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IllustrateD volume 25, issue 1 65 f ter from an offensive standpoint to be efficient, just put- ting so many guys out there who can shoot and then we may need to be able to change things up defensively. I think it makes a lot of sense, but we'll see." HAMMONS STRIVES FOR CONSISTENCY After opting to return to Purdue for his junior sea- son following giving brief consideration of a jump to the NBA, Hammons says he knows he has room for consid- erable improvement. First and foremost, he says: Consistency. "I have to play well every night," Hammons said. "I always want to give my best and I'm not saying I'm not giving my best, but I have to give the best I have and do everything right with the things I have to do on the court." Painter said immediately after last season ended that Hammons' next step as a player would have to be help- ing Purdue win more games. That's his intention. "Just to win," Hammons said of his goal for next sea- son. "I just want a winning record, personally. Win the Big Ten, but if we don't win the Big Ten, at least make the NCAAs and do well there." STEPHENS GETTING BETTER Buoyed not only by experience gained as a freshman, but also the health he hasn't enjoyed since he was a high school junior, Stephens is the player on Purdue's roster with the best chance to make the biggest jump this year. After missing last summer due to the after-effects of shoulder surgery, the shooting guard may have done just that. "The biggest thing for me is I've started to get my wind up, my legs under me, and that just allows me to do more things on the court," Stephens said. "(It allows me) to take contact better, come off screens, battle on the boards more, just to be able to impact the game in more ways than I was able to last year." Despite being limited all of last summer, then playing through a troublesome groin injury during the season, the three-point specialist did enough to earn a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team. Now, the hope is for much more. "Mentally was the biggest jump for me as well as physically," the shooting guard said. "I've been able to have more confidence in myself, not having this injury. I'm mentally stronger, knowing more of what to expect and able to take myself to another gear. With that comes the physical improvement, which of course helps out, too, on the court." LEADERSHIP NEEDED The freshmen have been lauded for their leadership potential but there can be little doubt that Purdue will need its few older players to be strong presences as well. Owens said Hammons' consistent effort during the summer was a positive and that Davis, Purdue's lone re- turning captain, seems eager to step into a more prom- inent leadership role. "Rapheal's been through a lot and a lot of guys re- spect him," Owens said. "He's someone who can't have a bad day. It's one of those days where leadership can't have a day off." j K R A N N E R T L E A D E R S H I P S P E A K E R S S E R I E S FAILUR E I S N O T A N OPTION T H U R S D A Y 9 . 2 5 .1 4 6:30 PM PMU BALLROOMS WWW.KRANNERT.PURDUE.EDU/EVENTS/LSS GENE KRANZ MORE INFORMATION/TICKETS: LOU UNDERWOOD, 765-494-0901 OR KRANNERTEVENTS@PURDUE.EDU EA/EOU S P O N S O R S B R O N Z E G O L D S I LV E R Karl and Kathy Krapek The Gadomski Foundation