Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/132171
f r o m e d i t o r b r i a n n e u b e r t hoping for better ell, that Wleast from thekinda sucked. At per- spectives of Purdue's two highest-profile sports, football and men's basketball, the 2012-13 year was one the two sports would probably just as soon wipe from their collective consciousness. Starting with hoops, the more recent of the two, you saw the Boilermakers take a distinct step backward in a season in which reloading, not rebuilding, was the goal. It was painful, a season marred by inexperience, immaturity, inconsistency and a roster that just wasn't quite good enough, a harrowing Big Ten schedule only compounding matters. Football's experiences were different, but no less trying. Brutal inconsistency led to the inevitable firing of former coach Danny Hope as Purdue got its doors blown off by most of the higher-caliber Big Ten opponents it faced, only to make the season even more maddening by nearly beating national runner-up Notre Dame and unbeaten Ohio State on the road. Some solace could have been taken from a three-game win streak to close the regular season had the Boilermakers, under interim leadership, been able to play Oklahoma State within 40 in the bowl game in Dallas. They could not. So, yeah, Purdue's two flagships sunk these past 12 months. But that is not to say there is not reason to believe there are brighter days ahead. Matt Painter has talent to work with. There is no questioning that. Purdue was not the most talented team in basketball last season by any stretch of the imagination, but it was talented enough to win, and will be even more so next season. Painter's way works. His success at Purdue has shown that. However, the 2013 campaign will be the tell-tale as to whether it works with this particular group. Painter won big with Robbie Hummel, E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, in part because of the way those guys were wired. Can Terone Johnson, Ronnie Johnson and A.J. Hammons fit the template? We will soon find out, but if things go sideways, you might be looking at the consummate unstoppable force/immovable object situation. The expectation in this one person's opinion here is for experience to make a profound difference among those returning and for the pains of last season to resonate and affect next season for the better. But that's giving the benefit of the doubt to a team that didn't do much to earn it a year ago, so we'll see. But the pieces are in place for a swift and much-needed turnaround. Every season is important, but this one is absolutely crucial for Purdue basketball. In football, thus far, Darrell Hazell, Hope's successor, has seemed to do all the right things so far in terms of repairing the program's tattered foundation, one that's needed more than just a fresh coat of paint. In no way, shape or form were discipline, accountability and other such intangibles strengths of the past regime and it directly impacted the product on the field. That product became objectionable enough to drive fans out of Ross-Ade Stadium, even if things, on paper, may not have appeared all that bad, with Purdue making back-to-back cosmetic bowl appearances the past two seasons. Hazell's job now is a more challenging one than some may realize and the schedule is not set up for immediate success, though I would never put a ceiling on what the Boilermakers can do in a year where so much remains unknown. So we'll see, on both fronts. It's a new beginning of sorts for both of Purdue's most important programs, situations in which there's reasons for optimism but so much unknown. One thing is clear: Purdue needs this year to be better than the last. j Neubert can be contacted at BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com WorldWide acceptance. rewards you want most. at home and on the road, the official purdue Visa® is the best way to pay. shop at millions of places worldwide and watch your rewards add up fast. redeem points for 1% cash back, merchandise or a cash contribution to the John purdue club. Fixed rate. no annual fee. Free rewards. request your purdue Visa today.* 765.497.3328 // 800.627.3328 // purduefed.com *Subject to credit approval. No annual fee. Balance transfers and cash advances not eligible for rewards points. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 30 • 8