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Brian Neubert Minnesota guard J.P. Macura has 20-some offers, including one from Purdue, which he'll visit the weekend of Aug. 24. Painter is making it clear he will never let that happen again if he can help it. He secured much-needed shooting help and more in Mathias, a 6-foot-5 2-guard whose game is far more well-rounded than might be expected of a player viewed as a shooting specialist. Since, Purdue has looked to load up on the perimeter, targeting Bryant McIntosh, J.P. Macura and Ronnie Harrell, as well, along with elite point guard Tyler Ulis, who the Boilermakers did not make the final cut for. McIntosh has been one of the hottest names in the recruiting world after he decommitted from Indiana State at the start of July. Since, the combo guard from state champion Greensburg, Ind., has racked up nearly 20 major offers, including Purdue, which hosted him for an unofficial visit Aug. 1, as soon as the July evaluation period ended. The Boilermakers are a central figure now in the 6-2 85 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 1 scoring guard's pursuit, with Northwestern — which has made him its No. 1 priority for Coach Chris Collins' first signing class — establishing itself as a serious contender also, along with Xavier and others. Among the others who have offered are Marquette, Missouri, West Virginia, Iowa, Creighton and Florida State. Macura is an equally hotly pursued player, though he's been recruited as such for much longer. Purdue offered the 6-5 guard from Lakeland, Minn., in July and will get him on campus for an unofficial visit the weekend of Aug. 24. Minnesota has targeted the in-state prospect, who nearly committed to Butler on an official visit a while back before Brad Stevens left for the Celtics. His offer count is in the 20s, also. Harrell is a 6-7 guard/forward from Denver who's distinctly different from McIntosh and Macura in that he's taller, longer and probably more athletic, more of a wing player than a guard, per se. Arizona State, Kansas State, Washington and Washington State are others who've offered Harrell. Waiting on Edwards: Purdue has long targeted Vince Edwards for its 2014 class and led for the multiskilled Ohio forward from the get-go. It's on the cusp of earning a commitment, as the 6-7 Edwards, according to multiple sources, is leaning overwhelmingly to the Boilermakers, with a Sept. 14 weekend official visit set. The Hammons Factor: Purdue has recruited its 2014 class knowing full well it might be in the market to replace Hammons, the 7-footer likely to consider the NBA after this season if he has the sort of year he's believed to be capable of. So it's imperative the Boilermakers sign a pivot this fall, or in the spring, for fear of being left with few options in the middle next season. It's a wide-open field. Alabama's Isaac Haas, all 7-2, 280 pounds of him, will officially visit the weekend of Aug. 24, the first of his five visits. Canadian Jabari Craig, who's long and athletic but raw physically, is expected to visit also. Gigantic Fort Wayne move-in Steve McElvene, who's 6-11, 280-something pounds and even bigger than listed in practical terms, has been heavily recruited also and is offer-worthy, but must make significant academic progress. Purdue went so far as to comb the junior college f