Purdue is Now Robbie Hummel's Team
As a freshman in 2007-2008, Purdue forward Robbie Hummel played a respectable 28.5 minutes per game. His percentage shooting splits were an impressive .484/.865/.447 from the floor, the foul line and the three point line. He averaged 11 points and six rebounds per game: a very solid, impactful freshman player.
As a sophomore the following season, Mr. Hummel’s counting stats went up while his percentages all went down. He was playing a bit more and producing a bit more, but not as efficiently. He was trying to turn himself into a go-to player and these things take time.
In 2009-10, as a veteran junior, Hummel played over 30 minutes per game. He averaged 11 field goal attempts per game and turned that into 15.7 points/game. He shot over 90% from the free throw line and took down just a tick under seven rebounds per contest. Robbie Hummel was a focal point on a very good Boilermakers squad until he tore his ACL in late February. Purdue was without him for the NCAA Tournament and fell short of their Final Four goals. Hummel still went on to make All-Big Ten and received an All-American honorable mention to boot.
In 2010, just nearly a year ago today, with Purdue coming into the season poised to make waves being a preseason top five team, Robbie Hummel re-tore his ACL in practice. He missed the entire 2010-11 season.
Purdue had a reasonable season without one of their main stars. Behind seniors JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore, the Boilermakers once again made the NCAA Tournament but lost in the second round to Cinderella VCU. With Hummel, who knows how far they may have gone.
Now with Johnson and Moore gone, the team is officially Hummel’s. He is back healthy and ready to lead this team. They will not be as talented as what could have been last year but Hummel has improved each season he has played for the school. Assuming his knee holds up, there is nothing to say his fifth year, senior season will not be his best one yet and, perhaps, Purdue’s deepest trip in March Madness since Hummel joined the team.
Read the in-depth preview for Purdue basketball
