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Purdue should benefit from being selected to represent the U.S.
As if last week's return of forwards Caleb Swanigan and Vince Edwards weren't encouraging enough for Purdue, the Boilermakers released some more promising news Tuesday morning.
They announced that they have been selected to represent the United States at the World University Games in Chinese Taipei in August 2017.
“We are obviously very excited to represent our country at the World University Games," Purdue coach Matt Painter said in a statement released by the school. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our program."
The opportunity to play in the World University Games is beneficial to Purdue for several reasons, none more important than the chance for the 2017-18 Boilermakers to build chemistry and continuity via extra summer practices, an overseas trip and two weeks of games. The event also will bring notoriety to Purdue and could help coach Matt Painter's recruiting efforts this year as he can sell Class of 2017 prospects on the chance to represent their country.
The last college team to represent the U.S. at the World University Games is Kansas, which defeated Germany in double overtime last July to capture America's first gold medal in 10 years at the event. The World University Games served as a springboard for a Jayhawks team that went on to win 33 games, extend its Big 12 title streak to 12 in a row and earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament before falling to eventual national champ Villanova in the Elite Eight.
Kansas was a safe choice because it has been consistently elite pretty much every season during Bill Self's tenure. Purdue is a greater risk because the Boilermakers have been more hit-and-miss under Painter and their prospects for the 2017-18 season are still a bit murky.
While the Boilermakers are expected to return to the NCAA tournament and perhaps even contend in the Big Ten next season, they may lose some key pieces next spring. Michigan transfer Spike Albrecht is the team's lone senior, however, Swanigan and Edwards may enter the NBA draft once again and it certainly wouldn't be a huge surprise if 7-footer Isaac Haas joined them.
But regardless of how strong a roster Purdue returns, representing the U.S. at the World University Games is a coup for the Boilermakers.
They've made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. They're poised for an even better season next year. And they have something to look forward to the following summer as well.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
