As many of you know, yesterday was media day for the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team and maybe it was a good thing that it was sort of lost among the fun of a still-glorious week of football talk. But make no mistake, expectations are higher than high for this group this year.
The quote in the title of this post is from our pal Robbie Hummel, who feels that it's okay that excellence is an expectation now. When you think about the lean years Purdue sports have had at times and how the basketball program often had to claw its way to any modicum of respect, it's actually kind of nice -- though stressful -- to be in a position where you're definitely the hunted.
The goal is clearly the Final Four in Indianapolis and I think that's terrific. Conference title would be great, another Big Ten Tourney title would be nice.... but the goal is now what we all hoped it could be. A shot at the biggest stage in college basketball, and perhaps in all of college athletics.
To hear what some of the guys had to say at media day, see the following links:
Click here to hear Coach Painter’s press conference.
Click here to hear from Keaton Grant.
Click here to hear from Chris Kramer.
Click here to hear from Mark Wohlford.
Click here to hear from Robbie Hummel.
Click here to hear from JaJuan Johnson.
Click here to hear from E’Twaun Moore.
Click here to hear from Ryne Smith.
Click here to hear from John Hart.
12 comments:
Disagree. The goal is clearly a Big Ten regular season title. Painter has said that many times. I also think that its a greater accomplishment to win the regular season conference title than it is to get hot in March and win 4 games.
Ask North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas or Duke if the goal is a regular season conference title.
We haven't been to the Final Four since 1980. During those years, George Mason, Utah and Stanford have all made it to the Final Four.
I love that we've won so many Big Ten championships but I really want more than that now.
Agree with the disagreement from Purdue Matt. We cannot be caught looking ahead. It all needs to start with the Big Ten crown to secure a high seed in March & have a path of least resistance to the FF.
Without the Big Ten title, the road to FF gets a lot harder.
I know that in order to win-out, you have to beat the best teams eventually but with a higher seed, there is a chance the other higher seeds will get knocked out by an upset before you have to play them.
OK, fine--So winning the B10 regular season championship is a stepping stone, but not the final goal. That is the impression I've gotten from the team this offseason, and I like that. Sure, we have won the most Big Ten titles in conference history, but I would trade all of those for 6 national championships to shut up IU fans with their 5. National Championships are clearly the measuring stick for programs here, not conference championships.
I agree with Ryan F. Final Fours are what make an elite program that is able to recruit year in/year out- not conference championships. People would rather play for a Final Four program than one that can't ever win the big games. Big Ten Tourney championship was a step in the right direction last year, but Final Four needs to be the next goal.
If Purdue had won the regular season conference title and then the Big Ten Tourney but the rest played out the same -- Purdue in the Sweet 16, MSU in the Final Four -- which season would YOU have preferred?
Those saying a conference title is "the goal" are setting your expectations too low. Recruits don't care about a regular season Big Ten title -- get real. They care about national exposure, which a tourney run accomplishes.
Also, Matt, you're awfully cavalier...like "getting hot" for four games is easy or something.
Aim high, everyone. Of course a Big Ten title is a nice first step, but it is not -- nor should it be -- the goal.
I want it all. I want regular season and post season excellence. And I want it often. And I think Painter does too. Winning the Big 11 title and then crapping your pants in the first or second round of the tourney leaves a bad taste in the mouth. See the mid-90s post Big Dog.
I've heard you "want it often."
I think we are all on the same page vis-a-vis expectations. Big10 is the goal for now but not the Final goal for the season.
If Purdue doesn't win the conference title, then it means one of two things:
1. Purdue isn't final four caliber.
2. MSU did, and both MSU and Purdue and final four caliber.
Conference title has to the first priority. Not the only goal, but at least the first priority.
Hi,
Good day!
I’m Bianca, working for a casino website. I’m contacting to offer you a proposal about an advertisement in your blog.
You can simply post an article about our website with a keyword which would point to the Url being assigned to you. Another option for your convenience is to insert the text link in one of your existing posts. It depends on your preference.
Apart from that, we will also be giving out a free game which you can customize and place on your own blog to entertain your visitors.
Let me know if you are indeed interested with my offer and kindly indicate your blog for reference.
I’m hoping to hear your favorable feedback and looking forward to do business with you.
Kind Regards,
Bianca Loggins
bianca.loggins123@gmail.com
Post a Comment