The BBC decided to bring in the big guns for this preview, and for good reason…no one knows the Boilers better than me.
34 teams in this year’s preseason ESPN/USA Today coaches poll were rated higher than the Purdue Boilermakers. Let me be the first to caution those who voted in the poll: you just poured gasoline onto a burning inferno. Not smart. Anyway, just like in years past, Purdue struggled come postseason and tourney time this past season in college basketball; managing just one win in the NCAA Tournament and an early, embarrassing exit at the hands of Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament. (The 18 point loss to VCU in the Round of 32 of the Tourney doesn’t seem so bad now).
Last Season:
All joking aside, it was still a solid year for Purdue, finishing 26-8 and second in the Big Ten was a far cry from where most preseason prognosticators had them once the news of forward Robbie Hummel’s second ACL tear was announced on Saturday, October 16. As you can imagine, I remember where I was, how stunned I looked when I panned down at my cell phone while standing on the sidelines of the Minnesota-Purdue football game and reading ‘Robbie Hummel out for the year with 2nd ACL tear.’ Immediately, Purdue was dropped out of the Top 25 by most writers, picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. Why do the voters feel the need to do this again, this time with Hummel returning to the team? I can tell you immediately: this team will compete for a Big Ten title, even without 2 of the best to ever play in West Lafayette.
JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore are gone from Purdue, and have rekindled their relationship in Boston with the Celtics. As a Boilermaker, we are all excited to see those 2 play this season (cough, cough, NBA. Get your act together). Losing 38.5 points per game is tough and isn’t easy to find. Which means the Boilers will look to a deep contingency of young, unproven talent to bring the points.
Key Player:
Can it be anyone else other than Robbie Hummel? Let’s start with the status of #4…for those in the Big Ten that are worried he’s back to full strength and his former self, your worst fears have been realized. What most don’t remember is Hummel’s tough, REAL tough. He played through a broken finger his freshman year and a severe back injury his sophomore season. He knows what it’s like to play through pain, so this is nothing new for him. He returns for his 5th year at Purdue, and has a new appreciation for the game after sitting out the past season and seeing the game from a new perspective. Having that in an already incredibly skilled forward is a deadly combination.
New Player(s) to Keep an Eye On:
Without the services of JaJuan inside, Purdue will look to a young, promising duo of freshmen to pick up the pace.
Freshmen Donnie Hale and Jacob Lawson weren’t highly regarded coming out of high school, but that’s even scarier cause no one knows about the ability and talent they have. Hale is still fitting into his 6’9 frame, hence he’s still a bit uncoordinated, but has a freakish amount of athleticism. He won’t be a huge threat offensively this year, but his defensive presence will be felt. Along with Hale is Jacob Lawson, a 6’7 forward that will make his presence known immediately. A physical, bruising paint pounder will give Purdue the toughness they need in the lane this year.
Big Games this Season:
They are littered all over the schedule this year. Beginning with the Puerto Rico Tip-off, Purdue opens with Iona. Now, that may not sound like a real intimidating game to begin a tournament, but don’t sleep on the Gaels. Bringing in Arizona transfer Momo Jones is only going to bolster what some are saying is the BEST team in the NY area (including St. John’s). If the Boilers win, they could see Temple, and then Colorado or Alabama down the road. A fairly strong field to begin.
After that, a non conference roady to Xavier and a neutral site game at Conseco Fieldhouse against Butler will have Purdue prepped and ready to roll come Big Ten time. Oh, did I mention that they only play at Ohio State this year and the last game of the regular season is at Indiana? They are all big games this year for the Boilers.
Outlook for this Season:
Purdue will be doubted all season long and the only way to silence the doubters is WIN. Purdue has a chance to do quite a bit of that in 2011-2012. Next to Hummel, seniors Ryne Smith and Lewis Jackson will have to pick up their scoring pace with the departure of JaJuan and E’Twaun. Along with that, the younger Boilers will have to develop quickly to fill as suitable role players for a Matt Painter team that always brings their lunch pail to games.
The injury bug always does seem to bite Purdue, but if they stay healthy, there’s no doubt that they will compete for the Big Ten title.
Where They’ll Finish:
Anywhere from 1-5 in the Big Ten to be completely honest. This season is completely centered around not whether or not Purdue can fill the huge shoes left by Johnson and Moore. Guard play will have to play much more experienced than in years past and the big men inside will have to play much more physical around the tin.
I do know one thing: Purdue is here to stay for a while. With Top 25 recruiting classes coming in in 2012, 2013, and 2014, the Boilermakers aren’t going anywhere. The Big Ten better be on alert.
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