I don't care if you're a Purdue fan or not.
It really doesn't bother me.
But I'm going to write about Boilermaker basketball all year, and I dare you to come along for the ride.
Some of you know me from college football coverage. Hopefully I've done a decent job finding storylines and anecdotes that interest you in my "Carrying On" columns, even if they're not about your favorite team.
Some of you love college basketball, but you're not Purdue fans.
Some of you bleed "Old Gold and Black" like me.
Some of you just clicked on the headline because you like a good challenge, and the word "dare" grabbed your attention.
I don't care who you are—I want you to enjoy this column, and I plan to work hard to make sure you do.
"Carrying On about Purdue Basketball" is a weekly series that will be published on Bleacher Report this winter, bringing you game previews, recaps, exclusive quotes, interesting storylines, and everything else about Purdue University basketball.
To catch some of you up, Purdue is a preseason Top 10 team made up mostly of talented sophomores and juniors. Coach Matt Painter trains his squad to smother opponents with in-your-face halfcourt defense, and his style has led Purdue to surprising seasons and the NCAA tournament second round in back-to-back years.
Now the Boilermakers have the maturity and experience to challenge for a Big Ten championship and chase a Final Four berth.
Even if you don't like Purdue, I want you to get one toe on the bandwagon. Learn to appreciate the Boilers' defense and the individual storylines in a season that could be special.
If you're a Duke fan, reading about Purdue will help you know what to expect from the huge Big Ten/ACC Challenge game.
If you're a Davidson fan, you'll get a preview of a huge showdown in Indianapolis in December (and you're experienced with bandwagons already!).
If you're a Big Ten fan, you'll have a better understanding of one of the league's elite teams.
If you're a college basketball fan, you'll gain an appreciation of a hard-working group of guys that will be all over the ESPN and CBS airwaves for the next few months.
If you're a sports fan, I hope to tell a good enough story that you can enjoy reading this column each week, even if college basketball isn't "your thing," and if/when Purdue makes a magical run into March, you'll already know all the characters.
Let me beat Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg to the punch.
You see, I'm one of those guys that loves a good "behind-the-scenes" book about an interesting team. Whether they win it all or not, I like to get to know more about the players and coaches I'm watching.
John Feinstein has entertained me through countless plane rides and lazy afternoons with his stories about sports teams that I thought I understood, until I found out what really made them tick.
I'm not John Feinstein. Not even close.
And to be honest, I don't know yet how "behind the scenes" I'll get. Only time (and Bleacher Report's media contacts) will tell.
But I'm curious to see what happens if I write about Purdue basketball, not knowing how the ending will turn out until we get there. Consider this a season-in-review book that is getting published chapter-by-chapter before the season is ready to be reviewed.
The final chapters may not play out for four months in front of a national audience, but the story starts now.
I dare you to come on the ride for a season to remember (wow, it's hard to cross my fingers AND knock on wood while typing!).
I dare you to read about 2008-09 Purdue basketball.
The bandwagon is open.
Carrying On About Purdue Basketball is a weekly column for all sports fans...not necessarily limited to college hoops junkies or the Boilermaker faithful. The goal is to write an in-depth story about the 2008-09 Purdue season, with a new chapter coming each week. COAPB will usually be published each Friday on BleacherReport.com. Contact the writer, Tim Cary, at carryingonabout@yahoo.com.
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about 1 month ago
Oh man... I thought you were gonna talk about all college basketball... give us the DITR with teams like Liberty and High Point or give us some funny quotes that Lou Holtz said about Idaho's basketball being compared to Duke...
Oh well, I guess I'm gonna learn everything there is to know about Purdue basketball. Just please, don't turn into Isaac Luber. (Did you read that article? If not, you should)
from about 1 month ago
I wanted to write about all college basketball, but with how crazy our schedule is coaching high school, I don't have time to see enough games to do it justice. Watching just Purdue I can handle.
As far as the coverage, I'm biased, but I won't go overboard...hopefully things will be balanced and interesting for everyone!
Thanks for jumping on board, Brent!
about 1 month ago
I like a good dare, Tim. And this one is a whopper. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd read even two words about Purdue basketball. But your dare got my adrenalin running, and I damn near made it through this whole column. I'm not one to back down, so consider me in for now. Until the next dare...
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for taking me up on it, Dave! Glad I got you hooked!
I hope I'll hold up my end of the bargain, and I look forward to seeing your comments on the next article!
about 1 month ago
Ok, Tim, here's the deal. I'm a Notre Dame fan first.. IU basketball second.
IU lost a LOT of cool points when they hired Tom Crean.. a man I have grown to hate over the last few years (ND - Marq. is the biggest basketball rivalry you've never heard of).
I had decided to make Butler my second basketball team because they're essentially Indiana Jr. and I like mid-majors.
Here's the problem: I hate Purdue. I could have gotten PAID to attend Purdue and decided to go to ND (which was free, by the way).
I shall read your article. You have gained my football trust and therefore you've earned a reader. That being said, I might not always leave nice comments.
Good luck, sir.
from about 1 month ago
Appreciate the honesty, Tony! Glad I've earned your trust, and I hope I can at least convince you not to "hate" the Boilers as much...even if hoping that you'll "like" them someday may be too much to ask!
Thanks for coming along!
about 1 month ago
Here we go... I can't believe it's time for basketball already! Purdue is going to be tough this season. The Big Ten is going to be tough this season. I can't wait!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for reading, Kristofer! Look forward to hearing from you again in a week or so!
from about 1 month ago
The Big 10 tough? HA. I like Purdue and Michigan State from that conference. OSU will be good, Minnesota will be alright, same with Wisconsin. Michigan looked the last two nights, but overall that conference looks terribly weak on the bottom.
Tough belongs to the Big East and ACC this year.
from about 1 month ago
Jameson,
Tough belongs to the Big East and ACC most every year. That is not a new concept. The Big Ten may surprise you though. I wouldn't expect much from Northwestern, Penn State, and Indiana this season, but the other teams will all be fighting for positioin. The teams to beat are Purdue and MSU, no doubt about it. But OSU, Minnesota, and Wisconsin will challenge. Michigan, Iowa, and Illinois will be improved.
about 1 month ago
Yo Dude- Liked the write up. Grew up in WL and was a kid in the Rick Mount era- Would love to add a comment now and then as well as insight gleaned from years of boilermaker ups and downs.
Curtis Painter (QB) sucks-
Asta!
from about 1 month ago
Glad to have a fellow Boilermaker joining B/R. Look forward to hearing your thoughts throughout the season...thanks for reading, Frank!
about 1 month ago
Another very good article from a writer whom I seek out to read. You have a nice handle on reality in football and basketball and avoid following the herd. I am proud to have you in the B/R. Keep up the good work.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the kind words, BT! Appreciate you reading!
about 1 month ago
Tim, I will be watching and listening to all the games this year. I'll check back in to your article and let you know what I think. Go Boilers!
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