While everyone expects Purdue to play big near the basket, the Boilermakers proved in their season opener that they may be capable of winning far away from it, too.
The No. 23 Boilermakers try to continue molding a winning formula without their best player against visiting Vermont on Sunday in the Naismith Hall of Fame Tipoff Classic.
Though the reasoning behind the absence of 7-footer A.J. Hammons remains unclear, Purdue still boasts 7-2 sophomore Isaac Haas and 6-9 freshman Caleb Swanigan - a McDonald's All-American - on a towering frontline expected to be the offensive focus.