GLENDALE, AZ — Lance Jones spent four years developing his game at a mid-major program before deciding to enter the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-1 guard has played a huge role in helping the Boilermakers set a program record for wins, earn their first Final Four appearance since 1980 and ultimately reach the NCAA title game for only the second time in program history, the other time coming in 1969. The final step comes Monday night when the Boilermakers face reigning national champion UConn with a shot at their first crown.
“That’s kind of the way of the world right now, the landscape,” Painter said. “We got the fruits of their labor. We are very fortunate to be able to get somebody that was a quality player that could step right in. Now we were just kind of piecing the puzzle. Other programs, I think that’s a much harder thing.”
“We knew what he’s accomplished at stage,” Smith said. “He’s a huge defensive guy. That’s what we needed, we needed a defensive guy. And then also someone that could help handle the basketball. That has Lance written all over it.”“I think just being older, my transition was kind of easier,” Jones said. “I was more comfortable having relationships with the coaches. Being more outgoing, I kind of wasn't in a shell like a freshman necessarily would be. I was more comfortable and more laid back.
“He had the ball in his hands a lot more,” Newton said. “This year he’s more of a catch-and-shoot guy, play off others. So his film at Southern Illinois and Purdue are totally different, and you have to gameplan him differently.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: cleveland19news - 🏆 70. / 68 Read more »
Source: CBSNews - 🏆 87. / 68 Read more »
Source: FOXSports - 🏆 280. / 63 Read more »
Source: Covers - 🏆 341. / 59 Read more »
Source: dothaneagle - 🏆 337. / 59 Read more »
Source: FOXSports - 🏆 280. / 63 Read more »