Let's get right to it:
- Matt Painter finalist for Coach of the Year award - I know he likely won't win it, but coach Painter has been named as one of 10 finalists for the U.S. basketball Writer's Coach of the Year Award. Of those that are finalists with him I would have to give it to brad Stevens at Butler. The Bulldogs could easily become a Gonzaga of the Midwest at this rate.
- Lindsay Wysdom-Hilton gains 1st Team All-Big Ten honor - The senior came back from a knee injury with a vengeance, becoming one of just two unanimous selections by the coaches. She also took home the sportsmanship award and will lead Purdue as a 3-seed at the Big Ten Tournament this weekend.
- Freshman Brittany Rayburn named 6th-player of the year - Though Wysdom-Hilton is gone after this season, Rayburn looks like a solid player to build around in the future. Kiki Freeman Danielle Campbell, and FahKara Malone were named honorable mention all-Big Ten as well.
- Football drops two players - Alvin Blackmon and Preston Numa were hailed as diamonds in the rough a few years ago as one of coach Tiller's final recruiting classes. Numa was released from the team for unknown reasons while Blackmon intends to transfer. Neither player saw the field last year, nor were they expected to contribute this coming season. Blackmon was one of just five returning scholarship receivers, however. Numa did have some promise as a defensive tackle.
- Basketball player Lauren Mioton is incredibly smart - Mioton pulls in another solid academic award, plus she was homecoming queen. Some guy on campus has to be very happy with her.
- Men's swimming has highest finish ever in Big Ten meet - Fourth place is pretty good for a program that hasn't had a lot of historical success. Then again, we have never had as nice of a finish as the current Aquatics Center, which is now one of the premier venues in the country. David Boudia was the star for Purdue as he dominated the diving events.
- Baseball heads to Texas State - The baseball team split a doubleheader with Southeast Missouri State last weekend, then the Saturday and Sunday games were rained out. At 2-4 on the season Purdue needs to get in gear because the Big Ten looks much tougher this season. Michigan continues to play well, while Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio State have gotten off to hot starts. Texas State is 6-2 with a game against #1 Texas tonight. So far the Boilers have developed an unhealthy tendency to blow close games, losing two in extra innings and another by losing a big lead. Big Ten hardball has some excellent coverage of the conference's baseball programs.