Here is a link to a recent story on ESPN.com
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14309313/the-floor-teams-needing-show-urgency
I don't necessarily agree with all of the premises, but there are some interesting quotes from CMP about the team, which you might find interesting.
Below is the Purdue excerpt:
In a foggy scene, however, Purdue is one of the previously unsung teams that has emerged. It's a group that's led by one of the nation's most appealing frontcourt trios: Isaac Haas, A.J. Hammons and Caleb Swanigan.
"I think we have the best center in basketball," Matt Painter told ESPN.com, "with the combination of [Haas and Hammons]."
Rapheal Davis, the reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year who has missed the team's past three games with a knee injury, will return this week to a crew that entered Sunday ranked second in KenPom.com's adjusted defensive efficiency ratings. Both Hammons and Davis will graduate after this season.
"There's no question," Painter said, "we have a very good nucleus."
He said he benched Hammons early in the season because he wanted to send a message to the oft-troubled big man that the Boilermakers would go forward without him, if necessary. Too much at stake. A chance to be "special." It worked. Hammons' effort -- 12.8 points, 8.2 rebounds a night -- has been a key factor in Purdue's 8-0 start. The team picked a good year to surge.
But the Boilermakers must keep the mojo going. It's not easy to assemble the group that Painter guides this season, one that offers Purdue an opportunity to complete its best season since the 2009-10 squad reached the Sweet 16.
Here are some of the other schools that need to win big right now:
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14309313/the-floor-teams-needing-show-urgency
I don't necessarily agree with all of the premises, but there are some interesting quotes from CMP about the team, which you might find interesting.
Below is the Purdue excerpt:
In a foggy scene, however, Purdue is one of the previously unsung teams that has emerged. It's a group that's led by one of the nation's most appealing frontcourt trios: Isaac Haas, A.J. Hammons and Caleb Swanigan.
"I think we have the best center in basketball," Matt Painter told ESPN.com, "with the combination of [Haas and Hammons]."
Rapheal Davis, the reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year who has missed the team's past three games with a knee injury, will return this week to a crew that entered Sunday ranked second in KenPom.com's adjusted defensive efficiency ratings. Both Hammons and Davis will graduate after this season.
"There's no question," Painter said, "we have a very good nucleus."
He said he benched Hammons early in the season because he wanted to send a message to the oft-troubled big man that the Boilermakers would go forward without him, if necessary. Too much at stake. A chance to be "special." It worked. Hammons' effort -- 12.8 points, 8.2 rebounds a night -- has been a key factor in Purdue's 8-0 start. The team picked a good year to surge.
But the Boilermakers must keep the mojo going. It's not easy to assemble the group that Painter guides this season, one that offers Purdue an opportunity to complete its best season since the 2009-10 squad reached the Sweet 16.
Here are some of the other schools that need to win big right now:
