Boilermakers head to head of pack

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue’s heralded 2007 recruiting class of Robbie Hummel, E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson stepped on campus trying to help the program keep up with the big boys.

Last season, they felt it was time to beat the big boys.

Now, they are the big boys.

The Boilermakers, fresh off a Sweet 16 berth, boldly state that their goal is a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis, and why not? They’ve got all five starters back from a team that went 27-10 and won the Big Ten tournament.

“I think with all the rankings and all that stuff that comes out, the teams we play, we’re going to get their best shot this year,” Johnson said. “I think we’ve just got to stay grounded as a team, stay together.”

The key component is forward Hummel (12.5 points, 7 rebounds last season). He was the Big Ten’s preseason player of the year, but he suffered a hairline fracture in his lower back early in the season. He missed five games, but came back and was named the most outstanding player of the Big Ten tournament.

While Hummel was out for several games last season, Johnson emerged as a star. He averaged 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and just over two blocks per game. The All-Big Ten selection and member of the league’s all-defense team considered a jump to the NBA before returning for his junior season.

“I think the way he played last year is how we envisioned he would play as a senior in college, not as a sophomore in college,” coach Matt Painter said.

“He just really has worked hard on his game. And he’s gotten a lot stronger with the basketball.”

Moore, a guard, led the team with 13.8 points per game. Guard Chris Kramer returns for his senior season looking to re-establish himself as the Big Ten’s top defender. Point guard Lewis Jackson returns after averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman.