Nov. 11, 2016
Mathias was a key member off of the bench last season appearing in all 35 games, averaging 5.5 points and 2.3 assists while owning a 3.90 assist/turnover ratio. He made his statement around the country while leading the Boilermakers to victory against No. 10-ranked Maryland in Mackey Arena, exploding for a season-high 17 points.
Highlighted as one of the best 3-point threats in the Big Ten, Mathias shot 38.6 percent from behind the arc last season and was even better at 41.5 percent in conference play. With high hopes and expectations around the country for the Boilermakers, Mathias is just the right candidate to take control of the team.
Mathias is a management major and was also selected to the Big Ten All-Academic team last season. He is known around the team for being the biggest Golden State Warrior fan and when he is not in the gym working on his game you can find him on the tennis courts or playing euchre with friends.
QUESTION: Now that you have been here and have valuable experience, what is your mindset coming into your junior season?
"I think right off the bat is to be more aggressive. The last few years we relied on A.J. (Hammons) a lot down low, deservingly so, he was one of the best big men in the country. I think especially this year the guards, PJ Thompson, Ryan Cline, Carsen Edwards and myself have to be more aggressive from the get go."
QUESTION: What part of your game have you worked on most to improve in the offseason?
"A lot of it was ball-handling, just being able to get separation from quicker, more athletic guys in the Big Ten and the tournament. I just have to have that edge; your ball-handling takes you so far. You watch guys like Steph Curry and Chris Paul they can go wherever they want because their ball-handling is so good so I think is what I wanted to focus on a lot."
QUESTION: On a roster that only features two seniors, how does it feel to be named one of the captains for the upcoming season?
"It is quite an honor especially because our fellow teammates voted for us, so that just tells you that you are doing stuff right on and off the court. It is more of a privilege than an honor so we have to back it up every day."
QUESTION: What was your favorite moment of the season last year?
"It was probably the Maryland game. That was a special one. We had the blackout here and Maryland was a top-10 team and obviously Reggie Miller tweeted at me so that was a pretty cool experience."
QUESTION: Away from basketball, what would you say your favorite thing about Purdue would be?
"I would say the people and the fans. I am not sure how it is other places but these people really care and understand the game of basketball and you can tell when you are out and about talking to people that they genuinely care about you and they want to know how you are as a person."
By Tommy Barrett / Purdue Athletics Communications Student Assistant -
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Elected by his teammates as one of four captains for the upcoming season, junior Dakota Mathias is poised to take the next step as a leader of the team.Mathias was a key member off of the bench last season appearing in all 35 games, averaging 5.5 points and 2.3 assists while owning a 3.90 assist/turnover ratio. He made his statement around the country while leading the Boilermakers to victory against No. 10-ranked Maryland in Mackey Arena, exploding for a season-high 17 points.
Highlighted as one of the best 3-point threats in the Big Ten, Mathias shot 38.6 percent from behind the arc last season and was even better at 41.5 percent in conference play. With high hopes and expectations around the country for the Boilermakers, Mathias is just the right candidate to take control of the team.
Mathias is a management major and was also selected to the Big Ten All-Academic team last season. He is known around the team for being the biggest Golden State Warrior fan and when he is not in the gym working on his game you can find him on the tennis courts or playing euchre with friends.
QUESTION: Now that you have been here and have valuable experience, what is your mindset coming into your junior season?
"I think right off the bat is to be more aggressive. The last few years we relied on A.J. (Hammons) a lot down low, deservingly so, he was one of the best big men in the country. I think especially this year the guards, PJ Thompson, Ryan Cline, Carsen Edwards and myself have to be more aggressive from the get go."
QUESTION: What part of your game have you worked on most to improve in the offseason?
"A lot of it was ball-handling, just being able to get separation from quicker, more athletic guys in the Big Ten and the tournament. I just have to have that edge; your ball-handling takes you so far. You watch guys like Steph Curry and Chris Paul they can go wherever they want because their ball-handling is so good so I think is what I wanted to focus on a lot."
QUESTION: On a roster that only features two seniors, how does it feel to be named one of the captains for the upcoming season?
"It is quite an honor especially because our fellow teammates voted for us, so that just tells you that you are doing stuff right on and off the court. It is more of a privilege than an honor so we have to back it up every day."
QUESTION: What was your favorite moment of the season last year?
"It was probably the Maryland game. That was a special one. We had the blackout here and Maryland was a top-10 team and obviously Reggie Miller tweeted at me so that was a pretty cool experience."
QUESTION: Away from basketball, what would you say your favorite thing about Purdue would be?
"I would say the people and the fans. I am not sure how it is other places but these people really care and understand the game of basketball and you can tell when you are out and about talking to people that they genuinely care about you and they want to know how you are as a person."