ANN ARBOR -- Michigan played Purdue three times last season, gaining familiarity with the Boilermakers and, after losing the first two meetings, beating them for the Big Ten Tournament title. That familiarity won't mean all that much when a vastly different Purdue team visits Crisler Center on Saturday (3:30, ESPN).
Michigan, which improved to 7-0 with Wednesday's dismantling of No. 11 North Carolina, opens Big Ten play with No. 19 Purdue.
The Boilermakers started four seniors last season. Isaac Haas left a 7-foot-2, 290-pound hole in the middle. All-around contributors Dakota Mathias and Vince Edwards are gone too.