Purdue Prepares For Visiting IU

I must admit that last night was bittersweet for me as an IU basketball fan from birth!  I sat behind a Purdue fan a few years ago in Assembly Hall and all I could think about was what this guy was thinking last night...IU has jerk fans too and I know that but this guy was AWFUL and I had a young child with me.  He let me know that Purdue would own IU for years to come with Painter in town lol.  I am pro Big 10 and will always root for Purdue, especially the in state school but PU fans should be concerned right now.  Painter is not building a winning team...call it rebuilding if you desire but this team is bad, they cannot score (outside Hammons), no defense or fight in them, and no chemistry.  There is NO reason Painter should not be recruiting better other than IU and Butler recruiting the state well.  I am thinking Painter is on a short leash if you don't make the Big Dance this year and next year is not much better.  Alumni and Trustees hate 37 point beat downs more than the fans.  Good luck and I will be rooting for you...of course not vs IU!!!  What are the Purdue fans opinions on the season and Painter as a coach?

He recruited too many guards with the same skillset.  Most of the defensive problems last night were simply a result of freshman playing a run and gun, high tempo transition team for the first time.  Can't leave the trailing 3pt threat open on the break.  For as much as 2008-2011 recruiting classes weren't good, 2012 is back on track.  Next year we should be on par with IU assuming Zeller and/or Olidipo split for the NBA.

It was a bad loss, but we're still 4-4 in the B1G while starting 3 freshmen.  Painter's seat isn't even room temperature yet.

Painter would have to miss the NCAA's next season as well to be on the hot seat. I don't think that's likely, though it's possible.

It will be hot if they don't make the Tourney this year.  If Zeller leaves which he most likely won't and I see Oladipo staying too...next year will be magical!  Vonleh can play 4 positions and Williams is a taller Oladipo, don't discount our #3 ranked class next year.  I understand you thinking PU will be on par with IU some time soon but I just don't see it, not with the recruiting IU is doing and if IU happens to win it all this year or next...PU will be down for quite some time.  Not trying to rain on you but can you really see PU on par with IU?  I agree with your take on why PU is struggling, Painter did not put the puzzle together well for this year, he is missing a lot!  His seat will be hot I have a feeling!  Also, with beat downs like last night recruiting gets tougher and some might walk away...

I think it's very likely Olidipo or Zeller leaves, and a decent chance that they both leave.  I'm not discounting your recruiting class, but I will say this class for Purdue was underrated just for the mere fact that Hammons was way underrated.  18th ranked center according to ESPN?  There are maybe 2 or 3 freshman centers ahead of him.  I expect to be back in the top 25 next year.  IU is at least top 25 next year, and maybe top 10 depending on who stays/leaves.  So IU might still be a half step ahead, but certainly IU and Purdue will be the closest in skill we've been since 2007-2008 season.

I guess I can understand what you are saying...if you are a true fan you want to believe and I get that.  IU slacked off of Hammons because of his lazy reputation...Painter has done great with him!  I don't see Purdue in the top 25 next year when thinking of Mich, MSU, OSU, and Illinois, us.  IU even without Zeller and Oladipo (which won't happen) is top 10-15 with Sheehey back, Yogi back, Perea back, Hollowell,  all else and the class coming in! I totally disagree with that last statement...with the recruiting Tom and staff has done...PU will struggle for a long time to come and Painter knows this!  My friends that are PU fans see it and readily admit it...

Purdue has a freshman point guard averaging 10 points, 3.3 assists, and 4 rebounds. Lewis Jackson last season averaged near identical numbers, yet Ronnie Johnson is just a freshman. Terone and Hammons each have a good chance to become first team-all conference next season. Purdue will be, at the least, close to receiving raking votes next season. This is a rebuilding season.

Maybe you guys are right but the rebuilding statement is so over used.  Now in a situation when you are cleaned out like IU...now that is rebuilding but if Painter and staff had done their job you would not be in this situation to begin with. 

This is classic overreaction to a game that got out of hand.  Every other Big Ten game, Purdue has been in it for at the first 25-30 minutes (Michigan and MSU) or brought it close at the end (OSU).  Shit**** we lead Michigan for over half the game.  This was an IU team who took it to us, we panicked, and it ended up way more lopsided as a result.  It's not some harbringer of things to come.  It must be fun to have such a rollercoaster of evaluation though.  We suck, we rock, we suck...must be tiring though.

The state of Indiana has produced some of the best talent in the B1G: Burke, Thomas, Harris, Dawson, Hammons, Robinson III, Farrell, etc. Purdue, historically, isn't getting the huge recruites. Hammons was not highly recruited, but traditionally Purdue thrives off of off the radar recruits like him. With that, you get players like Carroll, Marcius, and Lawson who don't become that productive player intended. Also, keep in mind that Purdue lost two potential senior starters in Barlow and a healthy Hart. We lost more than just Hummel and Jackson from last season. At 11-10, Purdue must win their remaining games against Iowa, Northwestern, and Penn State to have a realistic chance to get a .500 conference record, which going 9-9 in the B1G would be quite a feat for a team rebuilding.

... You must realize Purdue is only losing DJ Byrd after this season. Purdue will have a solid, yet young starting lineup next season. We will have shooting guards fighting for starts, along with a possible All-American center. Painter is a good coach and is doing quite well without a Zeller, RobinsonIII, or Gary Harris.

Painter is an above average coach but that is all I will continue to give him. He did recruit poorly for a number of years and that is what has left us high and dry right now. The freshman are good and will get better but Painter has no control over them right now - that needs to change and quickly for next year to show improvement.

Keys to our success - and I do believe this team has the talent to be Top 25 nexy year -

1. Hammons needs to play better D AND stay out of foul trouble. I still see him staying at least thee years. He is far from fully developed which may be the scariest thing about him.

2. Ronnie Johnson needs to play point guard. Don't brag about him scoring 10 points a game. That is only happening because of the pure volume of shots he is taking. When he goes 1 for 9 in a game that;s like adding 5 turnovers to his total. He needs to calm down and learn his role.

3. Painter seems to play games with Lawson, Hale and Davis. There are games where they just seem to have been told not to shoot. These guys need to start shooting. Any game where Raphael Davis does not shoot more than five times is simply a waste. Same for Hale. Ronnie needs to get these guys the ball.

4. Anthony Johnson should get less playing time and next year with TH, RJ, Davis and the two freshman I can't see him playing much at all. I have seen him have a good game but there have been more bad than good.

5. I thought the D was improving and then we had this game. I am with others - this game simply just does not count. IU is an order of magnitude better than us right now. We were young and overwhelmed.



I do not believe Matt Painter is on the hot seat yet -- but he could be if next year is a struggle.

Ronnie has improved his field goal percentage since he has taken less threes and progressed his ability to consistently get to the rim. I am just saying, how good will his numbers/contributions be in a few years!

Purdue likely only loses Byrd, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be loads better. It's these players that have them at 11-10. They will improve, but how much? In this day and age the better players out there aren't seniors, and there are some kids sitting on the bench on some of these good teams that may be better than these Purdue freshman. After Hulls and Watford's freshman year IU had nearly everyone back, there wasn't all that much improvement though. Now obviously this Purdue team is better than the IU team of '10-'11, I'm just saying returning players doesn't guarantee anything. I look at guys like Watford and Hulls and really don't see any difference than who they were when they were sophomores. On the other side, Oladipo has blossomed into a great player and possible future lottery pick, i don't think anybody expected that. You just never know.

We've seen our fair share of guys stall out and guys blossom.  Ryne Smith relative to his freshman and sophomore year was much better his junior senior years (not lights out, but contributed).  Hummel and Moore were so good their freshman year they only got slightly better over their careers.  JJ obviously got 10x better from his freshman year, but you could see the potential.  Then there's a guy like Kramer who was pretty much the same guy his whole career, same with Keaton Grant imo.  You never know, but I see a lot of potential in Davis, Hammons, and Ronnie.  If Ronnie and Davis work on shooting.  Ronnie work on decision making.  Hammons work on defense.  The whole team work on post feeds.  We'll be much better off.

This Hoosier is cheering for you...good luck guys!!!

Hdawg, that was after IU was cleaned out and Creeek was hurt...of course that next year was not that much better...unfair to say that.  Other than that...good points...

Also, Hulls and wat are completely different players all around than they were 3 years ago...just saying..in defense, scoring/driving ability, reading defenses, leadership, shot seleection, etc...bad point as well!!!

We just disagree there. They have both improved on the wide open 3 point shot, that's all I'll say. Hulls is the same kid except now he can't make free throws. He's still solid for 11 points and 3 assists, just like his sophomore year. He's still an all out hustler, but a liability sometimes because of his size. He can hit the long ball better now though like i said. I expected more out of Watford. He's not physical, and way too inconsistent. I'm not saying they suck because they are good players, just to me the same players as 2 years ago. This team turned around when Zeller arrived, Oladipo improved, and depth was built.

#1... Hulls has gotten better every year... just because his numbers don't show great improvement, doesn't mean he hasnt improved... just thought i get that out first because I'm about to RANT!

If you think for a second, that Painter's job is in any sort of jepordy... your high! REALLY HIGH!

lets not loose our perspective here guys... it's only one EFFIN game! we got smoked... big time! but it only counts a 1 loss, that's it...

next years recruiting class is gonna be a good one! Baz Smotherman is back on track after a down junior year, Kendall Stephens is REALLY good, right now, and would probably start on our team this year... and Bryson Scott,,, ROCK SOLID!   i like each one of these guys alot... AND they're all great shooters!


This is an opinion (please keep this in mind)... a couple years ago when we lost Hummel... the first time... we were on our way to the final four,... I dont think your gonna find too many people to argue with that.... but when robbie went down, we had i player over 6-5 that was worth his weight... thats it!   I think that had a huge impact on painter and how he has recruited...
Next year we are gonna have the horses to run with IU... THEY WONT BE READY YET!!! but we'll have them on our team for the first time in years...

Hammons- 7'
Jay Simpson 6-9
Raphal Davis 6-5
Donnie Hale 6-8
Jacob Lawson 6-7
Baz Smotherman 6-6
Kendall Stephens 6-5
... thats a lot of height, size, athletic ability, and talent... and we've been lacking that reciently... someone said it earlier, we have, and have had too many guards for the B1G...

Painter isn't rebuilding... he's transforming!




As for IU... they're good, REALLY GOOD! I believe they are loosing either Zeller or VO... not both... but i think one is likely.They'll be just fine without either one honestly though... Vonleh is SICK... he's gonna be great...........For 1 year! he's one and done for sure (barring any major injury)...
What I'm interested in seeing though... is IU in 2014-2015... without VO, Sheehey, Zeller, and Vonleh...

My opinion is that Indiana's freshman are as good as Purdue's, they just aren't needed because of other players. You're looking 2 years down the road, nobody knows who will be on either roster. I imagine Crean is planning in having students try out to fill those roster spots, as he's proven he can't recruit. He can get the guys everybody wants (Zeller), the guys under the radar (Oladipo), and takes chances others aren't willing to take (D-Wade). As for the Robbie Hummel injuries, sure Purdue would have been a serious final 4 contender, but it's March Madness, nobody can say "we would have made a final 4". Chances are less than 50%.

I'm not predicting anything 2 years down the road.... I'm just interested to see it.... that's all

AGAIN...this is OPINION... 2010 Boilers were final 4 bound..... chances much higher than 50%

I felt bad for the 2010 Boilers...as a true IU fan I was ok with that kid taking Purdue in for a title!  When you say you wonder how IU will be in 2 years w/o Oladipo and Zeller and company...have you not seen this #3 ranked class coming in and the recruits for the follwoing year?  I am not worried a bit.  I think Purdue will be much stronger next year...defense is what is killing them and that killed us the last 2 years so it can be fixed!  I just don't think Painter is going to get it done with recruiting when you look at other Big 10 schools and the fact that Butler and even ND are doing so well in-state.  I remember back around the time I graduated in the late 90's or early 2000's and there were 7 teams from Indiana in the Big Dance...things are better when we are all good. 

Thanks jpault, but I'll say offense is a much bigger issue right now than our defense.

maybe you are right...I have only watched 2 games but you have kids that can score the ball.  Anyway, good luck the rest of the way!

The outcome was not close to anybody's expectations. IU used the last 10 minutes as straight up practice. This turned out to be the worst home win for Purdue in the 199 game series... If not their worst loss ever in Mackey. Where was Terone? Byrd? Defense? For the fact Purdue shot 40% from the floor it's hard to believe they lost by 37! IU is elite. Purdue is not a 4-4 B1G record team, but simply just the 11-10 overall team. NIT boundedat most, Purdue still has many chances to get a few more upset wins. Hammons was officially awakened. He became the first freshman to score 30 in a game since Glenn Robinson and averages 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game... as a freshman.