Head Coach: Matt Painter
2008-09 Record (Big Ten): 27–10 (11–7)
2008-09 Postseason: NCAA: Defeated Northern Iowa 61–56, defeated Washington 76–74, lost to Connecticut 72–60 in the regional semifinals
Key Loss: F Nemanja Calasan (6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

2009-10 Big Ten Prediction: 2nd

Finally, it’s Purdue that has the experience. After being ousted in the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons by battle-tested, veteran teams — Xavier in 2008, UConn in ’09 — the Boilermakers finally are loaded with upperclassmen who have experience playing in the postseason.

Purdue likely will start one senior, three juniors and one sophomore. And that experience could help this talented team break through to the next level.

“Being more mentally tough, I think is something we can really hang our hat on,” says coach Matt Painter. “We finally have an experienced team where we have our top six guys returning, and we’re really looking forward to jelling and really playing as one.”

Frontcourt

Depth may be an issue here — freshmen will have to contribute — but there are no worries with starters JaJuan Johnson and Robbie Hummel. Both have been first-team All-Big Ten picks — Hummel as a freshman two years ago and Johnson last season. And both keep getting better.

“I’d be saying I would be greedy if I didn’t like our front line,” Painter says. “I’d put up our front line against a lot of people in the country. We’re versatile. We’re skilled. We’re athletic. I think we cause mismatches.”

Johnson, a bit raw as a freshman, emerged as a dominant post player by December and was widely considered the best big man in the conference as a sophomore because of his excellence on both ends of the court. He uses his long wingspan, instincts and hops to alter and block shots — leading the Big Ten with 2.1 blocks per game. He also electrifies the Mackey Arena crowd with monster dunks, and he impresses with a variety of post moves and a soft touch.

Hummel missed five games with a stress fracture in his lower back — the team lost three of those games — but with rest and rehab he felt better by the end of the Big Ten season. It showed. He was his usual Mr. Everything — nailing 3-pointers, leading the fast break, hitting the boards and battling on defense.

Freshmen Sandi Marcius and Patrick Bade are the only true post options off the bench.

Backcourt

Chris Kramer was leaving the court, one hand on a bloody towel covering his broken nose, the other waving to pump up the Mackey Arena crowd. On his first play back in the game about five minutes later with a makeshift mask covering the nose Manny Harris busted, Kramer slipped under a Michigan player to take a charge. It’s that kind of toughness and passion that has made Kramer one of the best defenders in the nation and the team’s emotional leader.

There’s no doubt who the go-to guy on offense is — junior E’Twaun Moore. When Moore is in control and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, there may not be a better offensive player in the league. Purdue was 11–3 when he had at least four assists in a game — including a 6–0 record when he had five or more — and he runs the pick-and-roll with Johnson to near perfection. Moore also has a smooth jumper and can slip through defenders to the rim.

Point guard Lewis Jackson completes the three-guard starting lineup, and what a welcome addition he turned out to be as a freshman. Jackson’s quickness gave the Boilermakers an element they lacked, and his defensive pressure on the ball gave many opposing guards fits.

Backup point guard Keaton Grant lost a bit of his shooting touch last season — his 3-point percentage dropped from 44.0 to 34.9 percent in one year — but he’ll keep pulling the trigger. And he should. He’s a key perimeter threat.

Sophomore sharpshooter Ryne Smith and freshmen D.J. Byrd and Kelsey Barlow will be vital in backup roles.

Final Analysis

Things are in place for Purdue to enjoy a special season. Sure, there’s no proven depth in the frontcourt — there could be serious problems if Hummel’s back flares up or Johnson goes down with an injury — but this team has plenty of talent and experience. Hummel and Moore give the Boilers two go-to guys on offense, while Kramer, Johnson and Jackson provide a defensive presence few teams can match.

A Big Ten title and a trip to the Final Four are realistic goals for Painter’s fifth Purdue team.