Was surfing Rivals a little.... some interesting things:

1.  Purdue doesn't seem like they capitalized on their amazing 2007 class .... 2008, 2009, and 2010 are pretty blah.

2.  Tubby is getting some nice kids up in MN, as expected.

3.  Weber somehow figured out how to recruit.... 2009 and 2010 are looking very strong at Illinois.

If recruit ranking is any indication, it looks like Minny will move into the upper ranks of the conference and Iowa//Michigan have some work to do before they recover.  Purdue looks strong the next couple of years (because of their 2007 class) along with UW, OSU, and MSU .... Indiana and Illinois should be tourney-esque teams...... with Minny joining them shortly.....PSU and NW will remain bottom-feeders, to the surprise of nobody.

Weber always knew how to recruit, but he has been held back in the Chicago area because he refused to "play the game". He landed a few very solid players from outside of Illinois and now some of the players in the Chicago area are starting to commit. Don't know what changed, maybe the players are taking their recruitments into their own hands?

Other than having Crean as coach Indiana has nothing. It was stated they will be going into the seasons with 7 walk ons.

You really don't know much about Purdue's recruiting class then.

This years class is a class of compliments---Lewis Jackson who may contend for Big 10 FOY will be a steady Point Guard for them, and Ryne Smith is a shooter who will help stretch defenses.

Their 2009 Class will be a Top 25-30 National Class with Patrick Bade, Jeff Robinson, DJ Byrd and Kelsey Barlow.  Both Robinson and Byrd were at the NBA Top 100 camp this summer, and Bade hasn't gotten the attention of other recruits cause it was thought he was going to play football. 

Their 2009 class will also most likely be Top 20 as they have verbals from Anthony Johnson the #2 Player in Illinois and Top 50 nationally, Travis Carroll Top 75 Nationally, and Terone Johnson PG, whose stocks soared over this summer. 

Their recruiting classes are far far far from blah, and will be a top teir Big 10 program for the forseeable future.  In fact I think they will win a NC at least once over the next 5 years.

Big10Fan95:

You really don't know much about Purdue's recruiting class then.

This years class is a class of compliments---Lewis Jackson who may contend for Big 10 FOY will be a steady Point Guard for them, and Ryne Smith is a shooter who will help stretch defenses.

Their 2009 Class will be a Top 25-30 National Class with Patrick Bade, Jeff Robinson, DJ Byrd and Kelsey Barlow.  Both Robinson and Byrd were at the NBA Top 100 camp this summer, and Bade hasn't gotten the attention of other recruits cause it was thought he was going to play football. 

Their 2009 class will also most likely be Top 20 as they have verbals from Anthony Johnson the #2 Player in Illinois and Top 50 nationally, Travis Carroll Top 75 Nationally, and Terone Johnson PG, whose stocks soared over this summer. 

Their recruiting classes are far far far from blah, and will be a top teir Big 10 program for the forseeable future.  In fact I think they will win a NC at least once over the next 5 years.

Well, their 2009 and 2010 classes are looking much better than they were 2 months ago when I posted that.  You can try to justify 2008 any way you want, but it looks terrible on paper... which is all we have to go on until they lace'em up.

I think you are delusional if you actually think Purdue will win a title.... I would agree they have an outside chance, but to expect it is ridiculous.  They probably have about the same chance as UW and less than OSU or MSU.

Did you not read what I wrote about the 2008 class?  They are compliment players with Lewis Jackson being the best of the three.  He will play PG for Purdue, and allow them more flexibility for Keaton Grant and Etwaan Moore to play the 2 and 3 cause they won't have to handle the ball. This class will help out Purdue more then anybody thinks, it is not always about rankings when it comes to players, it is about how the players fit the system.  Hell you should know that, that is what Wisconsin is all about.

How am I being delusional to expect them to win a title?  Alot of people feel that this team may have what it takes to get to the Final Four this year, if their front court plays as well as they did down in Australia this summer there is no reason why they can't.  Whether you like it or not Purdue is going to be a player on the National Scene.  With the core of players they have now, and with what is coming in over the next two to three years, I think I'm in pretty good position to make such comments.

Big10Fan95:

Did you not read what I wrote about the 2008 class?  They are compliment players with Lewis Jackson being the best of the three.  He will play PG for Purdue, and allow them more flexibility for Keaton Grant and Etwaan Moore to play the 2 and 3 cause they won't have to handle the ball. This class will help out Purdue more then anybody thinks, it is not always about rankings when it comes to players, it is about how the players fit the system.  Hell you should know that, that is what Wisconsin is all about.

How am I being delusional to expect them to win a title?  Alot of people feel that this team may have what it takes to get to the Final Four this year, if their front court plays as well as they did down in Australia this summer there is no reason why they can't.  Whether you like it or not Purdue is going to be a player on the National Scene.  With the core of players they have now, and with what is coming in over the next two to three years, I think I'm in pretty good position to make such comments.

Yes, I read what you worte about 2008.... it sounds like every other justification I've ever read for sh!tty classes, including at UW.

There is a difference between thinking they have a chance (they do, a small one) and thinking they will actually win a title.  The latter makes you delusional, because the odds are very long.

I don't understand how recruiting for need is having a sh**ty class?  Lewis Jackson will be the PG for Purdue, something they needed.  The 2008 class isn't a top 25 class, but they are far from sh**ty, they add depth to a squad that is already damn good.  I also don't understand how a team that will be a Top 15 for most of this year, and  most likely Top 10 next year doesn't have a realistic shot at the title?  Give me a good reason why they don't have a "reasonable" shot?  They have excellant guard play, people who can score, they play good to great defense, and they now got the front court depth over the next 3-4 years.  But yet you say its delusional?  I like to hear your analysis as to why you think that.  Just because this team isn't named North Carolina or Duke doesn't mean they dont' have a legit shot at a National Championship.

Big10Fan95:

But yet you say its delusional?  I like to hear your analysis as to why you think that.  Just because this team isn't named North Carolina or Duke doesn't mean they dont' have a legit shot at a National Championship.

Well, it would be a reasonably bold statement to *expect* a title in the next 5 years at a school like Duke or even UNC.  Purdue will probably be somewhere in the 30/1 or 40/1 range to win each of those 5 years (about the same as UW).... that makes the chances of them winning one in the next 5 years pretty long.  For reference, a site that has both UW and Purdue at 40/1 this year has UNC at 9/2 and Duke at 10/1. 

http://www.capperspicks.com/forums/college-basketball-betting/10791-2009-college-basketball-championship-future-odds.html

I'm not trying to say Purdue isn't a good team... I love their team.... Heck, I might take Hummel over any other player in the country (which is part of the problem... my guess is that this will be his last year).  But, yes, to EXPECT to win a title in the next 5 years is DELUSIONAL.  

Look at the champs from the last 20 years and you will not see any programs like Purdue (Maryland might be the closest).  That's just a fact.

The problem is you are looking at the name and not the team.  Over the next 5 years Purdue has alot of talent.  To win a National Championship you need the following:  Great Defense, Great Guard Play, and a Front Court that can rebound.  Purdue will have all of that over the next 5 years, so it is reasonable to expect a National Title.  I don't think having those expectations are that lofty with what kind of team they have.  This year they will be at Sweet 16 team, and based on placement, seeding, etc they may be an Elite 8 team. 

Big10Fan95:

The problem is you are looking at the name and not the team.  Over the next 5 years Purdue has alot of talent.  To win a National Championship you need the following:  Great Defense, Great Guard Play, and a Front Court that can rebound.  Purdue will have all of that over the next 5 years, so it is reasonable to expect a National Title.  I don't think having those expectations are that lofty with what kind of team they have.  This year they will be at Sweet 16 team, and based on placement, seeding, etc they may be an Elite 8 team. 

No, it's not REASONABLE to EXPECT a title at a program like Purdue... sorry, but that's a fact.  Teams like UNC, Kansas, UCLA, and even OSU bring in classes like Purdue's from last year every season.  You are living in some weird bubble of denial.  They couldn't even win a down Big Ten last year against a UW program that was not elite, lost in teh 1st round of the B10 tourney, and won ONE game in the NCAA (Baylor).

This will probably be their best team in the next 5 years since it will likely be Hummel's last... a season in which you are claiming they MAY be an Elite 8 team (I agree). Yet you EXPECT them to win a title in the next 5 years.  LOL..... D-E-L-U-S-I-O-N-A-L.  I think you could expect an Elite 8 in the next 5 years, but that is a LONG ways from a title.  You do have my permission to HOPE for a title wihout sounding like a homer quack.

1) This will not be Hummels last year, the only person who may jump to the NBA would be Moore but he has alot to improve on in regards to ball handling and defense.

2) This will not be Purdue's best team over the next 5 years, as they have Top 15 Recruiting Classes coming in for 2009 and 2010, with Indiana being rich in High Talent in 2011/2012.  They lost out on the Big Ten to Wisconsin, but beat Wisconsin twice.  Two of their losses were to desparate teams again Indiana in Cheater Sampson's last game and Ohio State who were fighting for a NCAA bid.  They were the SECOND YOUNGEST TEAM IN THE NATION last year, and will only get better.

 This is not a denial issue, I'm a realist and call a spade a spade.  Purdue is rich in talent, and have more talent coming in over the next few years, they have one of the nation's best backcourt,and their frontcourt is developed quite nicely during this past off season. 

You make everything sound as if Purdue is so insignificant to the College Basketball World and that they are a flash in the pan program.  The reality is that Purdue is a Top 25 program in regards to all-time wins, including the most Big 10 Championships of any other Big Ten School.  Painter is bringing the program back to where it was in the mid 90's, by bringing in very good talent.  Talent that can win a National Championship.  National Championships are won on 3 things.......1) Guard Play 2) Defense and 3) Rebounding  All three things Purdue will excel at over the course of the next 5 years.

Big10Fan95:

Talent that can win a National Championship.  National Championships are won on 3 things.......1) Guard Play 2) Defense and 3) Rebounding  All three things Purdue will excel at over the course of the next 5 years.

Purdue will definitely be talented, but getting cocky over a few top 15 classes (they're NOT anyways) is pretty stupid when there are programs out there that ROUTINELY haul in top 5-10 classes.  Even Purdue's very good class of 2007 was only ranked 6, and they lost Martin (4 stars) from that class.  2008 didn;t even crack Rivals' top 30.... oh ... wait... I forgot, Painter intentionally didn't recruit any good players because he wanted them to fit in better.  LMAO.

The classes of 2009 and 2010 are looking more like top maybe 25-30 classes when it is all said and done, not top 15.  2011/2012 players aren't going to win titles as freshmen, and the 2007 class will be long gone by then.

Guard play, defense, and rebounding... yeah... you know, there are a lot of good teams that will excel in those areas.  There is a reason Vegas is giving 40/1 odds on Purdue this year, and it isn't because they EXPECT them to win a title.  And, yes, Hummel is probably gone.... his stock won't get any higher after this season.

You are what we like to refer to as a HOMER-DELUXE.  It would sound just as ridiculous if a UW fan came on here and said he EXPECTED UW to win a title in the next 5 years.

I'm not being cocky at all, I putting out the facts as they are.  Martin is gone, but in the long run he would of underacheived at Purdue because a difference in what he wanted to play, and what Painter wanted him to play.  I never said Painter intentionally didn't work top players for the 08 class, but your point was that Purdue didn't capitalize on a strong 07 class, which is DEAD WRONG.  Lewis Jackson is going to be one of the top freshman this year in the Big 10, he is going to play the point, and is lightning fast.  He will help Purdue to play both BIG AND FAST with him at the Point Guard position. 

Again, Hummel WILL NOT LEAVE AFTER THIS YEAR OR NEXT.  He had a great freshman year, but he is still undersized and lacks the quickness to go early.  Hummel will be at Purdue for at least 3 years, most likely 4.  The 2009 and 2010 classes are going to be damn good. I never should had argue Recruiting Rankings because at the end of the day they don't mean squat but when it is said and done they will be highly regarded .  But those two classes are going to be very very very good. 

Again, this is not being cocky but watching alot of basketball.  Expecting a title over the next 5 years is about having expectations based on the talent my team has.  Yeah there alot of teams that has Guard Play, Defense and Rebounding....but Purdue has one of the top backcourts in the nation this year, and will only get better next year.  They are a extremely good defensive team and will only get better next year.  The Rebounding will be much improved this year, and another year in the Weight Room with the help from the 09 class.....it will put them in position to make a run.

I guess I'm sorry that you dont' have hight expectations, maybe you don't feel Wisconsin has good enough players to make a good run, I don't know.  But I do know that Purdue has an outstanding core of players that are only Jrs, So. and have outstanding recruiting classes on the way that will fit great with Purdue's system.  They are a Pre-Season Top 15 program this year, with some experts feeling they can make a deep run in the NCAA's.  Why wouldn't someone expect even greater things next year?

I'm not being cocky at all, I putting out the facts as they are.  Martin is gone, but in the long run he would of underacheived at Purdue because a difference in what he wanted to play, and what Painter wanted him to play.  I never said Painter intentionally didn't work top players for the 08 class, but your point was that Purdue didn't capitalize on a strong 07 class, which is DEAD WRONG.  Lewis Jackson is going to be one of the top freshman this year in the Big 10, he is going to play the point, and is lightning fast.  He will help Purdue to play both BIG AND FAST with him at the Point Guard position. 

Again, Hummel WILL NOT LEAVE AFTER THIS YEAR OR NEXT.  He had a great freshman year, but he is still undersized and lacks the quickness to go early.  Hummel will be at Purdue for at least 3 years, most likely 4.  The 2009 and 2010 classes are going to be damn good. I never should had argue Recruiting Rankings because at the end of the day they don't mean squat but when it is said and done they will be highly regarded .  But those two classes are going to be very very very good. 

Again, this is not being cocky but watching alot of basketball.  Expecting a title over the next 5 years is about having expectations based on the talent my team has.  Yeah there alot of teams that has Guard Play, Defense and Rebounding....but Purdue has one of the top backcourts in the nation this year, and will only get better next year.  They are a extremely good defensive team and will only get better next year.  The Rebounding will be much improved this year, and another year in the Weight Room with the help from the 09 class.....it will put them in position to make a run.

I guess I'm sorry that you dont' have hight expectations, maybe you don't feel Wisconsin has good enough players to make a good run, I don't know.  But I do know that Purdue has an outstanding core of players that are only Jrs, So. and have outstanding recruiting classes on the way that will fit great with Purdue's system.  They are a Pre-Season Top 15 program this year, with some experts feeling they can make a deep run in the NCAA's.  Why wouldn't someone expect even greater things next year?