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m e n ��� s b a s k e t b a l l f e a t u r e : a . j . h a m m o n s Big Difference Hammons��� presence has changed everything for Purdue BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com .J. had no idea what to ATheHammons he gotmanPurdue. the expect when to freshman big knew college game would be vastly different than any level of basketball he���d experienced and he knew the Boilermakers returned both their centers from last season, while always holding the option of playing without a center on the floor. ���I really didn���t know what was going to happen,��� Hammons said. Make no mistake: Purdue had questions, too. It was well known that there were never questions about the big man���s ability, and certainly not about his size. But Matt Painter knew Hammons��� conditioning and work ethic would ultimately determine how successful he���d be. Well, 18 games into Hammons��� freshman season, it���s fair to say that virtually every question that Hammons may have had ��� or Purdue may have had about him ��� is all but answered. When taking everything into account, Hammons might already be the Boilermakers��� most important player. enormous importance. But it���s just that Hammons is, well ��� enormous. A 7-foot, 270-some-pounder with the wing span of a condor and feet and hands that belie his stature, Hammons has afforded Purdue an instant-impact presence at both ends of the floor and a game-changer in so many phases. ���I���ve surprised myself a lot,��� Hammons says plainly. Last year, Purdue played for threes on offense, playing small-ball to generate almost all of its scoring from the perimeter, whether it be via the jump shot or dribble. Because of Hammons, it���s playing entirely the opposite. Hammering the ball inside is often Option No. 1. When it���s not, Purdue���s guards will use Hammons��� towering frame and startling dexterity in the pick-and-roll game. ���Getting the ball in to him on the inside has really opened things up for Tom Campbell all our guards,��� Byrd said, ���whether it���s Center A.J. Hammons has shown flashes of dominance as just a for shooting or getting Terone, Ronfreshman this season, surprising even himself. nie or (Anthony Johnson) in the lane. That���s no knock on veterans like He���s added that variety to our offense.��� Terone Johnson or D.J. Byrd or fellow rookie Ronnie Johnson, all of whom are of Hammons is Purdue���s third-leading scorer. The center averages 10.3 points in just 23 minutes per game. He���s been efficient in shooting 51.4 percent. The freshman���s back-to-the-basket post-up game is surprisingly developed for a player his age and he can be a force rolling to the rim. I���ve got service, yes I do ... Trent B Johnson, Agent 249 E State Street West Lafayette, IN 47906 Bus: 765-743-9595 trentismyagent.com P097275.2 And I am ready to prove it. Call me for your insurance needs and see how it feels to be on a #1 team. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.�� CALL ME TODAY. State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL GoldanDBlack express ��� volume 23, express 18��� ������ 10