No way to end a career
It's official: this is the worst men's basketball team in Purdue history, not to mention the worst of Gene Keady's 25-year career. Lack of talent, untimely injuries, and a difficult preseason schedule (including Oklahoma, Cincinnati, NC State, and Memphis, all programs on the rise or near the top in their conferences) did 'em in. I'd like to say I'm surprised, but this fall's been in development for some time. Recruiting infractions and sanctions in the late 90s sent assistant (and star recruiter) Frank Kendrick packing, paved the way for Bruce Weber to seek his fortune elsewhere (oh, the pain), and set the stage for the team that's scuffing up the hardwood today.
That said, they seem to be great kids and they've got the Keady mentality -- put tough losses behind you and look to the next game -- and there's not a big ego in the bunch, even (injured) leading scorer Carl Landry. I just wish Keady's Purdue epilogue could've included some storied tournament matchups -- even a rematch with Coach K -- but no way, no how was that gonna happen with this squad.
Here's hoping new head coach (and Keady protegé) Matt Painter can bring the heat, and fast. Purdue needs a healthy men's basketball program -- it's just not right without one. (I also have an unsettling, vague feeling that getting basketball back on track might be timely, as football may be looking at an academic kneecapping in a couple years. Can we ever get this thing going on all cylinders?)