I agree with most of what you are saying, but where I disagree is that I expect Hammons to be a "power player" this season, especially on the defensive end of the court. AJ will give Purdue a big advantage at center over all, but a handful, of opponents.SInce my post was the concern of many on here, let me re-post it with some improvements to ensure I am not misunderstood:
I agree with lbode - about keeping our expectations realistic. Not about people getting expectations out of line and getting pissed at the coach. Our expectations need to be realistic. We have a talented team, but we do not have real power players. Most of the talent on the team is of relatively the same level - this is an important point. Our players are about level in capability, and will have roughly the same ceiling. They are good players, and some are good-to-great players. Don't start thinking they are world beaters and Final Four material. Yes, if they play together at a high level of team work, and Swany proves to be the star we think he might be, and they get lucky, very lucky...
Just to temper the thinking, let's just look in the BIG - important paragraph. A number of teams are looking like us, poised for great success this year. Arguably, Maryland has as strong a front court as we do, and probably a better backcourt on paper. Trimble and the Duke transfer could make a tremendous pair. Both UM and IU can claim as talented a back court as we will field, and MSU might have the best balance of front and back court talent as any team in the BIG. When predicting how this team will do, you must recognise the strength of our competition
All that should not take away our enthusiasm for our team, but we need to recognise the challenges they face and be excited we are in position to meet and over come those challenges. - Most important part of my perspective. The BIG is going to be an even fight every night. It won't be like sailing the Bismark into a fleet of wooden sailing ships and blasting away. There will rarely be a one-sided game in the BIG this year. Even the weakest of teams will get a victory or two. The difference between the bottom and the top of the BIG is very slight. I'm just glad we are sitting near the top at the start.
What I am less sure of is whether Swanigan will also be a "power player", but I think that he has a chance to be one.