse.
Head Coach Matt Painter and players spoke to the media following their 72-50 victory over the Northern Kentucky Norse in the final tune up leading into a three game stretch that will find them playing Yale, Alabama, and Marquette. Check out what each had to say below:
Head Coach Matt Painter:
Matt Painter started his comments off with an update on freshman big man Daniel Jacobsen and said he was unsure but knew it was a lower leg injury. He will be seen for an xray and MRI to determine the extent of the injury. Losing Jacobsen obviously hurts because he is the best rim protector along with being a really good low post scorer and rebounder. More so that that, Jacobsen pairs the best with the big three Purdue has in TKR, Smith, and Loyer. Losing him for an extended time, especially given the run of games Purdue will have in the next week, is less than ideal.
Painter was, however, effusive in his praise for Will Berg following a very solid night with 7 points, 7 rebounds, and only 1 turnover in 17 minutes. Berg showed a really good ability to rebound the ball although some more work needs to happen for him to secure the rebound as it was poked out of his hands a few times. Depending on the status of Jacobsen moving forward, Berg is going to be needed in a bigger capacity and his rebounding will need to be stronger.
One thing Painter sees an immediate need to correct is the lack of communication from his players on the defensive end. “We need to do a better job of making them feel uncomfortable” Painter said and followed that with a critique that there are guys who play on the court like their personalities off it. Purdue has just two days to correct it before Yale, a team that defeated Auburn in the first round last season, makes their way to Mackey Arena.
Braden Smith, Will Berg, Fletcher Loyer: