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tions where it's been particularly important for it to play with composure. It's managed to make winning plays at key times at the end of difficult wins over Northern Kentucky, Siena, Rider and Eastern Michigan. But it faded in the second half against Butler, came apart at the seams after halftime against Washington State and allowed Oklahoma State to run away and hide in that game's opening minutes by taking poor shots and turning the ball over against a top-five opponent. Purdue has a wealth of perimeter players well equipped to score now, but they haven't always shown the cohesion and patience the Boilermakers would need to be their most functional. 2013-14 PURDUE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DateOpponent Oct. 30 INDIANAPOLIS (ex.) (BTND) Nov. 4 WAYNE STATE (ex.) (BTND) Nov. 8 NORTHERN KENTUCKY (ESPN3) Nov. 13 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT (BTND) Nov. 17 RIDER (BTN) Nov. 20 EASTERN ILLINOIS (BTND) Time/Result W, 80-73 W, 91-58 W, 77-76 W,. 109-73 W, 81-77 W, 83-55 Old Spice Classic Nov. 24 SIENA* (BTN) Nov. 28 vs. No. 5 Oklahoma State^ (ESPN2) Nov. 29 vs. Washington State^ (ESPNU) Dec. 1 vs. Siena^ (ESPN3) W, 81-73 L, 87-97 L, 54-69 W, 68-63 Big Ten/ACC Challenge Dec. 4 BOSTON COLLEGE (ESPN2) W, 88-67 Dec. 7 W, 69-64 EASTERN MICHIGAN (ESPN3) Crossroads Classic Dec. 14 vs. Butler& (BTN) L, 70-76 Dec. 17 MARYLAND-EASTERN SHORE (ESPN3) W, 79-50 Dec. 22 at West Virginia (ESPNU) 1 p.m. Dec. 31 OHIO STATE (ESPN2) 1 p.m. Jan. 5 at Minnesota (BTN) TBA Jan. 12 NEBRASKA (BTN) TBA Jan. 15 at Illinois (BTN) 9 p.m. Jan. 18 PENN STATE (ESPNU) 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at Northwestern (BTN) 9 p.m. Jan. 25 WISCONSIN (BTN) 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at Michigan (ESPN2) 9 p.m. Feb. 2 at Penn State (BTN) 11:30 a.m. Feb. 5 MINNESOTA (BTN) 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Ohio State (BTN) 6 p.m. Feb. 15 INDIANA (ESPN2) 4 p.m. Feb. 20 MICHIGAN STATE (ESPN2) 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Nebraska (TBA) TBA Feb. 26 MICHIGAN (BTN) 7 p.m. March 1/2 at Iowa (TBA) TBA March 5 at Wisconsin (BTN) 9 p.m. March 8/9 NORTHWESTERN (TBA) TBA March 13-16 Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis) first full seasons, counting redshirt freshman Jay Simpson, and as of mid-December, it still looked like the Boilermakers were figuring out rotations and roles. Painter used five different starting fives — although disciplinary matters did have something to do with it — through 12 games with 10 players still averaging at least 13 minutes per game, which may or may not be sustainable longterm. There has been some uneven-ness for some players adjusting to new roles. Coming off the bench after starting last season, sophomore Rapheal Davis, for example, has been uncharacteristically unproductive this season, shooting just 37 percent and having a four-turnover game against Butler. And it's been a challenge for Purdue to find a rhythm with its best lineups when its most influential player, Hammons, is unable to stay on the floor. DEFENSE Purdue's downward trajectory as a defensive-minded program has seeped into this season, as the Boilermakers are allowing the sec— West Lafayette ond-most points per game of any Big * Old Spice Classic — Orlando, Fla. ^ Old Spice Classic Ten team (71.8), fouled too much & Bankers Life Fieldhouse — Indianapolis and given up far too many easy basWHAT NOW? kets, something that's contributed to Purdue seemed to be trending upthe Boilermakers struggling to halt opponents' runs. ward in wins over Boston College and Eastern Michigan, Purdue has not contained the dribble well and certain- however close the latter got at the end. But Butler exly has been adversely affected by center A.J. Hammons' posed some remaining apparent flaws, composure and continued foul trouble. He's averaging less than 20 min- mental toughness among the intangibles. utes per game. But this is a new group and Purdue's had new groups before that didn't hit their stride until around midseason. CONTINUITY This team has shown flashes. Purdue is breaking in six players who are in their But it has not shown consistency. j f IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3 59