2010 Preview: Purdue

The semester is coming to a close. It's been a good run since late January when this started. Hope it's been real. I'm not done quite yet, though.


Ten teams have already been previewed, which leaves one left: the Purdue Boilermakers, my
2009-10 Big Ten champion.


Key Returnees: F Robbie Hummel, G E'Twaun Moore, C JaJuan Johnson, G Chris Kramer
Key Departures: F Nemanja Calasan, G Marcus Green
2010 Recruits: F Patrick Bade (Indianapolis, IN), F Jeff Robinson (Indianapois, IN), F Kelsey Barlow (Indianapolis, IN), G D.J. Byrd (Crawfordsville, IN), C Sandi Marcius (LaPorte, IN)
Biggest Need: Bench depth
2010 Outlook: Out of all eleven teams, Purdue is the only team with all five starters returning (Moore, Hummel, Johnson, Kramer, guard Lewis Jackson). They've also got the conference's best weapon off the bench in sharpshooter Keaton Grant. They got hot at the right time, winning the Big Ten Tournament and advancing to the Sweet 16. This is a cohesive unit and they have great chemistry together. They are very knowledgable about their roles on the team and this is a group that is going to continue to grow.

Robbie Hummel, the preseason pick for Player of the Year, was never truly 100 percent healthy, essentially playing with a broken back the last half of the conference season. Yet, even crippled, he showed tremendous grit, having a sensational month of March. If he can fully recover from the back injury, which is expected, he should be a contender for the honor once again. JaJuan Johnson caught the eyes of many NBA scouts with his long, athletic frame, but decided to return to school after a sensational sophomore season. He'll add some more muscle to his frame and be one of the conference's best post players on both sides of the basketball.

Despite his run-in with the law earlier this offseason, speedy guard Lewis Jackson will likely be the guy to run things again next year. He's not likely to scortch you with his shooting touch, but he can distribute the ball and pester defenders. His off-the-court troubles likely nets him a multiple game suspension, but the Boilermakers should be fine in his absence.



Outside of the top six, there isn't anybody else that has proven themselves, which makes coach Matt Painter's recruiting class important. Purdue has got to find some depth on the bench to spell their starters. They've loaded up on frontcourt players (four of the five incoming freshmen are forwards/centers) but none of them really spell "superstar. Patrick Bade has the potential to garner the most playing time of them all and has a Big Ten-ready body (6'8", 225 lbs.). D.J. Byrd has got game, but with so many other guards ahead of him, it might be difficult to earn playing time.

Interestingly, each of them are from the state of Indiana. For those of you at home keeping tabs on the recruiting battle between Purdue and Indiana, the Boilermakers are clearly winning that one. They've haven't had to stray outside their state borders to grab the talent they need. IU's Tom Crean is still building relationships with high school coaches throughout the state, but it's very obvious Painter has a leg up on his counterpart to the south, at least for now.

Purdue's lineup, complete with their coach and playing experience, make them my choice to win the Big Ten. Here's a rundown of how I think the conference will play out:


1. Purdue
2. Michigan State
3. Ohio State
4. Minnesota
5. Illinois
6. Michigan
7. Wisconsin
8. Penn State
9. Indiana
10. Northwestern
11. Iowa

What are your thoughts?
Photo: Indianapolis Star