Summer Doldrum Report

At just before noon, I got a text from a pal who told me some big news was about to break from God's country. Minutes later, he or she filled me in on what was transpiring- Patrick Bade was going to go back to the gridiron and play for coach Hope.

It sounded pretty crazy, but a few years ago, the Tight End, Patrick Bade was offered by the, now retired, Vest at aOSU. Who knows, had a few things been different, maybe Bade would have been in Columbus all along and never had the chance to play on the hardwood for Matty. But, Bade followed JJ from Franklin Central up to West Lafayette, and it probably didn't go as he thought it would. But I'm glad he came to Purdue and am looking forward to seeing him play in Ross Ade.

At 6'8", he'll be one of the tallest Boilers playing for Hope (along with Snapp, Foy and Kelly), but he'll be the tallest TE by quite a few inches. My gut tells me that he'll redshirt this season, get a scholly in '12 and move inside to Tackle. But who knows, he might look pretty darned athletic as a TE...Let's not forget how awkward the athletic, big TE, Charles Davis looked playing for Geno a few years ago.

Just in case you're wondering, people close to the situation seem to believe Painter was pretty surprised that Bade decided to leave the team in this manner.

Custodian's Karma

If you watched the Mavs v. Heat game, you saw Purdue fan favorite, Brian Cardinal play a few minutes. Sure, you could focus on the fact that he scored a few less points than Nowitzki, didn't grab as many boards as Chandler and didn't shoot the ball like Terry...but every real basketball fan can see what I see- when Cardinal plays, the Mavs win...and when the Mavs are winning right now, the detestable Heat are losing.

Clearly, Brian Cardinal's ability to defeat evil is only rivaled by the likes of Chuck Norris, Winston Churchill and Space Ghost.

Other Interesting Crap

J gave a good summation of what happened last night in Empty Valley, but there are a couple more subplots and trends that should be watched as the season progresses.

-One of my favorite parts of the game last night was watching Travis Carroll. He played 12 minutes, only finished with 4 points and 3 rebounds. But, he played confidently, made some very smart plays and wasn't a liability. I can eat crow publicly, so let me do it now- I thought Carroll would be third in line behind Bade and Marcius. But his footwork, fundamentally-sound style and basketball I.Q. seem to outweigh his lack of physical strength at this point. The strength will come- he looks young, but won't for long.

-Terone Johnson is another guy that I'm enjoying watch grow up. The benchmark for shooting guards is obviously Smooge. 33 came in, led the team in scoring was calm, cool and under control from his first minutes in the gold and black. TJohn hasn't been that. But, he's clearly working hard at becoming a college basketball player. He looked lost and out of shape back in early December. Now, he looks neither. He's becoming more willing to shoot, he's starting to make some difficult shots and (probably most-importantly, at this point) his defense looks like a Matty-coached guard should look. He'll be one of the guys that fills the void Moore leaves after graduation...but in the meantime, watch this guy grow into his role. Like Smith, we're watching a caterpillar turn into a beautiful, brightly-colored butterfly...Too much??

-If you've visited the site for more than a year, you know that I heart LewJack. I've been driving his bandwagon since before he got injured last year. Many of you scoffed at my belief in this Pocket Hercules, but last night you saw what he's capable of. He's finishing very well and we're starting to see a bit of the swagger that he had back in high school. This guy is the best ball handler Purdue's had at the point since I've watched Purdue. If he can get rid of the underhand pass that he falls back on from time-to-time, he could be All Conference next season.

-We all Know Ryne Smith can shoot. Last year, we'd hear via Twitter and first-hand accounts that Smith simply couldn't miss at times...behind closed doors. But, myth, folklore and legend are also codewords for guys who don't have the lower-intestinal fortitude to be big time. Smith has changed his outlook, listened to his coaches, locked his jaw and made the decision he's not going to be relegated to being solely a practice wizard. My favorite part of his ascension back to the starting line-up is the fact that so many short-sighted Purdue fans called him a waste of scholarship as recently as this season. You all were wrong. You've all gotten amazingly-quite...but the rest of us remember you. Smith has figured out that when you sell out and put all of your effort and heart on the line, even if you're not the best athlete on the court, you can do amazing things...and your team might be able to become something it couldn't without your help. Hats off to this coach's son for sticking with it when his fellow students and others had given up on him!

(note to reader: Let this be a lesson to you- don't give up on Bade)

-The LewJack/Barlow defensive combo is deadly. Lewis takes away the dribble, Kelsey takes away the jumpshot and passing lanes...and both frustrate the hell out of some really good guards. Oh yeah, sprinkle in some Smooge and TJohn, watch out.

-Purdue's composite computer ranking stands at 8.3 after last night's game

Exhibition Notes

Our Boilers will play the University of Indianapolis tonight at the largest construction site on campus at 7:05. Like last year, this one won't be on TV, but can be watched for a fee on the Big Ten Network. If you're up for paying $7.95 for a month of Purdue online action, including both exhibition games, you'll be able to tune in on the lil' screen.

The starting line-up is:

F JJ

F Bade

G Smooge

G Smith

G LewJack

No, we have no nicknames for Bade...hopefully we'll give them each one soon. From what I hear, Smith could be called The Rainman during practice once again this pre-season. Twitter rumors to word-of-mouth legend says Smith has been hitting everything during practice. Bade is picking up the baton that was left when Hummel went down. And his newly-sculpted frame should help him battle a bit and at the very minimum become more of a force on the glass.

I'm glad Smith is getting the start although many of the Purdue faithful aren't fans of the move. What else can you judge a guy by other than what you've seen in practice? Hopefully, he takes advantage of his new role and translates his ability to fill it up in practice to one on the big stage...We'll see.

Barlow will surely be a sixth starter, much like Keaton Grant in previous seasons. He will get the same or more minutes than the starting five, but will give Purdue a different look at multiple positions 1 all the way to 4 (according to Matty).

I think everybody is excited to see Terone Johnson play though...he's big and strong enough out of the box to be able to take some of the beating a BT schedule can deal out and athletic enough as well.

Honored

One of the starters was named to multiple pre-season All-American first teams. Johnson seems to be a guy that deserves to be recognized...but these accolades aren't worth too much. It's not where you are when you start, but where you are when finished, that counts.

In his career, JJ has gotten better each season. I'm sure most of you reading this remember him as the project player on the Baby Boilers four years ago. His slight build didn't help him a whole lot, but as his physique has improved, so has his skillset. Other than consistently post up on offense, he can do everything, when he decides to. I hear he's worked on about everything in his game...the most important part, in my mind, is between the ears and in his chest. If we see his jaw set each game, he'll earn a post-season AA award, most-assuredly.

Snubbed...again

Of course, the quiet man, Smooge isn't on the first team list. I'm almost positive that this will just fuel the fire of a guy who gets better every season...and has been pretty good when he got on campus.

Last year, we saw Moore become a defensive force as he clearly made it a priority to embrace Matty's philosophy of offense creating defense. This year, he understands that Purdue will need him to create even more on the offensive side of the court. I think both he and Byrd will look for their shot more than in '09.

Nothing's Set

Outside of Johnson and Moore, I'm sure we'll see the starting line up change as the pre-conference schedule moves forward. Matty tends to try to experiment well into the season and this year will be no different. As stated above, Barlow will be in the mix. But so will T. Johnson and Byrd...and unlike last season, depth will be something Painter can take advantage of. Look for Purdue's rotation to go 10 deep...at least.

In the wake of what's happened on the football field the last few weeks, I think everybody is excited for tip-off...even for a game that doesn't count.

Away we go...

Getting Stoked waaaaaaay early (basketball look-in)

Articles and eye-witness accounts from campus are consistent: JJ and Ostrich are bigger and stronger and Bade's in much better shape and looks like a college basketball player. Atop that, LewJack says he's at 95%, the Freshman are blending in nicely in pick-up games and Rob's knee hasn't had any major setbacks.

Is it me, or is this not at all the Purdue way?

This off-season for the forces of good has simply been smooth and all-positive...and how refreshing is that? No rumors of transfers, or stupidity coming out via Twitter...just dudes getting better at their trade. And before you say I'm going to jinx something, I don't believe in that garbage...so save your breath.

JJ played against Lamar Odom, Kevin Durant and others in the USA camp. Plus, they found some food that he liked as it's starting to stick a bit. We all know Johnson was a great player last season, but if he has the ability to play in that determined, almost-angry fashion that we've seen from time-to-time with consistency, holy moly are we in for a fun year.

I compared Bade to Steve Scheffler as neither seemed quite ready for college ball when they entered their Purdue careers. You all know how 55's career went, but Bade still has a ton of time left to decide what he's going to be. Sounds like he's following the Schef in becoming more physically-imposing during the dog days of '10. At the same time Marcius is having opportunities to play against international talent and he's been solid. His big body, if nothing else will bolster and toughen Matty's frontcourt.

Finally, looking even further ahead, Donnie Hale has been getting some pub with his non-stop motor and ability to take and knock down shots in transition. Do you think a guy who's nearly 7 feet tall, with long arms and high-energy might fit in in Painter's defense?

So are you worried about not hearing about Smooge's progress? I wouldn't be...and am not. This is his way. He listened to what people in the know think about his game earlier in the summer and I can guarantee you, he's been working. Defense wasn't his strong suit early on in his career in West Lafayette, so he's quietly become one of Purdue's leaders in steals. Last season, everyone wanted to talk about JJ & the Ostrich, but no one talked about 33...so he went out and led the team in scoring and was the most-consistent member of the club. Moore will improve just like his classmates and teammates...and, I don't know if you guys remember this, they were all pretty good to begin with.

Once again, I have a hard time not looking through football season toward the late fall...but first things first, media day is just around the corner. 12:45, Monday, Danny Hope steps to the mic in Chicago. Tune in on BTN if your boss allows it.

Purdue Underdogs Their Way Past Another Lower Seed

Well. Well. Well.

Look at what we have here.

Our Boilermakers, in the Sweet 16, after taking out Texas A&M by two. Four days ago, there were 64 teams in the hunt. 48 have been dismissed. And the Boilers were, as everyone knows, expected to be one of the sure-fire upsets of the first round. Why? Because all anybody knew was that they lost a key player from a team everyone was looking for reasons to doubt all season....and Rob's knee injury was that reason. Every talking head and casual joe felt the same: "Ooooh!! A shiny object! An upset pick!"

Of course, the Boilers are now 6-2 since the moment Rob's knee made like a stalk of celery in the Barn that night, including wins over two teams who, let's be honest, very few outside the loyal Purdue family felt the Boilers could beat. As Travis said over at H&R, "We're still here."

The Game

As for the game itself, well, this is an easy one to break down, because we all saw it with our own eyes. The Boilers played their now-usual, lethargic first half. JJ did not establish himself, Smooge had some shot troubles after hitting his first couple, and both JJ and CK got two quick fouls each. But the thing that troubled me the most about the first half was the fact that the Boilers got to the foul line...wait, let me check my notes... yes, here we go: ZERO fricking times. Zip. A Blutarski-ish 0-for-0. That's...kind of incredible.

At halftime, I spoke with Boilerdowd, and I said that this is our team. How many years have we been saying this? They're a second half team... have been for years. Basically, for Painter's entire tenure. Let's be honest: JJ shut out in the first half, nobody playing particularly well, zero free throws....and only down seven? I'll take it. And I fully expected a charge out of the gate to begin the second half.

Well, LewJack tried to spark that, with a mighty mouse rush to the basket. But then it seemed like A&M was ready for the Purdue onslaught. Yes, if you watch film on the Boilers, you have to know they're a strong second-half team. It's not immediately obvious from their offense -- rather, it's their defense that grinds down opponents into submission. Perhaps A&M was aware of this, as they did indeed look well-prepared. They then went on a 8-2 spurt to make it 40-29. Once it got to double-digits, I was more than a little concerned. The run wasn't coming, it appeared.

And then it did.

A 17-2 blast by the previously dormant Purdue offense made Gminski's first half comment that the hoop on the left side of your TV screen was unfriendly seem prescient. The run was led by several guys -- a true team effort. But Chris Kramer was the spark, running the point at several times during the second half and getting JJ back into form.

It should also not go without mentioning the young guys. Sure, we're all in love with our long-timers, but the kids -- Ryne Smith, DJ Byrd, Patrick Bade -- who had played sparingly all season long were suddenly thrust into major, critical minutes. This will undoubtedly pay HUGE dividends next season... but we were worried about THIS season. And these guys delivered, pretty much never making a single move that made us smack our foreheads. And as young guys without a lot of PT under their belts, that's terrific.

Once the Boilermakers were back in the game -- and back into the lead -- I felt a lot better. Yes, I still paced a bit, yes I still think I might have broken my finger slamming my hand on my sofa arm when Smooge lost the ball at the end of regulation, but I felt better. Why? Because as we've mentioned here at BS before, we like these guys when they're backed into a corner. And when they begin punching their way out of that corner, it seems to go well for them in the end. Their heart often wins out, cheesy as that may be to say.

It's hard to be critical of your team when they make it to the Sweet 16, but let's be clear: they've got A LOT to improve if they want to have a chance of beating Duke. We'll discuss Duke a bit more later but, frankly, it wouldn't matter who they're playing next. They need to get JaJuan Johnson involved early and he needs to take command and attack the basket. Attacking the basket leads to free throws, which is something we need from JJ. He's going to commit fouls -- there's no avoiding that. But he has to make his minutes worthwhile, on both the offensive and defensive ends.

Looking at the box score, what jumps out? Well, besides Chris Kramer leading the team in scoring, how about DJ Byrd pumping in TEN points off the bench, on 4/5 shooting? Clearly, the Boilers aren't close to winning without his assistance. Again, this is huge for next year.

The box score has the rebounding edge to A&M at 40-30, though I saw it closer than that elsewhere. Regardless, we have to come to grips (if you haven't already) with the Boilers being outrebounded without Rob. The critical thing is to not get obscenely outrebounded. And Purdue managed that today.

Oh, and Lewis Jackson shouldn't have more rebounds than JaJuan Johnson.

One more thing on the game itself... EsPN's article seemed to want to suggest that Chris Kramer "ignored" his coach and decided to make the play himself. In reality, according to Painter, the plan was to run a curl for E'Twaun, but if he saw daylight, he was free to take it to the hoop. I'm fine with that call, frankly.

Summing Up

I feel like they just won more than they did. And no, Purdue haters, this isn't because our team sucks or our program isn't used to success. You'd understand better if you'd lived through this program over any number of years, like all of us who convene together online or in bars or in dorm rooms do.

This is a group of guys who we feel as though we've come to know. We haven't, of course, at least not most of us. But we know them because we see their effort, we see their hustle, we see their silly videos. Some of us see them on campus, or on elevators, or in passing in classrooms. We watch their press conferences, and we see something in their eyes. We hear Chris Kramer say before the Siena game that losers make excuses and winners get it done. And we believe him. Because Chris is steel. He's a Boilermaker.

We've watched these guys grow up. From freshmen giving national champ Florida all they could handle in 2007 to now, CK and KG have pulled the oars for four years. JJ, Smooge and the Ostrich have been doing it for three. These guys are family, not to us as much as to each other. And so when Rob went down, well... you know how your heart felt? Imagine if you'd been going to battle with Rob for years. Working hard, towards your goals, pulling on those oars. And now Rob can't pull anymore. It's not easy to recover from.

However, these guys have the talent. Getting past the mental hurdle was the biggest step. Sure, learning how to run the offense without him was, no doubt, critical. But we're talking about a talented team here. These guys are not suddenly untalented without Rob. And we're seeing the whole group grow up...even more. They're tough, they're resolved, they have a controlled anger about them.

They're Boilermakers.