Carrying on About Purdue Basketball (Nov. 14): Where Do We Start?

If you're going to take the dare and read about Purdue basketball this year, we need to start somewhere.  And with the Boilermakers' first game scheduled for tonight against Detroit Mercy, it's time for our regularly scheduled Friday column.   MEET THE CHARACTERS Every good story has its main characters, and we should begin ours by making sure everyone is up to speed on Purdue's roster.  The Boilermakers return all five starters from last season's 25-9 team, although that doesn't mean they'll all start this time around. Chris Kramer is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.  He's tough, gritty, and an average jump shooter.  His job is to lock down the other team's best player.  Purdue's team defense is all about getting pressure and steals in the half-court, and if Kramer can consistently stifle the other team's best offensive option, defense becomes that much easier for the Boilers.  Defense is Purdue's trademark, and Chris Kramer is ... (link)