Purdue Lands Big Man

The Purdue men's basketball team claims to have signed center Sandi Marcius, who moved from Croatia to LaPorte, Ind., for his senior season.

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound center averaged 15 points, 15 rebounds, and seven blocked shots for La Lumiere last season.

Marcius will help the void of Nemanja Calasan, a forward who is no longer eligible in the NCAA after playing two years for the Boilermakers after Junior College. Marcius will be a steady backup to all-conference center JaJuan Johnson.

"We have been recruiting Sandi since the fall and are excited about his decision to come to Purdue," head coach Matt Painter said in a news release Monday. "He has really made strides this year at La Lumiere School under Coach Brooks."

Marcius was coached by Delray Brooks, the 1984 Indiana "Mr. Basketball."

"We feel that he is going to give us an inside presence on both ends of the floor," Painter said. "He gives us another big body along the frontline which is something we've been looking to address. We really feel like he will fit in well with our current player as well as the guys we have coming in with him."

Scouting Report

Author: zu (from Indiana Basketball News Message Board) - Marcius is a 6'10" highly athletic post with a very strong frame. Purdue will definately need his size in the post, and he may be that missing piece of bulk that can put Purdue a bit closer to elite level like Michigan State, NC, Duke, etc. Not on the same level, but much closer. Would probably be Painters most important recruit if he decides to go there since the others (J. Robinson, Bade) are just carbon copies of what he already has.

Author: Reg Tisdale (from Indiana Basketball News Message Board) - He is very skilled offensively scoring adeptly from 5' to 22'.. He hits the boards hard and is very aggressive in the paint. His bulk and total game is just what the Boilers need in the Post.....