Boilermakers go Italian
Written By Evan Williams
Purdue Basketball Preps for Italy Trip
With the Italy trip just a few weeks away, the Purdue Men’s Basketball has begun the first of the 10 NCAA allowed practices prior to the trip. This year’s team has a completely different look with the graduation of Robbie Hummel, Lewis Jackson, and Ryne Smith. With the losses, Purdue adds freshmen Rapheal Davis, A.J. Hammons, Ronnie Johnson, Jay Simpson, and redshirt freshman Donnie Hale.
The team will depart on August 7th for Italy where they will play four games over a span of 10 days. With the practices, Coach Matt Painter and company gets a better look at this year’s squad which will have a much different makeup than the recent Boilermaker teams. Coach Painter will have the luxury of having some depth in the front court with six players at 6’8” or taller, including the 7’0” Hammons, 6’9” Simpson, and 6’8” Hale.
Purdue will be led by veterans senior D.J. Byrd, the reigning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, and junior Terone Johnson. Johnson’s younger brother, Ronnie and senior Dru Anthrop are going to be looked upon to fill the void at point guard left by Lewis Jackson’s graduation. Sophomore Anthony Johnson and Rapheal Davis are guys that will see plenty of minutes this year and will be able to contribute offensively. The Boilers will have a young rotation at the power forward spot with sophomore Jacob Lawson and the freshmen Hale and Simpson. Purdue will bolster a big rotation at center with Hammons and the 6’9” junior duo of Travis Carroll and Sandi Marcius.
These exhibition games are going to be a great warm-up for Purdue so they can get some chemistry playing together and the freshman can get some experience in game situations. I will get to catch my first glimpse of this year’s squad on August 4th at the Intrasquad Scrimmage which will take place after the Alumni Game at Mackey Arena. I am getting really excited for another good year of Boilermaker basketball!
