Rebounding could make or break Purdue's hopes

At 4 p.m. Friday, the most anticipated season in Purdue men's basketball history will begin to take shape when the Boilermakers stage their first official practice.

Robbie Hummel. E'Twaun Moore. JaJuan Johnson. Lewis Jackson. That's a great base from which to start. These Boilermakers are experienced, talented, confident and driven.

But as good as the 2009-2010 Purdue season was 29-6 with a share of the program's first regular-season Big Ten championship since 1996 its potential was snubbed in late February when Hummel suffered a season-ending knee injury during a victory at Minnesota.

While Hummel appears to be on track to have a great senior season he shot the ball extremely well each of the past two times I've watched individual workouts there are several other issues to be resolved if these Boilermakers will become legitimate Final Four contenders.

At the top of the list is rebounding. In each of Purdue's two most recent NCAA tournament defeats, it was dominated on the glass.

The second big question centers on who will help Johnson and Hummel on the front line. Patrick Bade's improvement is crucial.

Last but not least, who is the fifth starter? My money is on freshman guard Terone Johnson.

The fun begins Friday afternoon.