Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/405025
ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 9 f but Purdue seems to genuinely believe that the sub- stantial overhaul of its roster — six new players have arrived; only five scholarship-recruited players return — has brought about a group more in line with the "Purdue fit" that Painter, and other Boilermaker coaches regard- less of sport, often talk about. Painter's banking on it. Aside from a fleeting glimpse here and there, the product on the floor has been virtually unrecognizable relative to what was seen prior. And it's actually had little to do with raw ability. "It wasn't talent," Davis said. "It was culture, attitude, pride." That, and basketball sense. After leading college basketball in turnover ratio three 2014-15 PURDUE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Nov. 2 CALIFORNIA (PA.) (ex.) (BTN Plus) 2 p.m. Nov. 7 CARROLL (MONT.) (ex.) (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Nov. 14 SAMFORD (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. Nov. 16 IUPUI (BTN) 3 p.m. Nov. 20 GRAMBLING STATE (BTN Plus) 7 p.m. EA Sports Maui Invitational Nov. 24 vs. Kansas State (ESPN2) 2:30 p.m. Nov. 25 vs. Arizona/Missouri (ESPN/ESPN2) TBA Nov. 26 vs. TBA (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU) TBA Big Ten/ACC Challenge Dec. 2 NORTH CAROLINA STATE (ESPN2/ESPNU) 9 p.m. Dec. 6 NORTH FLORIDA (BTN PLUS) 2 p.m. Dec. 8 IPFW (ESPNU) 7 p.m. Dec. 10 ARKANSAS STATE (ESPNU) 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at Vanderbilt (SEC Network) 9 p.m. Crossroads Classic Dec. 20 vs. Notre Dame (BTN) 5:15 p.m. Dec. 22 GARDNER-WEBB (BTN Plus) 6:00 p.m. Dec. 31 MINNESOTA (BTN) TBA Jan. 3 MICHIGAN (BTN) 2:15 p.m. Jan. 7 at Wisconsin (BTN) 7 p.m. Jan. 10 MARYLAND (BTN) 2:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Penn State (ESPNU) 1 p.m. Jan. 21 at Illinois (BTN) 9 p.m. Jan. 24 IOWA (BTN) Noon Jan. 28 INDIANA (BTN) 9 p.m. Jan. 31 at Northwestern (ESPNU) 6 p.m. Feb. 4 OHIO STATE (BTN) 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Minnesota (BTN) 3 p.m. Feb. 12 at Rutgers (ESPNU) 7 p.m. Feb. 15 NEBRASKA (BTN) 5:15 p.m. Feb. 19 at Indiana (ESPN/ESPN2) 7 p.m. Feb. 26 RUTGERS (ESPNU) 9 p.m. March 1 at Ohio State (CBS/BTN) TBA March 4 at Michigan State (BTN) 8 p.m. March 7 ILLINOIS (BTN) 4:30 p.m. March 11-15 Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis) BURNING QUESTIONS Where's the leadership? This team is young as young can be, with just one returning senior, only two scholarship-recruited juniors returning and six new players. If the freshmen are already the most mature players on the team and the best leaders, then good for them, not so good for Purdue. Does zone actually work? Good for Purdue try- ing something different, but different's only good if it works and zone is every bit as much about discipline, communication and teamwork as man-to-man is and none of those things have been pillars of consistency for the Boilermakers lately. Does everybody grow up real quick? Not just the five freshmen, but with the roster being the way it is, Purdue may need its sophomores to act like juniors, its juniors to carry themselves like seniors and so forth. In terms of maturation, the onus is really on the sopho- mores. Perhaps you've heard by now: Purdue needs A.J. Hammons to be consistent, to impact every game he plays in and give the Boilermakers an advantage in ev- ery game. Is he ready? Why do we limit this to only five questions? We could list like 50. —Brian Neubert Tom Campbell Freshman Jacquil Taylor will provide depth to Purdue's inside game, but how much he plays from the get-go remains to be seen.