Purdue's 2009-2010 basketball season launches this evening. This season marks thirty years since the last time Purdue was in the Final Four, something many IU fans would throw in our faces if they could count to thirty.
There's not much else to say. You've seen previews everywhere. We've linked to many of them. We've contributed to some of them. And at this point, like in any highly anticipated season, it's all talked out. It's time to hit the floor and see how badly they want it. Tonight's opponent, Cal State Northridge, is kind of immaterial. Not that we shouldn't respect them, but the season is about so much more than that.
It's no longer a hope to get through the non-conference with a respectable record. It's no longer hoping for an above-.500 record in the Big Ten. It's no longer about hoping to make the NCAA tourney. Or about hoping for better than a middling seed. No, ladies and gents, this year it's about so much more.
We often try to keep our expectations tempered around here. We try to be realistic, which is just another way to say we try not to get our hopes and dreams crushed. Maybe it was Kyle Orton's fumble or Duke not letting Gene Keady get to the Final Four. I don't know. But somewhere along the way, talking about the Final Four became something off in dreamland... far away, and viewed as unreachable.
That is no longer the case. Sure, there are many teams that could take Purdue down. But these are the guys we're heading into the battle with and I know that I am pretty happy with the heart of this crew and their leader.
Last year, we thought right away that the preseason top ten talk was a bit premature. This team was a year away, we thought. Well, that "year away" is here now. And it's impossible not to be amped.
The future is bright, as we've discussed. Matt Painter is building a program and has the potential to build it higher in his first ten years on the job that the godfather, Coach Keady, did in nearly three times that. And so one of the best parts of this season coming up is that it's not an all-or-nothing kind of year. Yes, we want big things. No, the program doesn't take a step back if those big things aren't accomplished. That's good news. That's progress. That's how you build a perennial powerhouse.
So get ready for a fun ride. We're going to be freaked at times, when they suffer one of their weird, stinker losses. And we're going to be flying high at times, when they make us proud. Overall, though, this season has the potential to be one of the best experiences many of us have had as Boilermakers. Enjoy every minute of it.
Choo-choo!
12 comments:
"something many IU fans would throw in our faces if they could count to thirty."
haha!
Last year I thought our expectations were a bit too high and there might be a sophomore slump. I think we might be a year early with the Final 4 talk. i think a regular season Big Ten title is possible this year, but a Final 4 will be tough. If they do make it to Indy though, that place will be painted black and gold. It will be amazing.
I get goosebumps thinking about Purdue playing in the Final Four in the Luke.
I know I would be one of many thousand Boilermakers that would be inside that stadium, one way or another.
I have tickets to the Final Four... waiting for my Boilers to meet me there. Going up tonight for the b-ball game, staying over to hang at Harry's, then on to see the other Boilers take the next step to a bowl game! Great time to be a Boiler fan, I almost can't contain my excitement. I predict, despite the top 10 ranking, that all the attention being paid to MSU and other schools will benefit the Boilers just enough for a slide into the Big 10 regular season title (maybe a tie) and then a disappointing loss in the Big Ten tourney. That will be motivation enough for the final push to the Final Four! Can't wait for the ride I am sure this season will provide!
April 3rd, 2010. Hammer & Rails/Boiled Sports party in Indy?
I am saving the weekend as "open" The Mrs. wanted our annual Florida spring trip that weekend. I vetoed until later in the month because I would die having to watch the Final Four down there.
Only if it's a pants party.
B-gal -- no appreciation for the Kramer photo? He's scrambling to get to you!
The air of excitement that is Purdue Basketball reaches even here to the Gulf shores of Houston.
Boiler Up Y'all!!!
The... party. With the... with the pants. Party with pants?
Believe me- I noticed... I thought my lust might get a bit old if I comment every time. Plus, I get to see my man in person tonight and hopefully spot some Wiggs tomorrow!
anyone have a channel for the game? I live in Houston and IU-Howard is on BTN. My desire to watch ESPN360.com on a Friday night is slim. Ahthanku.
Wow, Jay Westfall and Christopher, I'm in Houston, too.
You guys are probably in the same building as me. Ha.
No, we have no other option but ESPN360. I have done some searching and I have DirecTV so I get to look at those ESPN overflow ("ESPN alternate") channels just sitting there empty.
I have a 22 inch home computer monitor, but that just means the streaming game will be more pixelated. Yay! Hard to believe we're a top ten program, huh?
If you guys find a bar in H-town showing it, I'll meet you there.
I flip to ESPN.com to check the score. Click on NCAAB:
CSN 14
7 PUR 43
I like that little 7 there. I also like the late first-half score. If we are going to be a Final Four-quality team, we need to blow out the teams that aren't supposed to challenge us, more often than not.
I think there's a practical limit to expectations ... think about the number of teams this year that may have Final Four talent (including the other good Indiana team to the south - you know, Butler). It may feel better prior to the season if you are at the top of the group rather than the bottom, but if you're in that group of four at the end of the season, most of the time, there isn't much to separate you from the other three.
Oh my goodness that would be awesome. But as noted, it's even better if we're in a position where a good season without a Final Four appearance is not as much of a disappointment because we'd still have a chance next season.
Don't get me wrong, it would still suck. I still remember the Elite Eight losses and the end of the season for the other good teams (1988, for example). But if we can come right back and contend next season, that will ease the pain.
And, of course, if the season doesn't end until April ...
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