Terone Johnson will likely lead the Boilermakers in scoring this season. (US Presswire)

Preview: Purdue Boilermakers 

Last year: 22-13 overall, 10-8 Big Ten (6th, lost in round of 32 in NCAA tournament)

Coach: Matt Painter (7th year, 160-77; 8th overall, 185-82)

Projected starters: G Terone Johnson. Jr. (9.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.0 apg); F D.J. Byrd, Sr. (8.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg); G Ronnie Johnson, Fr. (n/a); F Travis Carroll, Jr. (2.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg); A.J. Hammons, Fr. (n/a).

Top newcomers: Freshman PG Ronnie Johnson (Terone’s younger brother) should start immediately after the graduation of Lewis Jackson (10.4 ppg, 4.2 apg). Johnson hails from Indiana and has played against the state’s other top Big Ten recruits, Gary Harris of Michigan State and Yogi Ferrell of Indiana, throughout his high school career. Johnson’s a good distributor and is quick enough to break defenders down off the dribble. Hammons is the other heralded recruit coming to West Lafayette, and, at 7-0, he’ll provide size that Painter hasn’t had in the post for years. “He’s ahead defensively right now, in terms of blocking shots and rebounding and passing and thinking the game,” Painter said at Big Ten media day.

Key losses: For years, Robbie Hummel was the face of the Purdue program. He fought back from two ACL tears to lead the team in scoring (16.4) and rebounding (7.2) last season as a redshirt senior. His experience and intangibles are undoubtedly the two things that will be hardest to replace. Guard Lewis Jackson, last year’s assist leader, also graduated, leaving a void at point guard.

What you need to know: The Boilermakers are young. They graduated 50 percent of their scoring and 39 percent of their rebounding, and nine of their 14 scholarship players are underclassmen. Inexperience will be a major concern, but the Boilermakers do have size, unlike in previous years. Hammons is the anchor on defense, but Carroll (6-9), Jacob Lawson (6-8) and Sandi Marcius (6-9) will also be counted on to clean up the defensive glass. The Boilermakers were 10th in the Big Ten in rebounding last season and lost a significant chunk when Hummel left. The mark of a Painter team is a good defensive squad whose effort is never in question. Nobody exemplifies that better than Byrd, who was honored at last season’s end-of-the-year banquet with the team’s “Mr. Hustle” award. How quickly this team matures will determine whether it can make its seventh consecutive NCAA tournament.

Mark the calendar:

  • Dec. 15 vs. Notre Dame: This game marks Purdue’s marquee non-conference matchup and comes as part of the Crossroads Classic played in Indianapolis, a one-day showcase of the best of Indiana basketball. Notre Dame, Purdue, Butler and Indiana all take part. 
  • Jan. 30 vs. Indiana: The Hoosiers are going to get everyone’s best shot as the preseason No. 1 team, but this game holds extra meaning for the Boilermakers as the two programs routinely battle for in-state recruits. The Hoosiers pounded Purdue last season 78-61 in their lone trip to Mackey Arena.

Biggest question: How will freshmen Johnson, Hammons, Rapheal Davis, and Jay Simpson handle the anticipated workload?

Best-case scenario: Ronnie Johnson distributes effectively and Terone Johnson averages 14 points per game, up five from last season. Carroll becomes a rebounding machine and the Boilermakers scrap their way to another 10-8 record, earning yet another NCAA berth.

Worst-case scenario: None of the freshmen are ready for big-time college basketball and Painter is forced to endure the growing pains of losing stalwarts Hummel and Jackson. The Boilermakers falter in conference play and get bounced from the conference tournament early on. That leaves the Boilermakers as a fringe NIT team.

Reality: Purdue puts together a respectable year by limiting turnovers and playing stiff defense, earning them an NIT bid. The Boilermakers finish around 8th in the Big Ten.

Season opens: vs. Bucknell, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. ET.

For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.