In the moments following Purdue basketball’s loss to 16th seed FDU last season, head coach Matt Painter touched on what the Boilermakers needed to get over the hump.
Painter said Purdue basketball needed someone who could defend, break down opposing defenses and shoot. He would find a player who could do all three of things weeks later when Lance Jones, a four year starter at Southern Illinois, changed his residency to West Lafayette.
However, it came at a price.
While at Southern Illinois, Jones ran the Southern Illinois offense, transforming the Salukis with his scoring production. At Purdue, Jones became more of a role player, facilitating the offense when in and taking advantage of his time.
Has he ever.
Playing in his first NCAA Tournament, Jones has been a key ingredient in Purdue basketball’s run to Monday’s national championship game. Against N.C. State, Jones connected on four three pointers that helped bring Purdue’s offense out of a funk. He finished with 14 points and four rebounds in the Purdue basketball win.
Against Tennessee, Jones came up clutch again for the Boilers, drilling a three pointer to push Purdue ahead 66-60 with under three minutes to play. Defensively, he managed to hold Dalton Knecht at bay, forcing the Tennessee standout to miss nine of his first 14 shot attempts in the second half.
Asked earlier this season what his goals were with Purdue, Jones kept it simple.
“Do whatever the team needed to help win, and be someone guys could lean on,” Jones said.
According to Painter, Purdue is “fortunate” to have Jones.
“He really embraces big moments. He competes, he makes big shots out there. He’s great, fun to coach, and he’s a good dude. Fortunate to have him,” Painter said.
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