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basketball: news and notes vertime Mags Set Low Expectations BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com probably have Asexpected couldseason,been following Purdue's losing 2012-13 the Boilermakers are projected by a handful of preseason preview magazines for a bottom-half finish in the Big Ten. The high end of the spectrum is the sixth-place league finish predicted by USA Today in its preview magazine. Lindy's and Sporting News each put Purdue eighth. In Lindy's positional rankings, which break down the top 25 players nationally at every position, A.J. Hammons is the only Boilermaker mentioned, coming in at No. 14 among centers. The 7-footer is also tabbed as a preseason third-team All-Big Ten pick. In the Big Ten, USA Today ranks Michigan State No. 2 nationally, joined in its preseason top 25 by Ohio State (12), Indiana (23) and Iowa (24). ee's family history with Purdue. The Sporting News rankings put Michigan State second nationally behind Kentucky, followed in the rankings by Big Ten peers Michigan (7), Ohio State (11), Wisconsin (14), Iowa (23) and Indiana (25). Lindy's rates the Big Ten as college basketball's second-best conference, ranking Michigan State No. 1 nationally and Ohio State sixth. It puts Michigan 10th, Iowa 17th and Indiana 20th. SIMPSON FULLY HEALTHY Tom Campbell Preseason magazines say that Terone Johnson's senior season will find the Boilermakers in the middle of the Big Ten pack. The magazine's credibility about Purdue, though, takes a bit of a hit in its recruiting review, when it credits the Boilermakers for being able to "steal … Kendall Stephens out of neighboring Illinois," clearly unaware of the sign- After redshirting due to the lingering effects of the broken foot he suffered last spring, Boilermaker redshirt freshman forward Jay Simpson said he is completely recovered. "About a month or two after the season was over," Simpson said, "that's when I'd say I was at 100 percent." Simpson played in 10 games before being pulled back to seek a redshirt, which the NCAA granted following the season. "I would not have been happy with my season (had I kept playing)," Simpson said. "I would have been very disappointed. I am just thankful, man. 'It's a blessing that I got the redshirt. I can now start off like I would have liked to last year." BIG MEN LIKE BRANTLEY 2013-14 PURDUE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DateOpponent Time Oct. 30 INDIANAPOLIS (ex.) 7 p.m. Nov. 4 WAYNE STATE (ex.) 7 p.m. Nov. 8 NORTHERN KENTUCKY 7 p.m. Nov. 13 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 7 p.m. Nov. 17 RIDER 7 p.m. Nov. 20 EASTERN ILLINOIS 7 p.m. Nov. 24 SIENA* Noon Nov. 28 vs. Oklahoma State*# Noon Nov. 29 vs. Butler/Washington State*# TBA Dec. 1 vs. TBA*# TBA Dec. 4 BOSTON COLLEGE! 9 p.m. Dec. 7 EASTERN MICHIGAN 2 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Butler& 6 p.m. Dec. 17 MARYLAND-EAST SHORE 7 p.m. Dec. 22 at West Virginia 1 p.m. Dec. 31 OHIO STATE 1 p.m. Jan. 5 at Minnesota TBA Jan. 12 NEBRASKA TBA Jan. 15 at Illinois 9 p.m. Jan. 18 PENN STATE 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at Northwestern 9 p.m. Jan. 25 WISCONSIN 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at Michigan 9 p.m. Feb. 2 at Penn State 11:30 a.m. Feb. 5 MINNESOTA 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Ohio State 6 p.m. Feb. 15 INDIANA 4 p.m. Feb. 20 MICHIGAN STATE 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Nebraska TBA Feb. 26 MICHIGAN 7 p.m. March 1 at Iowa TBA March 5 at Wisconsin 9 p.m. March 8 NORTHWESTERN TBA March 13-16 Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis) Upon his hiring, new Boilermaker assistant coach Brandon Brantley began coaching Purdue's big men during fall workouts. Those players have appreciated his efforts. "He keeps pushing us every day," center A.J. Hammons said. "Like when we get tired and want to put our hands on our head, he tells us to keep going, keep going, go hard and give me the best you have got." Simpson said Brantley's impact so far has gone beyond the playing floor. "He's been a mentor for me on and off * Old Spice Classic game the court," Simpson said. # Old Spice Classic game — Orlando, Fla. Challenge "He's given me life ad- ! Big Ten/ACC Classic — Indianapolis & Crossroads vice, and of course basketball advice, but the guys. He knows what he's talking most important thing are the life about since he played 10 years skills he's teaching. professionally and he played here. "I'm thankful for Coach Brant- I'm glad Coach Painter hired him." ley. He'll be a big help for the big j GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 4 • 35