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PROVIDENCE, R.I. − Aaron Fine has the talent to be a Division I guard and Purdue basketball is utilizing it.
The walk-on freshman has been portraying High Point senior guard Kezza Giffa during practices in preparation of Thursday's first round of the NCAA Tournament.
It's just one of many things we learned while scouring the Boilermakers’ locker room on Wednesday.
Ahead of the NCAA Tournament at Amica Mutual Pavilion, we had five questions for five different Boilermakers.
Here's what they said.
More: Fletcher Loyer will play in NCAA Tournament. Purdue basketball can't afford him not to
Q: For Caleb Furst, earlier in your career you were more willing to take 3-pointers (22-for-67 as a freshman and sophomore, 0 attempts as a senior). Is it by design that is not something coaches want you doing now or do you realize there's better options offensively at times?
Furst: Probably a mix of both. I think it helps that we have so many good shooters on the floor at all times. I've talked about whatever my role is, doing it with joy and doing it to the best of my ability. That has been my focus.
Q: For Cam Heide, I'm sure you're aware that Purdue is a popular upset pick. Does that not sit well with the guys in this locker room?
Heide: It's something we don't really talk about. We just focus on the game. Obviously there is something to prove. Every time we are picked to lose, frequently in tournament, it's not a good feeling, but it's something we've had to live with. The loss (to Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023), we had to sit in that for a whole year.
Q: For CJ Cox, you're from Massachusetts and get to play your first NCAA Tournament in New England. Were you hoping to play the first round in Providence?
Cox: I have a lot of friends and family coming. Uncles, aunts, my dad's sister, a few friends. I saw a lot on Bracketology that we would be in either Seattle or Denver. When we watched selection Sunday and we got that Providence, I was really excited. I texted my dad immediately and said we were coming to Providence and see who would be coming from family and friends.
Q: For Aaron Fine, as a walk-on freshman, what is your role this week for the NCAA Tournament?
Fine: I was (Kezza) Giffa in practice. He's obviously a great player, averages 14 or 15 (points) a game in a great conference for a great team. I was trying to get downhill to the left hand and simulate him as much as I can and help prepare us for that.
Q: For Will Berg, in the last couple of games, Matt Painter has inserted you into the lineup during the first half. How do you keep your mindset when in your role, you never know when your next opportunity might come, but always having to be ready for it?
Berg: Earlier in the year, I mentioned our culture is next man up. The saying is always be ready. It's been about sticking to that. You can look at matchups and get a little bit of a hint of times to be a little bit more locked in than usual. Coaches always emphasize to everyone to always be ready because you never know when that opportunity might come.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 5 questions for Purdue basketball before NCAA Tournament vs High Point
Continue reading...
The walk-on freshman has been portraying High Point senior guard Kezza Giffa during practices in preparation of Thursday's first round of the NCAA Tournament.
It's just one of many things we learned while scouring the Boilermakers’ locker room on Wednesday.
Ahead of the NCAA Tournament at Amica Mutual Pavilion, we had five questions for five different Boilermakers.
Here's what they said.
More: Fletcher Loyer will play in NCAA Tournament. Purdue basketball can't afford him not to
Five questions for Purdue basketball
Q: For Caleb Furst, earlier in your career you were more willing to take 3-pointers (22-for-67 as a freshman and sophomore, 0 attempts as a senior). Is it by design that is not something coaches want you doing now or do you realize there's better options offensively at times?
Furst: Probably a mix of both. I think it helps that we have so many good shooters on the floor at all times. I've talked about whatever my role is, doing it with joy and doing it to the best of my ability. That has been my focus.
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Q: For Cam Heide, I'm sure you're aware that Purdue is a popular upset pick. Does that not sit well with the guys in this locker room?
Heide: It's something we don't really talk about. We just focus on the game. Obviously there is something to prove. Every time we are picked to lose, frequently in tournament, it's not a good feeling, but it's something we've had to live with. The loss (to Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023), we had to sit in that for a whole year.
Q: For CJ Cox, you're from Massachusetts and get to play your first NCAA Tournament in New England. Were you hoping to play the first round in Providence?
Cox: I have a lot of friends and family coming. Uncles, aunts, my dad's sister, a few friends. I saw a lot on Bracketology that we would be in either Seattle or Denver. When we watched selection Sunday and we got that Providence, I was really excited. I texted my dad immediately and said we were coming to Providence and see who would be coming from family and friends.
Q: For Aaron Fine, as a walk-on freshman, what is your role this week for the NCAA Tournament?
Fine: I was (Kezza) Giffa in practice. He's obviously a great player, averages 14 or 15 (points) a game in a great conference for a great team. I was trying to get downhill to the left hand and simulate him as much as I can and help prepare us for that.
Q: For Will Berg, in the last couple of games, Matt Painter has inserted you into the lineup during the first half. How do you keep your mindset when in your role, you never know when your next opportunity might come, but always having to be ready for it?
Berg: Earlier in the year, I mentioned our culture is next man up. The saying is always be ready. It's been about sticking to that. You can look at matchups and get a little bit of a hint of times to be a little bit more locked in than usual. Coaches always emphasize to everyone to always be ready because you never know when that opportunity might come.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 5 questions for Purdue basketball before NCAA Tournament vs High Point
Continue reading...
