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48 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED 48 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED Rapheal Davis 35 6-6 • G • Sr. Breakdown: Purdue's unquestioned leader and the player most responsible for the Boilermakers' transformation behind the scenes, Davis has meant so much to the program, more than anyone could have imagined years ago when he first showed up. He's been a solid player for Purdue offensively and a great one defensively, but his value transcends the playing floor. Projected Role: Davis is Purdue's most important player from an intangible perspective and one who'll play all the minutes he can handle in important games. Caleb Swanigan 50 6-9 • F • Fr. Breakdown: A dominant high school center, Swanigan will play power forward at Purdue, offering him a chance to show off more than just his power. The ultra-physical big man has been a rebounding machine at every level thus far, but is also a strong passer who can shoot the ball some as well. He has changed his body in accordance with his new role, a testament to his almost-unreasonable work ethic. Projected Role: Swanigan was recruited to start at "power" forward for Purdue and you have to figure he will, but he may play center as well in certain situations. Vince Edwards 12 6-8 • F • So. Breakdown: Maybe the player primed to show the most improvement this season, Edwards improved physically and athletically this summer in advance of taking on a new role. He'll play more on the wing this season than he did a year ago and thus must transition into a more guard-like style of play. Projected Role: Edwards could be Purdue's best all- around player and will play a role befitting it. He'll play multiple positions and be on the floor a lot. P.J. Thompson 3 5-10 • G • So. Breakdown: After an up-and-down freshman season in which he played his best at the end of the season, Thompson hopes to reap the benefits now of experience and the comfort and confidence that should come with it, in addition to the significant athletic gains he made during the offseason. Projected Role: Thompson's competing with Johnny Hill to be Purdue's primary point guard. Whether he's a starter or not, he'll play a lot. A.J. Hammons 20 7-0 • C • Sr. Breakdown: One of the top big men and rim-protectors in college basketball, Hammons will aim this season to play the entire year like he did the second half of last season, when Purdue's stark improvement mirrored his new-found consistency. That was no coincidence. Projected Role: Hammons will be Purdue's No. 1 center, its go-to player — or at least one of them — on offense and its most crucial defensive piece. He might be a Big Ten Player-of-the-Year candidate.