Boilers begin Jam against South Dakota State
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/20/2009
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The high in Saint Thomas is expected to be around 84 degrees the next four days, with lows no lower than 78.
But that doesn’t really matter to the No. 7 Purdue men’s basketball team. Yes, the Boilermakers are spending the next four days in paradise while competing in the Paradise Jam, surrounded by the Virgin Islands’ amazing beaches, bright blue water and fancy hotels, but the Boilers maintain they’re on a business trip.
“You’re playing basketball, so we take that approach,” Purdue junior forward Robbie Hummel said. “It is a beautiful place and a nice place to be, but we all know we are going to the Virgin Islands to play basketball.”
The Boilers kick off their quest to win the Paradise Jam tonight at 8:30 when they play South Dakota State. If seeds hold, they will then play Boston College on Sunday and No. 10 Tennessee on Monday in the championship. Northern Iowa, who Purdue battled in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year, DePaul, East Carolina and St. Joesph’s (Penn.) round out the field.
Coach Matt Painter said Monday the strong field is the main draw of the Jam.
“We think this field is big time,” Painter said. “It’s going to help us get prepared for the Big Ten season. You try your best to match talent to the event, but when an event has a lot of tradition, you have to book far in advance.”
In his first three years at Purdue, senior guard Chris Kramer played in Hawaii, Las Vegas and New York in early season tournaments similar to the Paradise Jam, so he knows what its like to play in desirable venues. Still, he doesn’t think it’s much of a recruiting tool.
“It’s nice, but ultimately, you’re not going to go to a school based on where you’re going to go (play),” Kramer said Monday. “Going to these places is a little sugar on top.”
Purdue’s game tonight will be streamed for $8 on FoxCollegeSports.com. Should Purdue win, the Boilers’ semi-final game will be aired on Fox College Sports Pacific. Advancing to the championship game Monday will put Purdue on Fox Sports.