Purdue Basketball: 10 Keys to Get Back on Track

Purdue basketball has been rocky since the second half against Xavier where the Boilermakers scored a total of eight points in the last 10 minutes and blew a huge lead against the eighth-ranked Musketeers. 

Since then, Purdue has been deflated and has not been playing with a whole lot of energy, which is a matter of concern for many Purdue fans heading into Big Ten play. 

Here are 10 keys for Purdue to get their season back on track. 

Shoot Better Shots

This may seem simple, but Purdue is shooting 44 percent from the field this season, which is okay, but Purdue needs to be taking better shots for this squad to excel. 

The days of JaJuan Johnson being able to bail out Purdue after a bad shot are over, so taking high percentage shots is going to be key from here on out. 

The lack of brains being used when driving the lane by some players right now is astonishing and needs to be fixed. Driving the lane and slashing is great, as long as you make it and it's not a circus shot. It seems as though at the moment some players cannot control themselves when driving the lane. 

Free Throws

Free throws are called free throws for a reason, they are free. They are easy points that cannot be given up in close games.

Purdue has struggled from the line all season. The Boilermakers are shooting 61 percent form the line this year and have struggled to make clutch free throws all season. 

Start Jacob Lawson

Purdue has come to the point in the season where they need to start the best players right now. Not based on seniority, or anything else, they need to start the best.

It's time for Jacob Lawson to start. 

Lawson will need to step up the intensity and really learn to fight, but from the performances I've seen this season, he is the most athletic player on the squad and should be playing a lot more. 

Step Up the Intensity

The loss against Xavier took the wind out of the Boilermakers, but this team needs to realize that the season is just beginning. A few non-conference losses aren't going to kill you down the line when playing in the Big Ten.

It's time for this team to start playing like Purdue plays, smart, hard and intense. 

Kelsey Barlow, I'm talking to you. You are the most prolific trash talker in all of the conference. It's up to you to get under the opponents skin and bring a toughness to this squad. 

Three Pointers

This team has lived and died by the three ball this season, which is not surprising with a guard-heavy team that relies on a select few post players offensively. 

The three-point shot needs to be limited for this team to be successful. 

Sure, when Ryne Smith is open, shoot the rock, but there is no need for Lawson to be throwing up threes or a constant raining of treys. 

More DJ Byrd

For some reason, DJ Byrd has fallen out of good graces for Purdue. Byrd, a junior guard, has been known to catch Mackey Arena on fire with his tough play and shot-making ability.

Byrd needs to find a way back into the good graces of his coach because he has the ability to do a lot of things for this squad including post play. 

It's important that Byrd gets whatever the issue is fixed. 

Just Forget About Xavier at Least the Second Half

It would be in the best interest of this squad to just forget about the second half of the Xavier loss, as it was one of the worst halves of Purdue basketball ever.

Hopefully this squad has found a way to put this behind them. 

John Hart Return

It looks like John Hart might be ready to go. 

After getting a few minutes in the last game, it is go time for Hart who is going to have to really prove whether he is still the player he was before this rash of injuries.

If Hart is healthy, he is able to be one of the best shooters in the country, which would mean a lot to Purdue. 

Better Post Play

Besides the youth of Jacob Lawson, Purdue's post play has been horrible. Not just horrible as in having one bad game, but the horrible as in cringing.

Travis Carroll and Sandi Marcius better improve fast, or they are going to be left riding the pine all of next season as well as the end of this season. 

A Win Against Butler

Although Butler is down this season, a win against the Bulldogs would be great for the program and the morale of the team. In a neutral environment, it would just be good to beat the national runner-ups this season.

A big win against Butler is going to be important for the rest of the season as Purdue approaches conference play.