Big Ten Team Preview: Purdue Boilermakers

By Ryan Bramwell

Breakdown:

• 2011-2012 Record: 22-13 (10-8)
• Postseason: Sweet 16 (Loss v. Kansas)
• Coach: Matt Painter (8^th year)

Situation:

• Gone: Robbie Hummell, Lewis Jackson, Ryne Smith, Kelsey Barlow (Dismissed)
• Back: D.J. Byrd, Terone Johnson
• New:  AJ Hammons, Ronnie Johnson, Raphael Davis

Returning Numbers:

• MIN – 45.6%
• PTS –  40.3%
• 3PM – 36.3%
• REB – 52.2%
• AST – 36.4%

Returning Leaders:

• MPG – T.Johnson (23.7), Byrd (19.5), Carroll (17.1)
• PPG – T.Johnson (9.2), Byrd (8.9), A.Johnson (5.4)
• RPG –T.Johnson (3.4), Carroll (2.9), Byrd (2.3)

Key Players:

• Terone Johnson
• D.J. Byrd
• Travis Carroll
• A.J. Hammons
• Ronnie Johnson
• Raphael Davis

Keys to Success:

• The leadership of Terone Johnson and D.J. Byrd
• The interior play from A.J. Hammons and Travis Carroll; Donnie Hale and Jacob Lawson will play vital roles for Purdue’s frontcourt and depth as well
• The incoming class:
• Raphael Davis (6’5”/200/SG/4-Star)
• A.J. Hammons (7’0”/280/C/4-Star)
• Ronnie Johnson (5’10”/160/PG/4-Star)
• Jay Simpson (6’9”/235/PF/3-Star)

 Projected Starters:

• PG – Ronnie Johnson
• SG – Terone Johnson
• SF – D.J. Byrd
• PF – Travis Carroll
• C – A.J. Hammons

 Blue Ribbon Grades:

• Backcourt: B
• Frontcourt: B-
• Bench/Depth: B-
• Intangibles: B-

 

Preview Links:

• Inside the Hall
• Black ShoeDiaries
• Blue Ribbonat ESPN
• BleacherReport
• Rant Sports

ESPN Team Page:

• Boilermakers Basketball

My Prediction:

• 8-10, 9th Place