Purdue Deserves Their Share of Praise

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The flashy, and most secure choice to grab a National Championship remains the undefeated, and untested Duke Blue Devils.

The next best thing is the Ohio State Buckeyes, who continue to impress with POY candidate Jared Sullinger, and are off to their best start since '05-06.

You'll also hear names such as Kansas, Syracuse, Pitt, but many fail to acknowledge the (12-1) Purdue Boilermakers.

Before the season, Purdue was arguably one of the best teams in the nation returning JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, and Robbie Hummel for a National Championship run.

During the first practice of the season, Hummel went up and immediately knew that he had re-torn his ACL and would soon be sidelined for the season.

Last season, without Hummel, the Boilermakers were able to sneak past both Siena, and Texas A&M before losing to the eventual National Champion Duke Blue Devils.

This season, head coach Matt Painter has his Boilermakers winning, while continuing to be one of the best in the nation without their best player.

Johnson, and Moore have been everything to Purdue. Collectively, the two account for more than 50 percent of the Boilermakers scoring.

That might sound like trouble, but no team has been able to slow down Johnson or Moore as they scored in double-figures in every game this season.

Purdue's only blemish came against the Richmond Spiders (10-3), who managed to overwhelm the Boilermakers on the glass with a 44-35 advantage. Richmond also scored 35 of its 65 points in the paint, as well as 11 coming off second chances.

Purdue hasn't allowed that to happen again, which is one of the reasons why the Boilermakers are riding a seven game win streak.

Purdue opened Big Ten play with a rout of Michigan 80-57, and will look to continue dominance in the Big Ten against Northwestern New Years Eve.

This Purdue team has problem, as does every team, but more positives than anything. The Boilermakers have established themselves as one of the top teams in the nation, and could compete for a Big Ten title against formidable teams like Ohio State, Michigan State, and Minnesota.

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Robbie Hummel Re-tears ACL, Purdue Out of the National Championship Talks?

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last season, the Purdue Boilermakers were having a successful February and were looking to continue their success through March. JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, and Robbie Hummel collectively had Purdue looking forward to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

However, on February 24th, 2010 during a game played against Minnesota Purdue's star Hummel tore his ACL. He would soon know that he would be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

The No.1 seed was out of sight, but the Boilermakers were granted a No. 4 seed in the tournament.

Purdue advanced two games beating Siena, and Texas A&M before losing to the eventual National Champion Duke Blue Devils 70-57.

Purdue had a lot to look forward to with Johnson, Moore and Hummel all returning for the 2010-11 season.

During the first practice following Midnight Madness Purdue's forward Hummel was diagnosed with a torn ACL, the same ACL he tore this February, and will be sidelined for the 2010-11' season.

Purdue was selected by many to possibly make a run at the national championship with three star players returning. However, with Hummel, and Chris Kramer absent this upcoming season Purdue will have a lot of soul searching to do.

Without Hummel last year, the Boilermakers didn't look in-sync. Purdue stars Johnson, and Moore had to do it all and did not get much help down the stretch. The Boilermakers were 5-3 over the eight game stretch Hummel was sidelined.

However, if you mix in the loss of Hummel this season Purdue has lost two key contributors from last years squad. Kramer was known for his toughness, and was considered the defensive leader for the Boilermakers.

However, he graduated last summer. Hummel was diagnosed with an ACL injury. Keaton Miles also graduated. Leaving Moore, and Johnson as the only significant players on the Boilermakers roster.

Without Hummel the Boilermakers do not have their leader, a playmaker, and star.

A day before this happened, Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo selected Purdue to win the National Championship. However, without Hummel that almost seems out of the picture.

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