No. 7 Purdue opens preseason play tonight
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/03/2009
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The much-anticipated Purdue men’s basketball season begins tonight in Mackey Arena.
The Boilers will host California of Pennsylvania in their first exhibition game of the season. Purdue enters the game as the No. 7 team in the country, the highest they’ve been ranked before a season since a No. 2 spot in 1987-88.
“I think we are in a great place,” senior guard Chris Kramer said before practice Monday. “It’s awesome for that first exhibition game to finally be here, just because we can start playing other people and stop beating up on each other in practice.”
The game, which if all goes well will be coach Matt Painter’s 12th exhibition win, will offer fans their first chance to see six of Purdue’s freshmen, including recruits D.J. Byrd, Patrick Bade and Kelsey Barlow. Center Sandi Marcius will not be in playing clothes, having broken his foot last week.
“That hurts,” junior Robbie Hummel said. “Any time you have a guy go down, it is difficult. It’s really unfortunate, because he was really trying to improve every day. He just took an awkward step and broke his foot.”
The injury means Bade and Byrd will be expected to back up Hummel and junior center JaJuan Johnson. Hummel said he also expects walk-on freshman Kyle Coleman to see minutes in the post.
“It’s a good chance for our freshman and a lot of those guys that didn’t get a chance to play last year to get some experience and step in there and show coaches what they can do,” Kramer said.
The Boilers went into Monday’s practice still focusing on what they need to do to be successful, rather than defending against the Vulcans’ style of play. That was expected to change Monday, however.
“Honestly I have no idea (what to expect),” Hummel said. “I think we’ll probably watch tape today and go over some of their stuff. We have their personnel written up on some of the boards, so we’ll go through that, too.”
The game will tip off at 7 tonight in Mackey Arena.
Due to construction on and around the stadium, Paint Crew members and student ticket-holders should enter through Gate B. Spectators will only be able to enter through Gates A, B, D and F. Gate C is permanently closed, and Gate E is for emergency exits only.