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last year. I know all the spots on defense. "I will be ready." Painter expects to play small to benefit his team's ability to take care of the ball on offense and pressure it on defense. But while he believes Simpson's most ideal matchup lies at center, he will likely play at times, against certain matchups, alongside Hammons, giving Purdue an option to go with a twin-tower sort of look, though it remains to be seen just how viable such lineups will be, especially on defense, where Simpson would have to show he's capable of guarding out on the perimeter. Last season, Painter turned midseason to small lineups as his team's offense labored and struggled to take care of the ball. And because Davis crow-barred himself into the lineup with his effort. As a freshman, Davis, primarily a guard, albeit a big one, played most often at the 4 position, the "power" forward spot. "I think what he was able to do for us last year and what he's continued to build on is he's allowed us to have somebody that you can trust," Painter said. "He plays hard f and works hard and bigs and how to move your feet and puts in time on his things like that. I feel like I can maygame. He's the type be not overpower people, but strongof guy who's always arm them." been successful at Last year, newcomers had to play Purdue. for Purdue, largely because they "We're going to were either more talented than reput him wherever. turnees or came in at positions of I don't know what glaring need. spot he will play This year, newcomers will have to and, to be honest play again, if for no other reason but with you, I don't re- there are just so many of them. ally even care." "I believe we can pick right up," It stands to rea- Terone Johnson said of adjusting son, though, to suggest Davis could again to a largely different roster. play more in a wing's role, as Peck "We fit together this summer pretty and Smotherman, along with Simp- well. During workouts and now into son, would seem to all be in line to practice, there's been pretty good factor in heavily in the 4's role. continuity. It's just going to be about One place or another, however, getting those guys to do their jobs Davis will play. on a nightly basis and knowing what A lot. your job is." "This year I can be a better leadPainter says he's treating this er on and off the court," Davis said. team like an experienced one and "My defense has gotten a lot better pushing it accordingly. as well as my perimeter jump shot. But half these guys weren't even I've been putting a lot of time on get- here in the spring. ting my shot down so when people Peck and Carter will each have do try to double team (Hammons) he opportunities to contribute procan kick the ball out and I can knock foundly in their one and only seadown shots. I think I'm just going to son as Boilermakers. be more of an all-around player and Peck, a 6-6 forward whose career help lead the team to victories." at Cornell ran its course, expects to And when Davis does play on the wing, he says he'll do so with the mentality of a player who often had to battle physically with much bigger, much stronger players last season. "I just know I have to stay physical," he said. "Now when I guard a smaller guy, I can muscle him and take away his Tom Campbell athleticism by muscling him Travis Carroll looks to provide a physical presout at his hips. I know more ence inside for the Boilermakers, in addition techniques from guarding to a high level of senior leadership. IllustrateD volume 24, issue 2 11