POINT GUARD
Player PPG APG
Eldridge 4.5 2.4
Mayfield 2.5 2.1
Kerfhof 0.6 0.2
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The point guard won't be necessarily a strength for Purdue,
but should be rather solid. I consider Eldridge a natural
shooting guard, but he has adapted to his role rather well.
He needs to continue to improve his ability to penetrate and
create scoring oppurtunities.
Tony Mayfield will always be known for the defensive performance
he put on against A.J. Guyton in last year's Big Ten
Tournament. His offensive game was a little behind last
season, but he continued to improve game-by-game.
SHOOTING GUARD
Player PPG RPG
Cornell 11.5 2.6
Cunningham --- ---
Lewis --- ---
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The shooting guard should be Purdue's strength this season.
Cornell and Cunningham can both shoot the lights out. Cornell
was leading the Big Ten in three-point FG% before his injury at
exactly .500. He can sure get Purdue a 10 point lead in a hurry.
His defense is very solid, too. He is very smart, and anticipates
well. Cunningham was Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 1996,
and is probably excited about playing after he had to sit
out last season. Kendrick said he is the kind of player
who can score 10 to 12 points in just a couple of minutes.
Maynard Lewis is a freshman coming from Terre Haute, Indiana.
Although he has always played the point, Keady says he will
play the two-guard, because he is too good a scorer to be passing
the ball all the time.
SMALL FORWARD
Player PPG RPG
Robinson 10.6 5.0
Stephens --- ---
Davis --- ---
Smith --- ---
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Purdue lacks experience in this position, but Mike Robinson
should really be solid this season. He seems to have finally
adapted to his new "not a superstar" role. He crashes the
offensive glass extremely well, though it would be nice
to see him regain his shooting touch. His defense has continued
to improve, and he continues to blend in better each time.
Who will back up Robinson is a big question.
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There are three
players here that definitely have the ability to do so, but
do they have the experience? How well will Prop48's Davis
and Stephens respond to sitting out a year without even practicing
with the team? Both are similar players, though Stephens is
more versatile and can play on the perimeter, but Davis seems to
be better in the post, and could possibly play the four-spot.
Rodney Smith comes into the lineup with good high school
experience, having won the state title, and being an Indiana
All-Star. He is extremely athletic and fairly quick.
POWER FORWARD
Player PPG RPG
Cardinal 10.6 5.0
Gary McQuay 5.3 4.1
Davis --- ---
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This should be one of Purdue's strongest areas with the return
of Cardinal and McQuay. Cardinal is a very aggressive player
with a great shooting touch. I would like to see him shoot a
few more three-pointers this season. McQuay came on strong at
the end of last season, as he had to fill in for an ailing
Cardinal in the Big Ten tourney. Both should do excellent at
the power forward position. Jamal Davis may play this position
or he may play the three. Chances are that if Cardinal or McQuay
is either one forced to play center, Davis will fill in at the
four-spot.
CENTER
Player PPG RPG
Greg McQuay --- ---
Allison --- ---
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Here is where you see all the hyphens in last season's stats.
This is definitely Purdue's weakness as of now. It will be interesting
to see how well John Allison comes along. He is known as an
outstanding shot blocker. However, his frame is a little frail,
and his footwork still needs improvement.
Greg McQuay comes from Southern Idaho JC and boasts a 46-inch
vertical leap. He scored a solid 15.2 ppg and grabbed 8.5
rpg at S Idaho.
This position could be a real problem for Purdue, but they
seem to have enough depth at other positions to make up
for it.
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Junior Jaraan Cornell