:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60543953/20131120_ajl_bd1_083.0.0.0.jpg)
it the final game of the opening five game homestand and, as I said in the preseason, Purdue needs to go 5-0 against these mid-to-low-majors if it wants to enhance its NCAA Tournament profile. The Boilers simply cannot afford a loss to one of these teams. It managed to avoid disaster against Northern Kentucky and the Rider game was an abomination of hacking and whistles, which has already victimized several better teams this year.
Fortunately, Purdue should be able to get through this one today with relative ease. This is technically one of the games as part of hte Old Spice Classic, as the eight teams involved are allowed to play a game against another team int he event before gathering in Orlando next week. Oklahoma State has already beaten Memphis in Stillwater. Washington State and Butler are not taking the extra game opportunity, and neither are St. Joseph's or LSU.
If things break right in the tournament Purdue could play Siena again next weekend.
Projected Starters: | |
Purdue Boilermakers (4-0) | Siena Saints (2-3) |
Terone Johnson - Sr. | Marquis Wright - Fr. |
Ronnie Johnson - So. | Maurice White - Fr. |
Kendall Stephens -Fr. | Rob Poole - Jr. |
Errick Peck - Sr. | Lavon Long - Fr. |
A.J. Hammons - So. | Imoh Silas - Jr. |