Purdue Boilermakers - #9 Big Ten college basketball power rankings

Purdue

Coach: Matt Painter (7 seasons at Purdue) Overall 185-82, 8 years

2011-12: Record 22-13 overall, 10-8 in Big 10 (6th)

Starters Returning (2) Terone Johnson, Travis Carroll

Preseason Tournament: 2K Sports Classic

Top Non-Conference Games: at Clemson, vs. Notre Dame, vs. West Virginia

Transfer Out: Kelsey Barlow, John Hart (IUPIU)

Sat Out: Donnie Hale (redshirt)

Finally, the Robbie Hummel is over at Purdue. The Boilermakers lose 3 of their 4 scorers from last season. One thing is for sure though Matt Painter will have his team right in the mix in the Big Ten again because he always get the most out of his players. Purdue has made the NCAA tournament in six straight seasons. While, Purdue does loss a lot of key players they bring in a very talented recruiting class

The Boilermakers will have two talented brothers playing together in their backcourt. Older brother Terone Johnson (9.2 ppg) has already proven himself. He does a little bit of everything for Purdue; he needs to work on his three point shooting. He was their best player in the Big Ten and NCAA tournament averaging 15.5 points. His brother freshman Ronnie Johnson will be running the point. In Purdue’s foreign trip he had 15 assists in one game. Providing depth for Purdue will be Anthony Johnson(5.4 ppg) and highly touted freshman Raphael Davis. Anthony Johnson is not related to the other Johnsons. Dru Anthrop and Stephen Toyra will also provide depth here.

Leading Purdue in the frontcourt will be small forward D.J. Byrd (8.9 ppg). Byrd is most effective as a three point; he shot 43 % from three last season. He also played the power forward position last season. The question for this team will be the production out of their frontcourt. Look for Travis Carroll (2.6 ppg) and Sandi Marcius (1.6 ppg) to start. Marcius problem is staying healthy but he did finish last season starting for Purdue. Carroll is more of a pick and pop big man. The Boilermakers have ton of depth here led by redshirt freshman Donnie Hale and Jacob Lawson (2.4 ppg). Hale brings athleticism to the Purdue frontline. Look for two very talented freshman to push for playing time in center A.J. Hammons and power forward Jay Simpson.

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