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Wednesday, July 25
Updated: July 26, 12:52 PM ET
Team preview: Purdue Boilermakers
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 17-15; 6-10 in Big Ten (8th)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: Lost to Alabama 85-77 in third round of NIT
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Has Purdue upgraded its talent to make a stronger push for a first division finish in the Big Ten? Can they rely on the experience of its big three to push them over the top again, like it did two years ago?
2. Rodney Smith was a surprise star last season, but how will he handle being a marked man in the Big Ten this season? Can he count on the support again from Kenny Lowe and John Allison?
3. Carson Cunningham was the heart and soul of the team and the mainstay at the point, but can Austin Parkinson handle the role as the starter? If not, then who?
Three Key Facts
1. The same name, same opponent, but different site. In fact, it's really not the same event. But Purdue will play Arizona again this season -- this time in the John Wooden Classic in the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim (Calif.). Last year, the Boilermakers upset then-No. 1 Arizona in the inaugural Wooden Tradition in Indianapolis. The game will be on Dec. 8 and part of a doubleheader that also features UCLA vs. Alabama.
2. Gene Keady isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The head coach signed a contract extension that will keep him on the Purdue bench through the 2004-05 season. Keady, who is Purdue's all-time winningest coach with a record of 456-205 (.690) in 21 years, had two years remaining on his contract.
3. When John Allison and Rodney Smith were both in the lineup last season, the Boilermakers went 16-7. Both, however, broke their right foot (at the same time) and when they sat Purdue struggled to a 1-7 mark in their absence.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: The Boilermakers' experience carries them close to the NCAA Tournament, or at least right on the bubble.
Worst case: Point guard is too big a hole to fill and the Boilermakers finish in the second tier and wind up in the NIT.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Rodney Smith
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Sr.
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F
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6-6/231
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PTS: 13.9 | REB: 4.8 | AST: 1.0
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Kenny Lowe
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Jr.
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G
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6-3/199
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PTS: 11.3 | REB: 2.9 | AST: 1.8
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John Allison
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Sr.
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C
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6-10/242
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PTS: 10.2 | REB: 5.3 | AST: 1.2
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Maynard Lewis
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Sr.
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G
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6-1/187
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PTS: 9.9 | REB: 3.5 | AST: 1.1
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Willie Deane
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So.
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G
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6-1/196
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PTS: 8.6 | REB: 3.1 | AST: 1.7
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Carson Cunningham
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G
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6-1/188
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PTS: 9.8 | REB: 1.8 | AST: 4.4
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Purdue Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Matt Carroll
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F
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6-8
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Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hills
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Darmetreis Kilgore
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G
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6-5
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South Bend, Ind./Tyler JC
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Brandon McKnight
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G
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6-2
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South Bend, Ind./LaSalle
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Andrew Ford
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G
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6-2
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West Lafayette, Ind./West Lafayette H.S.
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