Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

Gene Keady is back for his silver anniversary at Purdue before assistant coach Matt Painter takes over for the 2005-2006 season. Unfortunately, Keady’s last season at Purdue isn’t looking like a good one. Gene will have to work his magic once again in order for the Boilermakers to compete in the Big Ten.

Who’s Out: Kenneth Lowe was the heart and soul of the Boilermakers 2003-2004 team. K-Lowe led the squad with 13.3 points per game and added a solid 3.2 boards and 2.2 assists per contest. Ivan Kartelo provided a huge presence under the basket. At 6-11 and 265 pounds he could match up with any center in the Big Ten. Both Brett Buscher and Austin Parkinson saw a few starts and got plenty of playing time off the bench. Center Kevin Garrity saw very little playing time during his career at Purdue. Melvin Buckley is transferring from Purdue to South Florida. The sophomore guard averaged 17.8 minutes in 27 appearances. He would have played a bigger role this year for the Boilermakers.

Who’s In: Gene Keady is bringing in a few Junior College transfers, hoping to find some players that can immediately replace the lengthy list of those leaving. Forwards Carl Landry and Gary Ware are a couple of versatile big guys. Landry at 6-7 and 235, has a decent mid range jumper and the uncanny ability to handle the ball. Ware has the capabilities of normal post players when his back is to the basket. If he needs to get further away, he can drain the short jumper pretty well for a 6-9 215 pounder. Guard Bryant Dillon is also a resourceful prospect. Dillon, who has two years of eligibility remaining, looks to pass first and shoot second. At 6-6 he is listed as a shooting guard, but he will rack up the assists if given the opportunity. His height gives him a great advantage if matched up against a smaller guard. Xavier Price is the only incoming freshman coming to West Lafayette this year. Price is being compared to the departed Kenneth Lowe, a tenacious defender, hard worker and fierce competitor. Adam Liddell redshirted last year and could play a role for the team this year.

Who to Watch: David Teague is the best scorer on the squad. As a sophomore last year, he averaged 11.5 points per game. He has a great outside shot and creates tons of opportunities for himself with his penetration skills. At 6-5, Teague has become an excellent rebounder. He averaged 5.2 per outing last season. With Brandon McKnight running the point, the Boilermakers have the makings of a great backcourt combo.

Projected Conference Rank: Purdue’s defense will have to win games, at least until the new frontcourt develops a scoring option or two of their own. It isn’t the way anybody wants to see Keady leave Purdue, but an 8th place finish in the Big Ten is likely.

Projected Post-season Tournament: none

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Email Joel Welser: jwelser_chn@ameritech.net

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