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‘BTPowerhouse 25’ - #4 Vincent Edwards

BTPowerhouse's staff counts down the best players in the Big Ten heading into the 2017-’18 season.

By Justin Frommer
NCAA Basketball: Purdue at Northwestern
Purdue Forward Vincent Edwards
Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

In the months leading up to the 2017-’18 college basketball season, BTPowerhouse will be releasing a new series called the 'BTPowerhouse 25,' which features the Top 25 players in the Big Ten as voted by members of the staff. All players set to be on Big Ten rosters for next season were eligible during the staff vote with their top selection receiving 25 points and their 25th and final selection receiving 1 point.

Today's edition will take a brief look at Vincent Edwards of Purdue, who came in at No. 4 in the rankings. The Boilermakers hope that Edwards can continue to develop into one of the biggest mismatches in the conference.

'BTPowerhouse 25' - #4 Vincent Edwards:

  • Eligibility: Senior
  • Career Totals: 103 games, 2,851 minutes, 1,127 points, 520 rebounds, 302 assists
  • 2016-17 Averages: 28.6 min, 12.6 pts, 4.9 rebs, 0.6 asts, 3.2 blks, 0.6 stls
  • Positional Role: Forward

Vincent Edwards returns to Purdue for his senior season after testing the NBA Draft waters this offseason. In his time at Purdue, Edwards has been one of the most successful players in the country. Currently, he is the only player in college basketball with 1,000 career points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 career made three-pointers. Edwards has made a living taking smaller guards to the paint and stretching bigger forwards out to the perimeter where he shoots over them.

Player Strengths

Edwards has used his pure athleticism and size to become one of the biggest mismatches in the Big Ten. With his ability to shoot consistently from the outside, it has opened up opportunities in the paint.

According to DraftExpress, “He (Edwards) has displayed some potential as a slasher from the wing.”

Edwards has become one of the most dangerous threats from long distance shooting over 40% from the three-point line. That has led to more defensive attention around the perimeter which has given Edwards more looks around the basket.

Since his freshman season, he has also improved his rebounding going from about four boards per game to five per game. He will also be the second leading rebounder returning for Purdue with Isaac Haas being number one.

A good NBA comparison for Edwards is a “poor man's” Draymond Green. Though he is not as built physically as Green is, he does share the same problems he presents to defenses with his shooting on the perimeter and the ability to drive to the basket.

Areas for Improvement

If there has been one knack to Edwards’s game it has been his inconsistency at finishing when he gets looks at the basket.

According to DraftExpress:

“One area that he will need to improve upon as he develops his attacking game is his ability to finish around the rim in traffic. He lacks a quick first step or creative ball handling skills to create separation from his man easily, and doesn't have a ton of explosiveness off the move, which can lead to some tough finishes in the paint.”

Last season he converted less than half of his points inside of the paint. With the problems he presents against smaller guards, that number should be much higher. To become the complete basketball player Purdue is looking for, that is an area that will need to improve in 2017-18.

Player Projection

Edwards will once again be one of the focal points of the Boilermakers offense this season. A good year for him could put him in the record books in West Lafayette. Entering 2017-’18, Edwards only needs 373 points, 180 rebounds, and 98 assists to become the first player in Purdue history in the 1,500 points- 700 rebounds-and 400 assists club.

With the NBA moving into more perimeter based offenses, Edwards has improved his shooting percentage enough to where he could sneak into a late second round pick. He surely could be an undrafted free agent that could earn his way into the NBA with a strong summer league.

‘BT Powerhouse 25’ Rankings:

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