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defenses and create space for the 7-footer. Why will this year be different? Well, time will tell whether it will. But Stephens' addition might be an impactful one. He's coming off shoulder surgery, but comes to the Boilermakers as one of the finest shooters in his class nationally. Carter's known for his shooting also. Purdue will hope individual improvement leads to collective improvement, too. Terone Johnson, who shot a respectable 36 percent last season, and Ronnie Johnson, who was 6-of-36 for the season, put a great deal of time into their shooting this offseason and will obviously hope it pays off. DEPTH SKILL This goes hand in hand with shooting, but one thing is very clear going into this season and those to come: Painter is absolutely committed to his lineups not being short on players who pass, make decisions and especially shoot. After trying some more traditionally sized lineups last season, expect Painter to lean back toward skill at the 4 (i.e. "power" forward) position — something that would seem to favor Peck's chances of playing a prominent role — and to almost overcompensate on recruiting shooting in the years to come. BIGS MUST PLAY THAT WAY Hammons and Simpson, by every account, have all talent and physical Painter often lamented last seagifts they need to be outstanding son a lack of options off his bench players, maybe even successful proto turn to when starters were strugfessionals. gling. Their demeanors, though, have Now, coaches believe they have left much to be desired, though both it. Tom Campbell The Boilermakers appear to have Unlike last year, Purdue looks to not have to rely so much on Ronnie say they have matured considerably last season. made a net gain from transactions Johnson as it now has additional options in the backcourt. It's the effort of the two post playthis spring, when three players left competitive rookie will concede miners that might be the single biggest the program and Peck and Carter factor that can take Purdue from losing joined the three freshmen in this year's utes to no one, even as a freshman. The past few seasons, Purdue hasn't team to winning team, average team to crop of newcomers. The fiery Scott's addition might be played up to the standards the program good team, or good team to great team. And it will the job of Painter and particularly valuable; it was point guard set in prior years on defense. The edge Scott's demeanor could help foster new assistant coach Brandon Brantley where Purdue needed another viable to bring it out of them. j option most last season. And the hyper- might be a step in the right direction. 2013-14 PURDUE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DateOpponent Time Oct. 30 INDIANAPOLIS (ex.) 7 p.m. Nov. 4 WAYNE STATE (ex.) 7 p.m. Nov. 8 NORTHERN KENTUCKY 7 p.m. Nov. 13 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 7 p.m. Nov. 17 RIDER 7 p.m. Nov. 20 EASTERN ILLINOIS 7 p.m. Nov. 24 SIENA* Noon Nov. 28 vs. Oklahoma State*# Noon Nov. 29 vs. Butler/Washington State*# TBA Dec. 1 vs. TBA*# TBA Dec. 4 BOSTON COLLEGE! 9 p.m. Dec. 7 EASTERN MICHIGAN 2 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Butler& 6 p.m. Dec. 17 MARYLAND-EAST SHORE 7 p.m. Dec. 22 at West Virginia 1 p.m. Dec. 31 OHIO STATE 1 p.m. Jan. 5 at Minnesota TBA Jan. 12 NEBRASKA TBA Jan. 15 at Illinois 9 p.m. Jan. 18 PENN STATE 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at Northwestern 9 p.m. Jan. 25 WISCONSIN 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at Michigan 9 p.m. Feb. 2 at Penn State 11:30 a.m. Feb. 5 MINNESOTA 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Ohio State 6 p.m. Feb. 15 INDIANA 4 p.m. Feb. 20 MICHIGAN STATE 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Nebraska TBA Feb. 26 MICHIGAN 7 p.m. March 1 at Iowa TBA March 5 at Wisconsin 9 p.m. March 8 NORTHWESTERN TBA March 13-16 Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis) * Old Spice Classic game # Old Spice Classic game — Orlando, Fla. ! Big Ten/ACC Challenge & Crossroads Classic — Indianapolis GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 5 • 36