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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 2 17 best in the nation. Whatever switch flipped for him midseason last year transformed him from coach-killing enigma to the foundation a win- ning team could be built around. He certainly wasn't the lone reason for Purdue's about-face last season, but without his own, the team's couldn't have been possible. Isaac Haas, meanwhile, exceeded all expectations as a freshman. The towering center and mammoth phys- ical presence actually beat Hammons out for a starting position while the upperclassman was struggling in non-conference play. As a rookie, Haas affected every game he played in simply with his dimensions, but proved to be so much more than just a physical outlier. Hammons and Haas gave Purdue the recruiting pitch it needed to land Swanigan, who chose the Boil- ermakers over pretty much everyone in the country, most notably Michi- gan State, Duke and Kentucky. Because of the two centers' pres- ence, Painter could offer the 6-foot- 9, 260-some-pound Indiana Mr. Bas- ketball and McDonald's All-American a chance to play power forward in- stead of center, the position he played in high school, AAU and as part of two gold medal-winning USA Basketball teams. Swanigan was arguably the best rebounder in his high school class nationally and one of the most feared low-post scorers. But those obvious attributes often overshadowed the nuance of the big man's game, the passing, offensive skill and know- how that really set him apart from the field. That's what Painter hopes Swan- igan can bring to the 4 position for Purdue, in addition to his imposing physicality and distinct nastiness. Because of his addition, Edwards, a revelation as a stretch 4 last sea- son, expects to spend more of his playing existence on the wing, as Purdue's "small" forward, the com- bination of him and Swanigan pro- jecting to give the Boilermakers a unique blend as bookends. Both are strong rebounders, but also excel- lent frontcourt passers. Edwards, as a freshman "power" forward, hand- ed out more assists last season than any non-guard in program history. Purdue's offense will run through its frontcourt, as it did last season. Last season, the Boilermakers' in- terchangeable duo of Hammons and Haas was Option No. 1 for Purdue in halfcourt offense, and with Swani- gan's addition, he figures to carve out a piece of that action for him- self, though he will face the basket as much as he will back up to it. Because of its concentration of destination players on the interi- or, Painter tweaked his offense last season to run more set plays, as op- Tom Campbell Sophomore P.J. Thompson hopes to team with newcomer Johnny Hill to solidify point guard, the only position where Purdue doesn't return significant starting experience in the program.