2008 Purdue Basketball Predictions & Season Preview
Written October 14, 2008 by Luke Knight
The Purdue Boilermakers went 25-9 overall and 15-3 in the Big Ten last season. Purdue’s 9 losses were by an average of 5.3 points and the Boilermakers lost by double digits only once and had five losses by three points or fewer. Coach Matt Painter knows the hype surrounding his team this year, but also knows that they must maintain the motivation and work ethic that contributed to Purdue’s rise last season. Painter is a master motivator, and with the stumbles of last season such as losing in the first round of the Big Ten tournament and failing to make the Sweet 16, he is able to remind his team that they haven’t accomplished anything yet. But the opportunity is now for these guys, as long as they stay humble and don’t start believing that they don’t have to work for it. The bulk of Purdue’s production from last season returns in the form of three All-Big Ten honorees in Robbie Hummel, Chris Kramer, and E’Twaun Moore. Plus the Boilermakers bring in three talented freshmen. The Boilermakers are 40-to-1 to win the national title in 2008.
Purdue plays a 3 or 4 guard lineup, which means they rarely feature a consistent post-up player. The Boilermakers have little frontcourt depth this season, just like last year, which just goes to show how hard to replace Carl Landry is. Robbie Hummel has excellent ball-handling skills and the ability to spread the floor from the perimieter, as he posted a team-best 44.7% from 3-point range. Hummel showed toughness and made big shots as a freshman and should be even better this season. Bosnian senior Nemanja Calasan is the most physical post-player that Purdue has, but many of his post moves are more finesse and less banger. He also likes to step out and shoot from the perimeter. JaJuan Johnson, 6’10” sophomore, is the only true center option. He showed nice athleticism and ability to block shots, but he needs to get bigger and stronger to really be ready to take on the load in the post.
The backcourt is really where Purdue will shine. The Boilermakers feature the finest collection of the Big Ten’s perimeter players. Kramer is a gritty, tough-as-nails player, who is unselfish and defensive-minded. As a freshman, Kramer landed himself on the Big Ten All-Defensive team, and he improved as a sophomore averaged 2.3 steals per game and was the Defensive Player of the Year. Kramer isn’t much of an offensive threat, but he is the team’s leading returner in assists. E’Twaun Moore is a dynamic scorer who can get to the rim off the dribble or make shots from the perimeter with a defender in his face. Moore’s improvement in his shot selection as the season progressed last season makes him more of a threat as he isn’t the only weapon on this team. Point guard Keaton Grant emerged as a 3-point threat last season as a sophomore. His percentage improved from .266 as a freshman to .440 as a sophomore. Senior Marcus Green will provide depth at the guard position. Also look for incoming freshman Lewis Jackson, a pure point guard, and Ryne Smith, a pure shooter, to bolster the guard unit.
Final Analysis
When Purdue is locked in defensively, they are at the top of the Big Ten. The Boilermakers apply suffocating pressure on the perimeter, which ignites fast breaks with steals as well as wears the opposing team down. Purdue had problems late last season with getting beat off the dribble, which caused them to struggle. The Boilermakers have plenty of offensive weapons, plenty of depth, and a lot of unselfish players. This is an improved squad from last season, which should find them competing for the top spot in the Big Ten. BetUS has Purdue at +200 to win the Big Ten Conference this season. We have to agree with the NCAA basketball odds makers on this one since we have Purdue making the NCAA Tournament again this year, and with the offensive firepower this team has, they have the potential to go deeper in the postseason this year.
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