Let's talk about the kids for a a few minutes...

Parents, Grandparents, big brothers and big sisters and even regular baby sitters know what Matt Painter's going through right now...as a Dad of a 7 year old and a 3 year old, I can empathize.

I refer to my daughter on here as TBD (Tiny Boilerdowd)...she's kind of like her Dad- bullheaded, smart-alecky, and she poops her pants regularly.  OK, on some things we're not exactly alike...she also has blonde curly hair; something I can only dream about at this point.

She's growing up way too quickly, on one hand- uses chapstick and says it's lipstick like her Mom's. She can sing a song after hearing it only once...and sings it over and over...even if she's only remembering 1/3 of it. She has theories on everything- most aren't right, all are pretty entertaining. And finally, she can put her snow boots on herself...and doesn't need your help, dammit.

She's smart and clever enough to try to trick people into doing things her way.  And back to the diaper thing, she knows she's had an accident...right after it happened.  We keep reminding her that her Mom, Dad, aunts and uncles, brother, grandparents and even some of her friends don't wear diapers anymore...but she's not getting the finite details- you gotta prepare before something bad happens in order to have success...you have to train, listen and change habits in order to make something second nature.  But sadly for my budget, I'm still buying diapers...and things have clicked just yet.

The good news is there's been progress...signs that she might not be wearing diapers when she goes to her prom in 14 years. But in the meantime, I'm kinda stressed about this whole thing...something I never thought I'd be- worried about someone else's digestive activity.

Here's the deal, Purdue fans: Our Boilers haven't forgotten how to hit layups...and the guys who used to be able to bomb from distance (specifically AJohnson), haven't forgotten how to shoot.  But like a toddler, nothing is coming easily for them right now.  Everything takes too much thought, too much effort and too much work to be fluid.

We've all thought it...maybe even aloud- Why aren't these guys like the Baby Boilers back in '07?

Well, there are some key differences that we can look at- That team had three guys who shared the point guard duties, and did it very well.  They didn't turn the ball over very often and two of them played hard and consistent on-ball defense.  Grant and Kramer really weren't made to be point guards...but they brought the ball up the lion's share of the time because they knew their role...and Crump, off the bench, was a seasoned option...Purdue really has no one on the roster who's as comfortable running the point, in the college game, as any of the three of these guys were back in late '07.

But probably more-importantly than who's running the point, this team is learning NOW how to play with together.

I'm aware that Davis played in prep school with Simpson...but Simpson was struggling through injury and wasn't getting a ton of minutes at the beginning of the season.  Now, of course, Simpson isn't playing at all...and hasn't been for a few games.  I also know that Davis played AAU with Hammons...but, once again, Davis' minutes aren't even in the top-7 being played on the roster...so the on-court chemistry between these two is a non-sequiter.

Conversely, Moore, Hummel and Martin played AAU together...not for a summer...but for years, prior to coming to Purdue.  It's probably not a coincidence that they clicked right away, and all three were starters nearly immediately.  It's tough to remember, but JJ took time to develop...and Calasan averaged more minutes than he did during his first season at Purdue.

We've already said that this situation the program is currently growing through has to be laid at the feet of Painter due to recruiting misses and poor program fits. But, you could also say some of the blame could rest on the shoulders of the two guys who should be leading this team right now- Byrd and TJohn have been inconsistent...something the young guys, and the greater team, really can't afford to be around right now. But both 21 and 0 had the luxury the last few seasons of playing behind and with some of the legends of Purdue's program in the last 20 years (if not all time). A consensus All-American (JJ), and a pair of second-team all-Americans and perennial all-conference guys (Smooge, Hummel), a four-year starting point guard (LewJack) and the highest-percentage 3-point shooter in the program's history (Smith) might shoulder a bit of the load. That type of firepower allowed both Byrd and TJohn to be accessories...not focal points.

Now, they must be the guys as this crop of young players simply doesn't have the continuity or maturity, at least yet, to carry this team.  We saw versus Illinois exactly what happens when The Leatherman and TJohn lead...the other guys can fall into their roles.

A few weeks ago, Purdue fans might have felt about their Boilers' season; how I feel about my daughter's quest to become potty-trained: a bit hopeless...at minimum discouraged.

The effort looked minimal, the results even worse...things seemed pretty bleak...improvement was tough to find.

developing...

But now, this team is showing signs of life- RonJohn had 7 assists and only 2 turnovers today...all while being guarded by one of the most-handsy best defensive guards in the league...he also had more steals than the former B1G defensive player of the year. Hammons is clearly coming into his own...a bit quicker than I thought he would as he's demanding double teams from opposing defenses on nearly every possession.  And Rapheal Davis seems to be earning more and more minutes, in important junctures, as he's proving to be one of the only guys on the team that can create scoring opportunities for himself consistently.

The kids in '07-'08 weren't normal- they came in and were difference-makers and grew up within a few games, it seemed. The kids in '12-'13 have taken a bit longer (regardless of the reason why), but make no mistake, they're developing...and even gelling a bit, as the competition gets better and the stakes become higher.

The problem is, this team has already dug itself a sizable hole.  The good news is, there's a ton of basketball left to be played...regardless of what their record is, come March.

Just like parents need to learn to deal with frustrations as part of the process of child development, we as Purdue fans have no choice but watch the development for what it is: a process.  And while it's far from ideal, in fact, this season has been pretty painful at times, I'm pretty sure this is all going to seem worthwhile this time next year and thereafter.

Don't wish this time away...you might miss something pretty great.

Building Block Boilers

Business took me to the Northeast a few days ago, and as a result, I haven't been able to post. Now, J is on one of his many junkets, so he isn't available to post. We'll back to full strength in the very near future. But, as I have before, let me suggest something again, if you feel like you can't get enough BS- follow us on Twitter and FB- the links, as always, are in the margins. And even when on the road due to work or pleasure, we try to post content at those two places.

One last thing, before we get into the tasty content you're craving, get a Mission Houston shirt if you haven't yet pulled the trigger. They're flying out of the BS warehouse right now...and sizes are starting to run out. Plus, is a top-5 team playing amazing basketball not enough to have you looking at flights to Houston? What we're seeing isn't an idea conjured up by Purdue fans- this team is officially a contender.

BB
Over four years ago, we started this site because we thought it'd be good to use some of our energy about Purdue Sports in a productive manner instead of sending out mass e-mails to our friends and families at the top of each week. When the site began, Lil' Boilerdowd was under a year old...and the infant Boilerdowd wasn't the only little one one the BS staff's collective mind.

I did a search, and found the first time we used the term Baby Boilers was in November of 2007. Painter's team looked thin and needed a ton of help, so JJ, The Ostrich, Smooge and another freshman were forced into significant minutes right away...and they answered the bell. Sure, growing pains like losing to Wofford at Mackey stung, but it was clear by mid-season how special this group of three really was.

Moore wore all-black shoes and black socks while the rest of the team wore white Nikes with a black swoosh. He was poised and skilled, but needed some work on defense. He calmly handled hostile crowds and pressure situations...almost as if he's a machine.

Hummel looked just old enough to drive, could do a lot well, wasn't afraid to shoot, but got in a ton of foul trouble, especially when battling on the glass. But, his combo of length, shooting ability and hustle made him an impossible match-up.

Johnson was lanky and long, very raw, but could leap as well as any big man I had seen in W. La La. And from the very beginning, he seemingly loved getting pushed around in the tunnel by his teammates like a ragdoll.

But these three Baby Boilers quickly lost the name as they earned all-conference honors and the national press began to notice them. Big shots and big wins became something that Purdue fans came to expect from this core group...and these Baby Boilers were simply Badass.

That hasn't changed. This core of three has fought through injuries and adversity and seems to love defying popular opinion or prognostication. Whether the media was picking against this team in an early NCAA tourney game to lose to a media darling or they were picked to finish below Izzo, Ryan and Matta's clubs, this team loves defying the odds...and plays with a chip on their collective shoulder.

Sure, these guys can score...but defense has been their calling card. Skinny JJ turned into one of, if not the premier shot blocker in the nation. Laid back Smooge became an on-ball defender who frustrates some of the best offensive players in the league, game-in, game-out. They've bought into Matty's persona...and this class reflects him as well as he reflects them. After Painter struggled through some players that didn't really have his identity, the class of '07 represented a turning point for him as a recruiter...and a greater pivot for the program.

Boilers to Men

This morning, I caught up on some of the great videos posted by the Paint Crew and others on Youtube that honor this class. These make me nostalgic as I remember all the games that I watched in person, or where I was when they beat Wisconsin back in '08 all the way up to MSU in '11. It's tough for an emotional person like myself not to get a lump in his throat as you think about how much fun this run has been...but I'm quickly tempered when I hear Painter say this, "We're sad to see them go...But we still have a lot of basketball to play."

And just like these players believe in Painter's defensive philosophy...they believe they're not done...not even close- and neither should you and I. So let me take (and distribute) some advice that I read on Twitter and elsewhere: Let's hold on to the rest of our emotion until the season's over...in Houston.

Sure, the ice-cold on-court assassin, E'Twaun Moore couldn't help but be moved to tears by the outpouring of appreciation by the uproarious 14,123 in attendance on Tuesday night...but he gathered himself pretty quickly to finish the job at hand...he knew there was business he had to attend to.

There will be plenty of time to reminisce in April.

One last thing
I love this class because they put Purdue back into the elite of the Big Ten and brought the Boilers back to the national consciousness as a basketball program. But what I really love about this group, this team, is that they're leaving an amazing legacy. The guys that are coming in to campus in their wake are the next piece of puzzle and have a great model to follow...They've won more games than any class in the history of the program...and they've done it with class and were true student athletes. But the best news might be that the future is stunningly-bright, even after these two icons, 25 & 33, ride off into the sunset.

September 1, 2010 Handsome Hour

The Handsome Duo welcomes their pal from H&R to look ahead at the season.

It's prediction time! (Spoiler alert! Grab a bowl.)

The road to joblessness goes through West Lafayette...

The fellows talk of a youth movement...

Put it in Sharpie- It's the Handsome-est Hour on the interweb.

Listen Now!!

Listen to internet radio with Boiled Sports on Blog Talk Radio

Nothing to see here...and other notes

After taking Huggy Bear's boys behind the shed and beating them as if they'd stolen something, Matty's club is still the fourth-best team in America. But, computers aren't as fond of our Boilers as are living beings.

Pomeroy's poll continues to confuse and befuddle by placing the Boilers at seventh place. What's noteworthy here, is that a team that causes trepidation for me, Wisconsin, is higher in this poll. My thought about Bo Ryan's team is simple- Purdue simply cannot continue to own the Badgers the way they have. Wisconsin's too good. I know, I know, Purdue matches up well with them, but Ryan's a sharp guy...and after spending a romantic summer away with Hummel in Europe, he probably knows a lot of Matty's secrets.

The RPI poll is even more curious to me. West Virginia has beaten some OK teams the last few weeks...just barely. But, when they entered into Mackey, they lost their mojo at about the ten-minute mark. Purdue, who was up by twenty-five at times, ended up beating up on WVU, as you all know...but, that thrashing helped them, I guess. They currently sit atop of the RPI rankings. Okie dokie.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again- none of this stuff matters...but wouldn't it be nice, just to warm the cockles of our hearts, to see Purdue get some props???

You ask, and you receive:
Joe Lunardi finds Matty's boys delicious...and gives them the highest seeding possible in his pretend tournament this week. Yeah, I know, I know...it doesn't matter either. You're exactly right.

Keep on winning...leave no doubt and forget about the polls.

Next up, Purdue faces Minny at Mackey at 7:00 tomorrow...hopefully, Northwestern's athletic department won't conspire against us once again.

Thanks!!
Thanks to everyone for your patience over the past few weeks. J's son is now full-grown and training to be a model like his Dad. While my daughter is pretty, healthy and tiny...and resembles her Dad in last name only, thank God.

New Boilers Coming Soon

You're likely aware of this if you're a regular reader (and definitely if you're a listener), but the posting schedule may a bit irregular (like Boilerdowd after a buffalo chicken wrap) this week... and beyond for a little while.

Fact is, both Mrs. Money and Mrs. Boilerdowd will each be adding a member to the Boiler faithful this week. Is it weird that we've managed to have our kids potentially on the same exact day? Is it more weird that we scheduled conception for immediately after Handsome Hour broadcasts so our voices were still fresh in each other's heads? I kid.

Anyway, we'll have a guest poster for both the Iowa game on Tuesday and the West Virginia game on 1/1. In the meantime, we'll be in the 'hood still, but probably a little bit preoccupied.

Bear with us -- it's not that we love these new children more than all of you... well, no, that's not true. We do love them more.

ADDENDUM!!!
J Money's little one is on the way as we speak.
Welcome to the world, Ross Mackey JMoney!!!

Boiler up, up, and away!

According to Rivals.com, our little Purdue Boilermakers are expected to start next season at number 8 in the top 25.

If that really happens, then it's certainly not impossible to see that they could be #1 at some point.

How unbelievable would that be? Well, if you go back in time you'll clearly see that I didn't predict exactly this scenario... so... kudos to me then!

We're number eight! We're number eight!

Baby Boilers Featured

Just to direct you to some national press we're finally seeing for the Boilers, ESPN in their typical fashion has finally caught up to the "Baby Boilers" terminology. And you can tell from the players' reactions and quotes that they're kind of tired of hearing it. Just in time for ESPN and CBS to beat it to death!

But hey, press is press. And they live in the Quad, which means they're our boys! Of course, this "shared bathroom" suite-sounding business is a bit newfangled to me, but whatever...

Don't pass the hat for ole Joe...and basketball notes.

It doesn't stink to be Joe Tiller

This just in: Joe Tiller is a wealthy man. I know, I know, many argue that lil' ole Purdue can't compete with the Big Two of the league...in fact, from a salary standpoint, only Iowa and Ohio State pay their head coach better. According the Exponent, Tiller's publicized $242,550 isn't all that pads Joe's pocket. In fact, moneys coming from The Purdue Research Foundation bring Joe's salary up to a hefty $1.8 million. Plus, that money goes pretty far in West Lafayette.

So, what's this mean to me? It means that Purdue can afford to offer Joe's successor a lot of money and go after the best candidate who is the best fit for the job (not necessarily the most convenient candidate)...especially in the case where Joe retires/resigns and is not bought out. I think it's something to keep in mind for the many people out there that keep squawking about how no one will want to come to Purdue...I would venture a guess that $1.5-$2.0 million would make quite a few people at least listen to the prospect of coaching the gold and black. Plus, you can always remind the potential candidate that they'll get one Foxy secretary (Foxy Lafon is one of the three secretaries for the football office...seriously, that's her name, and she's not bad looking)!

Boilers Roll...Ball State is a sugary-sweet bakery treat

Painter's boys pulled out another win against yet another lack-luster opponent after being down late in the contest. Granted, the game wasn't too close down the stretch, but the fact that they were trailing to an 0-6 (now 0-7) team in the second half isn't a real positive.

All that said, it's pretty great to see this team continually learn how to win games in which they are challenged. This is a bit of rebuilding year for the Boilers, but they are notching wins against teams they need to beat to get into the tournament. Plus, the players who are producing are all first and second-year Boilers; most are Freshman & Sophomores.

One thing that is becoming a theme is that many players on this team can step up when needed. We've seen Calasan, Martin, Kramer, Grant & Moore all lead the Boilers in scoring in at least one game this season...and the season's only six games old.

Last night, it was Grant & Krump who stepped up. They went a combined 7-of-10 from behind the arch as most of the rest of the team struggled from three-point range. It's really surprising to me as I thought of those two as two of the worst shooters on the team last year.

Up next, a tough road test versus Missouri who will probably have revenge on their mind as the Boilers beat the Tigers last season. The next two games are the toughest stretch of the pre-conference season. I think if our Boilers can win at least one of these, it should be a pretty good sign that this team is improving and will be playing in the dance.

Purdue v. Clemson Wrap-Up

I was looking forward to the Clemson game as one in which we'd learn a lot about the Baby Boilers- I think we did.

-We learned that Nemanja Calasan will be a vocal leader and will look for his shot. His hook shot might become quite a weapon as the season progresses. He is going to need to stay out of trouble as he is the most-veteran Purdue forward.

-Scott Martin can create his own shot and looks to shoot nearly every time he touches the ball...that doesn't mean he gives into that urge, but he's a shooter.

-Rob Hummel is a Cardinal-type player...except maybe a bit more fluid and a better athlete. I do think Cardinal was probably a better shooter. But, Hummel seems to always come up with loose balls when Purdue needs it. I think he's a lot like the goofy-looking players from Minnesota and Wisconsin in past seasons. You look at him and say, "I'm not going to let that guy beat me"...and then he beats you it burns you to the middle.

-Kramer has to slow down a bit. He seems to play with reckless abandon, which I usually think there isn't enough of. In Chris' case, I actually think he might want to scale it back a bit. I think if he doesn't, concussions and other injuries will eventually cut his career short. All that said, I love the style of his play.

-Moore is pretty good, but isn't the take-charge type of player I thought he'd naturally be. I think he can develop into what he was in high school, but it might take a season or two.

-Keaton Grant played pretty poorly and seemed to be a liability, especially offensively during stretches of the game. I knew he hasn't played in all of the games, but I expect more since he has a year under his belt.

Overall, Purdue has a defense-first philosophy which I think will win them a lot of games...Plus, when you're not shooting well, defense can bring you through those slumps. I was really pleased with the way the team handled the hostile environment and even when the crowd seemed ready to erupt, the young Boilers didn't fold. Lastly, it sure looked like Purdue had three extra opponents on the court during stretches of the second half (ref. free throw count)...but they still almost pulled out the upset.

Regarding the telecast- great job, ESPN. Jon Sciambi is an over-talking moron. I take that back, I take that back. He was great, please don't send Vitale to any Purdue games!

I really don't give a damn about the BT-ACC rivalry or "conference pride". I want Purdue to win and would really like to see IU lose every game as long as Sampson is their coach. Outside of that, I'm not too worried about the rest of the conference. I won't be going out of my way to root for a Big Ten team merely because they play in my Boilers' conference. That said, Wisconsin embarrassed themselves pretty badly tonight despite their top-25 ranking.

Victory!!!

Our Boilers are 1-0...and there's lots of good news coming out of God's Country this morning. First off, the score, Purdue won going away 66-40...forced 22 turnovers in the first half alone and played a pretty good defensive game. Chris Kramer led the Boilers with solid-as-always pressure on the ball, and 15 points. E'Twaun Moore chipped in 14 and Johnson had 12.

My favorite quote of the night comes from Clifford Reed, B. Cookman's coach. As he spoke about his team's first half performance, he said, "We were down 17...We probably should have been down 45 or so." That tells me a couple things- first, Purdue didn't shoot as well as they could have in that half, but second, the Wildcats were playing horribly. Although I didn't get to see it (Thanks BTN & Comcast), Clisby painted his usually murky picture about what was going on. Larry spoke of lots of steals and very few score updated. Thank you as always, Leerfield Purdue Sports Radio!

Other positive points of interest are first, that Calasan will be eligible to play following the Lipscomb game for Loyola-Chicago. By the way, I attribute the snappy decision to the pressure I put on Miles Brand and Co. (you're welcome, Coach Painter). Also, Keaton Grant will return to the lineup for the Lipscomb contest following his serving of a suspension after he was Gordon Watt's drinking buddy a few weeks back. Both will greatly help the Boilers as better competition starts sniffing around. That said, I think our Boilers are going to struggle with teams that have legitimate power forwards and centers...So about every team in the Big Ten will be tough to beat.

Next up, the 0-3, Nashville Tennessean, Lipscomb Bison!

Big Time Teams Play Big Time Opponents (Bethune-Cookman)

As Purdue starts its season (for some reason it's about 3-5 days after everyone else in the nation) they will be tested right away by the fantastic stupendous Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Granted, I thought BC actually was conjured up by Bill Cosby as a rival to Hillman on the Cosby show, but it turns out the Wildcats are a real MEAC school. Bethune-Cookman comes in 0-2 after losing to two perennial powers, Warner Southern & Florida Gulf Coast. Both games were close, so don't discount the effort...This B-Cookman team can flat out play!

While other teams across the land will be playing in unimportant tournaments like the BCI or Pre-Season NIT, Purdue will be playing back-to-back contests against some of the best teams in American- Bethune Cookman & Lipscomb. We should learn a whole lot of nothin' over the next two contest.

What we will see is a host of Freshman playing for the Boilermakers. Purdue will start three freshman in tonight's contest...This is something that has never happened according to Gold & Black online...so starting four, which will happen very soon will be history-making once again.

Calasan is still out awaiting the NCAA's ruling on his amateur status...This process wasn't aided by a fire in the NCAA headquarters yesterday in Indianapolis. The building will be shut down for at least another day...and Purdue will not have their JC shooting forward as long as they aren't working. Crapper, Miles, get back to work!

Unprecedented

I don't think you can go far enough back in Purdue's basketball history to find a recruiting class as highly touted as the group of players that are coming into West Lafayette this season...and it's a good thing. With the losses of David Teague & Carl Landry and more recently, Gordon Watt, Purdue lost almost all of it's core from last year's 22-win team. But, if the exhibition game versus The University of Indianapolis is any indicator, this group of newcomers is ready and willing to fill in the gap left by the group of veterans that just left.

While this incoming class is filled with top-75 talent, none of them (with maybe the exception of Moore) seem to be flashy...and I like that. A few articles I've read seem to echo that sentiment as all of this class has lent itself to coaching and instruction during pre-season workouts and practices. So how did the first contest go? Pretty well- 69 of 89 of Purdue's points came from this Freshman class...Martin finished with 19, and Hummel with 17. All four Freshman finished with double-digit points and they all shot right-around 50%. Chris Kramer seemed to step aside for the evening, offensively and let the young guys (like he's a crusty old veteran) get their nerves straight. Hummel was one of the first to play down the performance and its importance saying, "All we did was beat Indianapolis...That's it." He's right on, but it's promising.

Calasan was not available due to the NCAA not yet clearing his amateur status. Painter said this issue would be quickly settled and didn't sound worried...I'm not feeling so great about it since Purdue's record with the NCAA clearinghouse is less-than-stellar. Grant also did not play due to his three-game suspension for alcohol-related off-court problems.

I'm excited about this team, but think they're a year-or-so away from a record that is better than last-season's 22-win campaign. My gut says they'll have 19-21 wins and get into the dance as an 8 or 9 seed...I hope I'm underestimating them, but it's hard to win while relying on this much youth...especially if Calasan isn't cleared in the very-near future.