Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and David Teague in 2010

David Teague (196-G-1983, college: Purdue) is a former professional player who had a stellar career from 2007-2014 playing in countries like Greece, France, Germany, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay and Columbia. The Indiana native played at Purdue (NCAA) from 2002-2007 playing a total of 121 games and averaged 14,0ppg and 5,0rpg in his last 2 years. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the fantastic 2024 Purdue run to the NCAA final.

Thanks David for talking to germanmhoops.com. You have been retired as a pro player for a decade. You played at Purdue (NCAA) from 2002-2007. How has the game changed since when you played? How would a Purdue team from 2007 do in today´s game?

The game is more open and fast-paced than when I last played in 2007. I think our Purdue team would fair well in today’s game because we were already a smaller team with players being able to play multiple positions.

Have you stayed a diehard Purdue fan since you left in 2007?

Yeah man. Not just Purdue University, but both of my coaches in Gene Keady and Matt Painter, have always created a family-type atmosphere. So once a Boiler always a Boiler.

With what kind of a feeling did you go into the final playing against the defending champs UConn?

I went into that game with a lot of confidence for my guys because I felt we had the secret weapon plus the complimentary pieces to get it done.

Where did you watch the game? At home or in a bar or with friends?

I watched it at home with my wife and my youngest son.

Did you have any contact with former players leading up to the final?

Yeah I spoke to Zach Edey and Mason Gillis and told those guys just to continue to play hard, go through Zach, but stay confident.

Purdue lost 75-60. It seemed like one of those games where UConn was just a little better from start to finish. How do you summarize the end result?

Yeah UConn was just the better team. Their guys performed in their roles and our guys didn’t, besides Zach.

Zach Edey was a 1 man wrecking crew with 37 points and 10 rebounds. He had a great game but how much were those extra scorers missing?

They were missing tremendously. That was the difference in the game. If Braden scores his usual 14-15 points and Fletcher is able to chip in at least 10-12, we win easily.

Edey was a beast dominating every game at March madness and even had 40 points against Tennessee. Would Purdue have had any chance without him?

No way they have a chance without him.

You saw the championship game. How special is Zach Edey. How much stock did his game give him in the NBA Draft. How high could he go now?

I think his stock is high. His success in the NBA depends on the team he’s drafted to. Because so many teams play a smaller/stretch type of style, he has to go to the right situation.

Despite the loss how proud are you of being an ex Boliermaker?

I’m very proud of those guys. I love the way they dedicated themselves since last season’s first round exit. Zach returning to accomplish something special for our university and for his group of guys, shows his character. They are a special group!!

Head coach Matt Painter has been there since 2005. I can imagine he won´t hang it up until he gets that title?

I’m not sure if a title is Coach’s determining factor. I know for sure it’s an accomplishment that he wants to achieve, but I don’t think he’s ever going to “overstay” his coaching position just to win a title.

Matt Painter is such a special coach that has reached the NCAA tournament 15 times and won 5 conference titles. How special of a coach is he?

He’s very special. I think what sets him apart from most other coaches is the fact that he too was a player, a point guard at that, on championship teams. And with All-Americans like Big Dog. So he understands from a player’s perspective and he’s firm on the natural development of guys.

You played for Matt Painter when he arrived in 2005. How has he developed as a coach?

He’s developed in the sense of more younger players and even other coaches are realizing his method to success and that’s development and commitment. Coach isn’t and has never really been interested in the “1-and-dones”. I think he’s attracting and will continue to attract the best local talent.

How special is a guy like Braden Smith? He has 2 more years to go.

He’s the best PG in the country in my opinion, and of course I’m biased lol. But I do think he’s easily a top 5 PG this PAST YEAR, so I definitely think he will be at least top 3 if not the #1 best PG in the country. I think he’s going to be able to display more of his scoring and offensive abilities with Zach gone. He still has TKR that is also going to develop tremendously without the presence of Zach.

Where will the journey of the Boilmakers go in the next years. They lose Edy, Jones and Gillis to graduation.

I think they will still be at the top of the Big Ten conference. They still have players like the 7 footer, TKR, Caleb Furst, and the youngsters Colvin and Heid returning with Braden and Fletcher. Plus Paint will have a good class of guys coming in to continue to feed the system of development!

Thanks David for the chat.