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Tom Campbell With ample toughness and determination, freshman Bryson Scott will provide intangbiles for the Boilermakers. probably protest all that vehemently. Purdue's play would best do its talking. Last season, it was hardly recognizable. As if it weren't bad enough to see Purdue appear so helpless at times from the three-point arc — it can't get any worse than the 0-of-17 it put up in a home loss to Xavier — the shooting woes again filtered to the foul line, where it shot just 65 percent. For a team that'll look inside for points, along with a number of physical guards adept at drawing contact in the lane in Terone Johnson, Davis and Scott, a repeat of that number will cost Purdue wins this season to come. Likewise, the Boilermakers simply have to fare better in the turnover column, where it's been their staple to both take care of the basketball and take away the basketball. Last f season, Purdue forced fewer turnovers than any of Painter's previous teams and finished an almost unthinkable last in the Big Ten in turnover margin, not all that long after it led the nation in that category. It's just one of a plethora of things that have to turn around for Purdue itself to reverse course, areas where improvement is expected and should be expected as a product of both experience and this off-season's roster transactions. Last season went awry from the outset, with Purdue squandering away several victories early and not handling difficult times well. "We're going to find out about ourselves when adversity hits," Painter said. "I made some mistakes last year and took some things for granted." The good news for the Boilermakers is that the schedule is set up for early success. Purdue's non-conference slate isn't soft by any means, highlighted by a meeting in Orlando with top-10-caliber Oklahoma State; a home game against a solid Boston College team; and another visit to West Virginia. But the Boilermakers, on paper, look like they'll get a chance to ease into their most difficult games, unlike last season. But prior to the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, the Boilermakers will face five opponents they should be heavy favorites against, setting them up for early success. It will be early in the season that Purdue will have a chance to prove that the book has been closed on 2012-13 and this season to come BURNING QUESTIONS Will Purdue conduct itself like an experienced, mature basketball team? It didn't last season, virtually all across the board. Now, with returning players seasoned and the addition of a couple 20-something-year-old seniors, Purdue has reason to expect better. Can Purdue get back to the defensive identity that's been MIA for about two-and-a-half seasons now? It's been too easy to score and pass against the Boilermakers lately, something they will obviously want to change now with what they think is a deeper, more athletic, more aggressive roster. Can the Boilermakers shoot? It was painful to watch last season, whether it was their struggles from three-point range or the foul line. It should be better this season, both due to individual improvement among returnees and some key additions. If it's not, life is going to be more difficult for Purdue's interior scoring threats. How much have A.J. Hammons and Jay Simpson really figured things out? The two big men came to Purdue last season needing to mature and develop more urgency. They're looking the part and saying all the right things now, but have to show it when it matters most. Who got better and how much? Matt Painter lamented throughout last season the need for "12-month" players who'd put in the necessary work during the offseason and season alike. Did this group get the message? Time to find out. — Brian Neubert IllustrateD volume 24, issue 2 15