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PROJECTED PURDUE LINEUP STARTERS G Ronnie Johnson: After playing through his freshman inconsistencies last season, the Boilermaker point guard should be profoundly improved this season simply based on experience. A summer spent working on his jump shot and strength probably won't hurt, either. Johnson will score, but Purdue needs him to take a step as a facilitator, decision-maker and leader. G Terone Johnson: Purdue's top returning scorer and probably still its top perimeter defender, the senior should be positioned to improve on his third-team All-Big Ten season of a year ago. As important, though, will be the veteran's leadership. G Rapheal Davis: After spending a good portion of his freshman season playing the "power" forward role for Purdue to spark its offense, Davis could move to more of a wing role now. His ability to get to the basket and the passion he plays with will guarantee him big minutes, no matter the position. C A.J. Hammons: After a sometimes-brilliant, sometimes-puzzling freshman season, the 7-footer might merely be improved consistency and some other minor tweaks away from being a dominant sort of player. He's already the Big Ten's top shot-blocker and could be its best low-post scorer and one of its best rebounders. F Errick Peck: The fifth-year newcomer hopes to give the Boilermaker frontcourt energy and versatility, probably mostly at the 4 position, as Purdue goes back to its model of playing a more skilled forward alongside its center. RESERVES F/C Jay Simpson: He has to continue to prove it, but Simpson could be on the verge of being an impact player coming out of his redshirt season. Physically, he has come a long way and he seems — seems — to have grasped the urgency needed to play at this level. If the skilled big man maxes out his potential, he can be excellent. F/C Travis Carroll: With Hammons and Simpson in the post, the senior will settle into a matchup-based, as-needed role, but his tenacity and intelligence can be valuable commodities, whether he's playing center or the forward spot. Carroll seems to be relishing his role, too, as the guy who pushes Hammons and Simpson in practice when they need a nudge. F Basil Smotherman: It remains to be seen how much the freshman will play this season, but what is obvious is that at the very least, he'll make the Boilermakers more versatile 10 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 2 and athletic in the frontcourt. He can be a weapon running the floor in transition and can make an open shot, but in the short term, if he defends and rebounds, he'll play at both forward positions. F Neal Beshears: Obviously, the walk-on upperclassman's path to the floor is a difficult one, particularly with Peck, Smotherman, Simpson and possibly Davis all being options at the 4, Beshears' most logical spot. Helps to have his presence in practice, though, and at this point, he does bring experience, which most of Purdue's other forwards don't. G Bryson Scott: More than anything, Scott's demeanor alone is a game-changer for Purdue. The hyper-competitive guard will bring a different sort of edge to the Boilermakers. Additionally, the highly regarded recruit and prolific high school scorer has the makings of an outstanding defensive player and dangerous scorer off the dribble, wherever he may line up in the backcourt. He must pick his spots wisely as a jump-shooter, though. G Kendall Stephens: Purdue's best shooter from Day 1, the freshman comes to West Lafayette as one of the finest perimeter threats in his class nationally. Stephens will have to become more physical and, more importantly, stay healthy, but he's a big-time shooter who's well-schooled in the nuances of moving without the ball, finding holes in defenses and generating open shots. Purdue will need him to take every reasonably open shot he gets. G Sterling Carter: The senior newcomer is known as a shot-maker. That's helpful, but just as much so might be the defense he intends to play for the Boilermakers, as he'll be one of several guards Purdue throws at opposing ball-handlers as part of its full-court pressuring style. G Anfernee Brown: The freshman walk-on guard comes to Purdue from East Chicago Central, the same high school that sent E'Twaun Moore to West Lafayette years ago. G Stephen Toyra: Purdue projects to have more functional depth in its backcourt this season, but if he's needed to play, the walk-on's proven capable of contributing. He gave Purdue solid minutes in a win at Penn State last year. G Jon McKeeman: After spending most of last season as a practice player, the guard from Fort Wayne got a uniform late in the season. Purdue has more guards than it did last season, so practice-floor competition should take care of itself, but it's always nice to have numbers. — Brian Neubert f