Purdue hoping young team keeps success alive - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Purdue coach Matt Painter may be feeling a sense of deja vu this season.

With a roster that includes nine freshmen and sophomores, and only one player who started more than 10 games last season, few expect the Boilermakers to contend for a Big Ten title.

Painter has heard it all before. Just five years ago, he entered the season in a similar scenario, started four freshmen and finished second in the Big Ten.

Could it happen again? Maybe.

With D.J. Byrd moving back to his more natural swingman spot, Ronnie Johnson taking over at point guard, 7-foot freshman center A.J. Hammons providing a shot-blocking presence inside and shooting guard Terone Johnson taking on a bigger role, the Boilermakers have a solid foundation to prove the doubters wrong.

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