Monday, December 6, 2010

Purdue needs a third scorer -- again

During Purdue’s game on Saturday against Alabama, I made the observation on Twitter than sixth man John Hart was providing a much-needed third scoring option behind JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore.

Now, someone else will need to step up, as Hart will miss four-to-six weeks with a stress fracture in his right foot.

“John has made tremendous strides during his time at Purdue,” head coach Matt Painter said in a release. “It's difficult to see him hindered by something out of his control. The No. 1 priority now is to get him healthy so he can come back stronger than before and continue to help our team.”

Hart was the Boilermakers’ third-leading scorer, averaging 8.4 points in 17.0 minutes. Purdue is already without Robbie Hummel, who suffered a knee injury in October and will miss the season. Moreover, part-time starter D.J. Byrd played only two minutes against Alabama with a shoulder injury.

Without Hart, Purdue badly needs someone to step up and take the scoring burden off Moore and Johnson. Guards Terone Johnson, Kelsey Barlow and Ryne Smith have all shown flashes, but at least one has to provide consistency.

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