Purdue freshman Daniel Jacobsen plans to build on educational experience against Creighton
Brandon Brantley checks in daily with Daniel Jacobsen.
Brantley asks about basketball-related topics or academics, but it’s usually not the first question.
“Every day I ask him – you get something to eat?” Brantley said with a smile.
After the quick answer of, ‘Yes, coach,’ Purdue’s veteran assistant offers advice to the 7-foot-4 center from Chicago.
“Whatever they got, double up on it,” Brantley said.
Jacobsen is following orders.
He’s in the process of adding strength to his long frame and received a first-hand “education,” Brantley said about last weekend’s charity exhibition game at Creighton.
Jacobsen battled talented big man Ryan Kalkbrenner, an All-American and preseason Big East Player of the Year, and left Omaha with an experience that should pay dividends throughout the rest of the season.
“Started off the season playing against great competition,” said Jacobsen, who totaled seven points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.
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Jacobsen is already receiving an education going against teammates Trey Kaufman-Renn and Will Berg since arriving on campus this summer.
They make it difficult for Jacobsen, and that’s how it should be. At least in the games, officials will stop play for fouls, but Matt Painter and his staff allow more physical contact in practice to enhance development.
“He’s gotten the hell beat out of him,” Brantley said.
Watching the game live and seeing it on film later exposed Jacobsen to the rigors of playing in the post at the highest level of college basketball.
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“We watched the film, and ‘you were too easy to play against. You let him off the hook and allowed him to be in his comfort level. You’ve got to learn to do to him what other people do to you,’ ” Brantley told Jacobsen.
That’s why it’s essential for Jacobsen not to miss any meals. He’s told to eat more. The three meals a day – sometimes four – along with the daily supplement of protein shakes keep Jacobsen on the right track.
Jacobsen isn’t all about playing inside, although his shot-blocking skills are impressive. He’s a threat from the 3-point line, creating mismatches for opponents. His versatility will become a weapon the Boilermakers will lean on throughout his career.
“I want to be versatile and play inside and out,” Jacobsen said. “That kind of goes with gaining weight, too. I don’t want to be so heavy that I can’t move, but be strong enough to move guys and hold my own.”
Jacobsen has a comfort level on the perimeter that didn’t exist with two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey, a lottery pick by Memphis in last summer’s NBA Draft.
That’s just fine for the Boilermakers. The matchup options with Jacobsen on the floor and who Painter and his staff can surround him with are numerous and should be advantageous this season and beyond.
“He’ll be a low post scorer, but he already can pop out of ball screens, but he could be a guy that hits pull-ups or whatever he chooses to do. Whatever his commitment level is … if he has the commitment level that Zach had, ‘Oh, my god. The sky is the limit.’ ”
