Basketball.... on the basketball court?

Since basketball on grass season is nearing an end, that must mean that it's time for basketball on the basketball court season to begin. Sadly, that no longer means loving shots of a greased up comb over and a zombie wife that loves to tan. It could -- could -- however mean some actual quality basketball. That remains to be seen.

Long story short, here's the summary of the scouting report from Blue Ribbon on our Matt Waddell wannabes.

BACKCOURT: C+
BENCH/DEPTH: B+
FRONTCOURT: B
INTANGIBLES: C

Purdue will be much improved over its last two seasons, but it still has major questions that need to be addressed. So many players return, but injuries and suspensions kept them from playing together at the same time last season. Painter will have to tinker with lineup combinations and the Boilermakers will have to find their own chemistry.

There's also the matter of winning on the road. The Boilermakers went 0-12 last season in games away from Mackey Arena. Winning road games will be a sure sign the program has turned the corner.

Painter can point to other tangible signs of progress. He purposely limited his scholarships to 11 this season because he thought 2007 was a rich crop. The Boilermakers already have four commitments all ranked in the Top 100 for one of their best recruiting classes ever.

Valparaiso High teammates Scott Martin and Robbie Hummel joined East Chicago Central's E'twaun Moore and Franklin Central's JaJuan Johnson in committing to Purdue.

The fact each newcomer is native Hoosier is a bonus certain to stoke their rivals down the road in Bloomington.