Dakota Mathias / 2016-17 Year in Pictures One of the most-improved players in the Big ten, mathias had an outstanding junior campaign

Named to the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team, Mathias had another outstanding season for the Boilermakers. He started all 35 games, leading the team in assists (133) while averaging 9.7 points per game in all games played. In conference play, he averaged 10.5 points per game and shot 46.5 percent from long range. His 72 triples this past year were the 11th most in school history.

In the Big Ten opener against Iowa, Mathias scored 17 points, including 15 in the first half. He made 4-of-7 3-pointers. It was the most points he had scored in a Big Ten game up until that point in his career.

Mathias shot 45.3 percent from long range as a junior, the seventh-best percentage for a season in school history.

Mathias' 154 career trifectas rank 11th in Purdue history. He needs 89 3-pointers during his senior season to tie the school record for career 3-pointers.

His career 3-point percentage of .394 ranks 11th on the Purdue list.

In the Cancun Challenge, he averaged 18.5 points and 5.5 assists to be named to the All-Tournament team. He was 10-of-14 from long distance and scored a career-high 25 points in the win over Utah State.

Mathias made at least three triples in a game 11 times during the season. Purdue was 10-1 when he made at least three 3-pointers in a game last year.

With a Big Ten title on the line, Mathias was at his brightest, scoring 19 points with seven rebounds and four assists in a title-clinching victory over Indiana at Mackey Arena. He scored 17 first-half points to lift the Boilermakers to their 23rd conference championship.

Purdue's team leader in assists (133), Mathias posted an assist / turnover ratio of 2.56 (133 / 52). He dished out a career-high 10 assists against Minnesota and had 19 assists against four turnovers in NCAA Tournament play. Purdue was 9-2 this year when he distributed at least five assists.

Mathias buried two 3-pointers in the final 40 seconds of the first half of the second-round game against Iowa State, giving Purdue a 13-point halftime lead.

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a Copyright Violation, please follow Section 17 in the Terms of Use.