E'Twaun Moore News

The fourth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers are fully expected to add another non-conference win to their already impressive record as they host the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars this evening.

Coming into this season, Purdue Boilermaker fans had three non-conference games circled on the calendar, with potential for a fourth.A The dates with Wake Forest, Alabama, and West Virginia stood out as the big tests that we all knew were coming, with Tennessee possibly looming if things fell right in the Virgin Islands.

No. 4 Purdue vs. SIU Edwardsville When: 7 p.m. today Where: Mackey Arena Probable starters: Purdue -- F Robbie Hummel, Jr., 6-8 ; F JaJuan Johnson, Jr., 6-10 ; G E'Twaun Moore, Jr., 6-4 ; G Chris Kramer, Sr., 6-3 ; G Keaton Grant, Sr., 6-4 ; SIU Edwardsville -- F Mark Yelovich, So., 6-6 ; C Nikola Bundalo, Jr., 6-10 ; F Denykco Bowles, Sr., 6-4 ; G ...

We are here to answer the two biggest questions of our sporting times: Should the Indianapolis Colts risk a shot at unbeaten history by resting their starters in preparation for the playoffs? How good is this Purdue basketball team? As far as the Colts, play the starters, play to win, make history.

The fourth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers are in Indianapolis for this afternoon's non-conference clash with the Ball State Cardinals as part of the John R. Wooden Tradition.

The numbers indicate that Purdue has gimme game today. The Boilermakers's men's basketball team has won its last six games against opponents from the state of Indiana.

While most students head to cars, buses and airports and head home for a relaxing winter break, the Wisconsin men's basketball team's season trudges on with three more nonconference games, followed by the beginning of its Big Ten schedule.

After inconsistent early season play, it appears that Purdue standouts E'Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson and Robbie Hummel are getting dialed in just as Big Ten regular-season action approaches.

If Purdue goes on to win the Big Ten, make the Final Four and, yes, win a national championship, it should thank Alabama.

By JEFF WASHBURN The Journal & Courier Considering its defensive tenacity, it's difficult to beat Purdue's fifth-ranked basketball team even on nights when the undefeated Boilermakers aren't shooting well.

When Chris Kramer and Keaton Grant were sophomores and E'Twaun Moore, Robbie Hummel and JaJuan Johnson were freshmen, Purdue's basketball team built solid second-half leads at Clemson and Missouri, only to lose.

Anthony Grant has been preaching patience and progress as the Crimson Tide try to adapt to the new playing style of the first-year coach.

The Purdue Boilermakers are 8-0 for the first time since the 1993-1994 season after pounding Valparaiso 86-62 at Mackey Arena.

Are Purdue's bully days over? Perhaps. Saturday's game at Alabama is likely to end the No.

The fifth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers will attempt to remain undefeated as they entertain the Valparaiso Crusaders in non-conference action this evening Less than a month into the season, Purdue marks the fourth ranked opponent that Valparaiso will have faced, including the third top-five team.

Chris Kramer has scored 19 points twice in his career, and he led Purdue in scoring both of those games.

The Purdue Boilermakers offered a frightening example of what they can do when they shoot well.

Ohio State's Evan Turner will miss eight weeks after breaking bones in his back when he fell while dunking during Saturday's 111-65 victory over Eastern Michigan in Columbus, Ohio.

Certainly, we wouldn't expect the nation's fourth-ranked men's basketball team to shoot 34.4 percent from the field, including 1 of 15 from 3-point range, yet defeat a talented Wake Forest team 69-58 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

It might not be the Duke game from last season, also as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but A this one definitely has a big-game feel to it.