WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue guard Keaton Grant misses injured teammate Lewis Jackson’s ability to break down defenses, which often creates open shots.

But that doesn’t mean Grant is disappointed with the Boilermakers’ rotation at point guard without Jackson.

No. 4 Purdue (10-0) is largely getting better production out of its current group – senior starter Grant, senior Mark Wohlford and freshman Kelsey Barlow – than it has the last three seasons, all of which ended in trips to the NCAA tournament.

“In terms of wearing down the opponent, I’d say we’re better than in previous years,” said Grant, who has played more games (113) than any player on the current roster and started since his freshman season. “Instead of two jamming (the ballhandler full court), we have three. We do more of the little things, more than anything, better.”

As a group, they’re averaging 12.3 points, 4.8 assists, 3.1 turnovers, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game and shooting 42 percent from the field.

That’s fewer turnovers, more rebounds and steals and a better shooting percentage than what Grant and then-freshman Jackson combined for last season.

It’s only 0.2 fewer assists. The assists, turnovers, rebounds, steals and shooting percentage totals of this season’s group also are better than the team’s other two seasons during the current NCAA tournament streak.

“I feel like it’s three different types of heat when we go in there,” said Barlow, who didn’t play much point guard at Indianapolis Cathedral.

“Keaton is more of the leader, gets everyone going. I’m more of drive, penetrate, get people open, and Mark is the defensive stopper.

“It’s like three different types of point guards, so it’s not the same thing for the other team we’re playing.

“So it’s kind of hard for them to adjust.”

Barlow is the closest to providing the missing Jackson element of getting to the rim on a whim and producing points for himself or finding open teammates.

His 23 assists lead the point guards, and he’s continuing to learn his role in the offense.

The next step is to continue that aggressiveness against conference opponents, starting with the opener at Iowa on Dec. 29.

Grant is eager to see how Barlow responds against consistently tough competition.

“I think it’s going to take him a little bit because the scouting report is going to get a whole lot better when we get to the Big Ten season,” Grant said.

“I’m not saying it’s not going to be easy for him. There’s nobody (like him): 6-(foot)-6, quick and very shifty. Anyone who is tall and shifty and can move his body like that can be very dangerous. He’s just going to find his ways to attack.”

The biggest boost with the three-man rotation this season may be on the defensive end.

Barlow is the quickest of the group and the most length, but Grant is steady and smart, and Wohlford can be a pest with his high level of energy.

All three are able to pick up opposing teams’ point guards and pressure the length of the floor – or “jamming.”

“We help each other energy-wise because we all can jam, and it makes it easier,” Barlow said.

“We’re all pretty much fresh by the end of the game and the other point guard is normally more tired than we are.

“So it’s beneficial that we have all three of us working together trying to tire out the point guard.”

Coach Matt Painter also has helped fight fatigue by spreading the group’s minutes.

Grant averages 20.7, Barlow 16.2 and Wohlford 10.2. That could change in Big Ten play, but right now, Painter is happy with the production.

“I like our depth at that position,” Painter said. “I think we’re very flexible and even though we miss Lewis and what he brings to the table, I still think we have some quality players that have been very productive for us.”

sclardie@jg.net