WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – Purdue coach Matt Painter has used last year’s NCAA tournament loss to Virginia Commonwealth as motivation for his squad.
The players say Painter had them watch the game several times in the early days of practice to remind them how they got outplayed and outhustled in a 94-76 loss.
The Boilermakers went 26-8 last season and won their opening game in the NCAA tournament. They lost JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore to the NBA.
Robbie Hummel is back after missing last season with a torn ACL. He averaged 15.7 points and 6.9 rebounds two seasons ago. Seniors Ryne Smith and Lewis Jackson return and D.J. Byrd and Kelsey Barlow combined for 29 starts last season.
Purdue opens the regular season Nov. 11 at home against Northern Illinois.
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