So, what does Purdue have to do?

Two seasons ago, Robbie Hummel had back spasms and a broken vertebra. His team, Purdue, was written off as doomed. The Purdue Boilermakers, even with a dinged up Hummel for part of the season won the Big Ten Tournament, and got to the Sweet 16
Last season, Robbie Hummell blew an ACL playing here against the Gophers. Purdue was written off as done. The Purdue Boilermakers, even without Hummel, were Big Ten co-champs, went to the tournament, got to the sweet 16 and put up a decent fight with eventual champion Duke.
Now, before the season started this year, Hummel blew his other ACL.Without him, Purdue has gone 12-1 with one admittedly bad loss to Richmond on a neutral court. For whatever reason, Purdue is still written off as a non-factor. Hasn't Purdue proven they can play without Hummel yet?
I'm not complaining, because the Boilers usually prove themselves on the court. I'm just mystified by the perception everyone has of the team without him. I guess it just goes to the stereotype that white people are better at basketball.
(In case you wondering, the Star Trib has them finishing 5th in the Big Ten this year... I can't find the article online)

Terrible news for Purdue

Not long ago, I had mentioned that when the Twins were inevitably knocked out of the playoffs, I had only one possible source for some good news until next season. The Purdue basketball team was going to return all of their star players in 2010-11, and they were going to make a deep run into the tournament, and I was going to be able to enjoy their success all season long.
*sigh*
The only thing heartening about this for Purdue fans is that we were able to make it to the Sweet 16 on the backs of Jajuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, and their youngsters pressed into duty last year, like Patrick Bade, will now have more confidence and experience for the Boilers. But you still just have to feel sick for Robbie Hummel.

That was the worst scenario possible

Going into the Purdue - Minnesota game, I was looking for one of two results. Purdue wins by a lot to secure their status as a 1 seed. Minnesota edges Purdue to maybe get a shot at the tournament. Instead, Purdue eked by Minnesota, which doesn't help either team, really. And oh yeah, this.

 

Uh oh.

Is this birdlike fellow the key to Purdue's successes?

It's a long way from college basketball season, and frankly, I'm not optimistic about college football season for Purdue, so any optimism about the basketball season is welcome. Andy Katz, basketball writer of ESPN asserts that if Robbie Hummel, the pictured kid who looks somewhat like an emu, could be the ticket to the Final Four if healthy. It's things like this that make love the internet. I'm excited about basketball in August.