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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No Respect: Top POY Candidates You Hear Nothing About

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Every year, an established player that returned is usually nabbed as a Preseason All-American, or placed in some elite group heading into the season.

Then, there are the freshman that are coming on strong, and usually get looks as a possible player of the year candidate. Or, some athletes that were lurking in the shadows have come out ready to showcase their skills.

That is a consistent theme in college, and we witness it year-in and year-out.

This year, you can make a case for Jared Sullinger from Ohio State as a POY contender, or freshman Kyrie Irving from Duke.

How about established players like Derrick Williams from Arizona, or Jimmer Fredette from BYU.

You have players like Tyler Honneycutt, and Kemba Walker having coming out seasons, which steals the spotlight away from other contenders that don't get enough attention.

Here is my selection of players who aren't getting enough love as a POY candidate:

Purdue Boilermakers (8-1) - JaJuan Johnson 6'10'' 220 lbs F
Purdue's JaJuan Johnson has been in double-figures in every game they've played this year. He has also racked up four double-digit rebound games, which translates into four double-doubles on the season.

Johnson has career totals in points with 17.6, rebounds with 8.1, blocks with 2.4 and assist with 1.2 per game.

Johnson led his team over Virginia Tech in OT, and continues to be impressive on the offense end. Johnson certainly has the caliber to become a POY recipient, if he can continue to attack the glass, and keep Purdue in the winning column, I think you'll hear more from him.

Washington State Cougars (6-1) - Klay Thompson 6'6'' 200 lbs G
Nobody expects a Naismith winner to come out of the Pac-10, at least while the conference is in turmoil. But, Klay Thompson is putting up some eye-popping numbers, as well as, leading this Cougars attack.

Thompson currently averages 21.6 points, five assist, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. I haven't seen numbers similar to that since Evan Turner.

With impressive performances to help the Cougars keep things interesting against Kansas State, and to watch Thompson come away with 24 points, six assist, and six rebounds, to go along with seven steals against Gonzaga, Thompson deserves to be in the conversation.

Kentucky Wildcats (6-2) - Terrence Jones 6'9'' 245 lbs F
Terrence Jones is the only freshman from the power six conferences to average a double-double. Jones currently averages 20 points, and pulls down 10.5 boards per game.

Interesting fact, Kentucky's freshman star Jones played less than thirty minutes in both losses this season because of foul trouble.

However, with Jones on the court for 30-plus minutes Kentucky is (6-0). Jones is such a freak of nature, and has the physical gifts of a second-level Lamar Odom. If Jones can continue to put Kentucky in position to win, he shouldn't be absent when talking about POY candidates.

Illinois Fighting Illini (9-1) - Demetri McCamey 6'3'' 200 lbs G
The Illinois Fighting Illini have taken care of business this season against Maryland, Gonzaga, and UNC.

Demetri McCamey, their senior leader, has stepped up big time for the Fighting Illini. He has become a better decision-making guard, which is one of the reasons why the Illini has one loss. McCamey isn't taking bad shots, or throwing the ball away on key possessions; for the most part.

This year, you're seeing a better decision-making McCamey, which will translate well in March. Everyone understands how beneficial point guard play is to a team, and the Illini possesses that with McCamey.

Pittsburgh Panthers (10-0) - Brad Wanamaker 6'4'' 210 G
Brad Wanamaker has the Panthers off to their best start since Pittsburgh was heartbroken later in the season on a last second layup by Scottie Reynolds.

This season, Wanamaker has been the most consistent player on the team. He averages 12.8 points, 5.7 assist, and 5.3 rebounds. This is all coming in 26.8 minutes of play, meaning his stats could rise with more playing time.

Wanamaker means a lot to this Pitt team, if he continues to stay consistent with his contributions, as well as keeping the Panthers in the winning column, Wanamaker can make a case for a Naismith award.

Kansas State Wildcats (8-1) - Jacob Pullen 6'0'' 200 G
Jacob Pullen was an early Preseason All-American, and should have been in the talks as of now. However, after turning in a four point, four turnover night, Pullen has dropped out of the talks.

However, Pullen is still averaging 16 points, four assist, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. Not to mention, he has three 20-plus games, and high assist nights.

Nonetheless, if Pullen wants to join the POY talks again, he has to step up on the big stage. He showed poise against Virginia Tech, and Gonzaga but not against Duke. He has to step his game up big time during conference play.

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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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