Robbie Hummel News

I don't mind referring to Purdue as "us" and "we" when it suits my purposes.A You see, the Purdue basketball program hasn't made a Final Four since before I was born.A That's a long time.A Over 26 years, to be exact.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- If No. 7 Purdue approaches its lofty 2009-10 goals, embracing roles will be a key.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Robbie Hummel scored 17 points to help No. 7 Purdue beat Cal State Northridge 89-63 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

Purdue hasn't been to a Final Four since 1980, but with all five starters back from last season's team that reached the regional semifinals, the Boilermakers might have an opportunity at making the one-hour drive to Indianapolis in April.

At the nadir, ordinarily simple, routine, taken-for-granted everyday tasks were a major undertaking for Rob Hummel.

Four players -- three from Indiana, two ranked in top 100 -- expected to solidify commitments to Boilers For the past four years, Purdue coach Matt Painter has been building his team with talent from Indiana and around the Midwest.

Robbie Hummel scored 14 points to help No. 7 Purdue beat Kentucky Wesleyan 74-52 on Monday night in its final exhibition game.

By now most people have heard about Mississippi State forward Jarvis Varnado's selfless decision to give up his scholarship and walk-on this season so the Bulldogs could sign a couple of high profile recruits.

The top 10 players in the country: First team: Cole Aldrich, Kansas: A big-man with an actual low-post game.

Michael Conroy / Associated Press Purdue's E'Twaun Moore drives around California of Pennsylvania's Jerial Nixon during Tuesday night's exhibition game at Mackey Arena.

Leading into the college basketball season openers, Sporting News will preview each of the top 25, counting backward from our preseason power poll.

Purdue basketball mainstays E'Twaun Moore, Keaton Grant, JaJuan Johnson and Robbie Hummel aren't easily impressed.

Coach: Matt Painter . Last season's record: 27-10 overall, 11-7 in Big Ten . Postseason: Lost in third round of NCAA tournament to Connecticut .

There's nothing subtle about a Purdue basketball practice. The players wear shorts with the words "PLAY HARD" stitched across the rear.

Stopped by Mackey Arena on Tuesday to catch some men's basketball practice, and here are a couple observations: It was intense, per usual.

Thursday is the annual Big Ten Basketball Media Day in Chicago where all 11 coaches will be on hand along with two or three of their players to do interviews with both the print and electronic media.

Each week I'll talk about the sport I love, college basketball: &#8226 Purdue guard Lewis Jackson will miss the start of the season.

Robbie Hummel, F, Jr., 6-8, 208: Team's most versatile player, skilled in ballhandling, shooting, rebounding E'Twaun Moore, G, Jr., 6-4, 184: Gifted scorer who has led team in that category in both of his years JaJuan Johnson, C, Jr., 6-10, 215: Emerged as league's best big man with his athletic ability and defensive presence Lewis Jackson, G, ...

The top two teams in the Big Ten are Michigan State and Purdue, in that order. But forward Robbie Hummel and the Boilermakers hope to reverse that this season.

A quick look at Purdue's men's basketball roster shows only three players with an 'F' by their name and two with 'F' combinations.