Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/592932
34 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED thing, because we haven't. We have gotten it back on track and now we've got to build off it. That wasn't our goal. Our goal was to go in the right direction after we got some things figured out. "We had some additions and subtractions to our roster and you're only as good as your product and our product is our players. I think we have some real- ly dedicated, mature guys on our team and we have to show that. We have to put our best foot forward and play hard, but also act like we have some sense off the court. I think we've done that, but knock on wood, when you're dealing with 19-22-year-olds, things can happen any night of the week. So I feel bad for coach- es across America and within our state when things happen because I've been in their position. I've been there. You're dealing with young guys you're trying to educate and help and they've got to go out and make good decisions. I know that the fewer distrac- tions and the fewer issues, it's a lot easier to win those games Wednesday and Saturday night." Gold and Black: You ever been around a ros- ter and/or culture that transformed as quickly as this one did? Painter: "No. But I think some things have hap- pened because of the guys who have stayed." Gold and Black: And that's a credit to your re- turning seniors. Painter: "Yes. I think A.J. got a lot of the blame. That's his first step if he's ever going to be a coach because he got a lot of the blame. He doesn't give off who he really is. He just doesn't. I think last year he gave off more of that where fans were able to see that Tom Campbell Painter likes the Boilermakers' defensive potential, and with good reason. Purdue has big man A.J. Hammons guarding the paint — and he's more in tune to defensive assignments these days, Painter points out — and Rapheal Davis, the Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Year, on the wing.