I like Purdue to hold home court and cover the 4pt spread....
Kilgore provides help off bench
Purdue senior remains a team leader, even if he doesn't start games on the court.
By Michael Pointer
michael.pointer@indystar.com
February 5, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- "Darmetreis Kilgore" and "senior leader." Not exactly the name and description Gene Keady figured to be putting together one year ago.
But the Purdue coach has used that combination more than once as the Boilermakers have surged to the top of the Big Ten standings going into tonight's game against Wisconsin.
"He wants to win," Keady said of Kilgore. "He wants to be part of something special."
That's true though Kilgore is filling a role no one expected. Instead of big-time scorer, he's a key player off the bench.
"I just try to lead by example and bust my tail," he said. "I just want to let the guys know that, regardless if I'm playing, I'm still going to have to go after you hard in practice."
Kilgore came to Purdue after an all-America sophomore season at Tyler (Texas) Junior College. The Purdue coaches expected him to make an immediate impact.
Instead, Kilgore was eventually removed from the starting lineup. Like many of his teammates, he struggled defensively and with shot selection. Kilgore hit just 38.9 percent of his shots from the field.
Keady even asked Kilgore if he had watched the coach's television show while growing up in South Bend because Kilgore wasn't doing the things expected of a Purdue player.
"I found out he didn't (watch)," Keady joked. "That made me feel better.
"I think he thought we didn't want him here. That wasn't the case . . . We wanted him to play right and we wanted him to use his talents he had toward team play and not hunt shots, and play hard on defense and be a rebounder."
Kilgore's character was tested early this season. He was expected to start the opener against Miami of Ohio but missed the game after breaking his shooting hand. He returned against Louisville eight days later, but Keady had decided on a three-guard starting lineup of Brandon McKnight, Kenneth Lowe and Willie Deane.
Kilgore started two games when McKnight was out because a hamstring injury. But with the Boilers playing well and the McKnight-Lowe-Deane trio proving effective, Keady has been reluctant to change the lineup.
Plus, he likes that Kilgore can enter the game and give the Boilers another offensive weapon.
"I'm fine with it," said Kilgore, averaging 7.2 points and 17 minutes per game. "We're winning. It's hard because you want to be in the mix as a senior. But I just do what I can to help the team win."
Purdue forward Chris Booker, who played with Kilgore for one season at Tyler, credits Kilgore for easing his transition to Division I.
"He told me to just listen to coach, be a lot more patient and forget about what happened at JUCO," Booker said.
Having Kilgore play with the reserves in practice has made the Purdue starters better, Deane said.
"I think one of the reasons coach put him on the Gold squad (the top five reserves) is that he goes at it with us," said Deane, the Boilers' leading scorer. "He's definitely capable of starting and probably could start on any other team in the Big Ten. But he's accepted what he's doing."
Though his playing time has been cut, Kilgore hasn't given up on his goal of reaching the NBA. Keady wouldn't be surprised if it happened, noting the 6-5 Kilgore has the long arms, strong hands and quickness that many NBA scouts covet.
"Down the line, I'm going to make my dreams come true," Kilgore said.
Purdue's dream of winning the Big Ten title can get another boost tonight if it keeps its streak going against Wisconsin. The Badgers have not won at Mackey Arena since 1972, a span of 27 games.
Wisconsin, which is led by all-Big Ten performer Kirk Penney, has seldom come to West Lafayette with a team this talented. The Badgers utilize a unique "swing" offense, in which nearly every player is required to post up. It has confounded opponents since coach Bo Ryan's arrival two years ago.
"They may be the best team in the Big Ten right now," Keady said. "They've probably played within their system better than any team in the league."
If Purdue wins tonight, the Boilers will have a one-game lead over idle Michigan (13-8, 6-2). If Wisconsin wins, there will be a three-way tie for first between the Boilers, Badgers and Wolverines.
Kilgore provides help off bench
Purdue senior remains a team leader, even if he doesn't start games on the court.
By Michael Pointer
michael.pointer@indystar.com
February 5, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- "Darmetreis Kilgore" and "senior leader." Not exactly the name and description Gene Keady figured to be putting together one year ago.
But the Purdue coach has used that combination more than once as the Boilermakers have surged to the top of the Big Ten standings going into tonight's game against Wisconsin.
"He wants to win," Keady said of Kilgore. "He wants to be part of something special."
That's true though Kilgore is filling a role no one expected. Instead of big-time scorer, he's a key player off the bench.
"I just try to lead by example and bust my tail," he said. "I just want to let the guys know that, regardless if I'm playing, I'm still going to have to go after you hard in practice."
Kilgore came to Purdue after an all-America sophomore season at Tyler (Texas) Junior College. The Purdue coaches expected him to make an immediate impact.
Instead, Kilgore was eventually removed from the starting lineup. Like many of his teammates, he struggled defensively and with shot selection. Kilgore hit just 38.9 percent of his shots from the field.
Keady even asked Kilgore if he had watched the coach's television show while growing up in South Bend because Kilgore wasn't doing the things expected of a Purdue player.
"I found out he didn't (watch)," Keady joked. "That made me feel better.
"I think he thought we didn't want him here. That wasn't the case . . . We wanted him to play right and we wanted him to use his talents he had toward team play and not hunt shots, and play hard on defense and be a rebounder."
Kilgore's character was tested early this season. He was expected to start the opener against Miami of Ohio but missed the game after breaking his shooting hand. He returned against Louisville eight days later, but Keady had decided on a three-guard starting lineup of Brandon McKnight, Kenneth Lowe and Willie Deane.
Kilgore started two games when McKnight was out because a hamstring injury. But with the Boilers playing well and the McKnight-Lowe-Deane trio proving effective, Keady has been reluctant to change the lineup.
Plus, he likes that Kilgore can enter the game and give the Boilers another offensive weapon.
"I'm fine with it," said Kilgore, averaging 7.2 points and 17 minutes per game. "We're winning. It's hard because you want to be in the mix as a senior. But I just do what I can to help the team win."
Purdue forward Chris Booker, who played with Kilgore for one season at Tyler, credits Kilgore for easing his transition to Division I.
"He told me to just listen to coach, be a lot more patient and forget about what happened at JUCO," Booker said.
Having Kilgore play with the reserves in practice has made the Purdue starters better, Deane said.
"I think one of the reasons coach put him on the Gold squad (the top five reserves) is that he goes at it with us," said Deane, the Boilers' leading scorer. "He's definitely capable of starting and probably could start on any other team in the Big Ten. But he's accepted what he's doing."
Though his playing time has been cut, Kilgore hasn't given up on his goal of reaching the NBA. Keady wouldn't be surprised if it happened, noting the 6-5 Kilgore has the long arms, strong hands and quickness that many NBA scouts covet.
"Down the line, I'm going to make my dreams come true," Kilgore said.
Purdue's dream of winning the Big Ten title can get another boost tonight if it keeps its streak going against Wisconsin. The Badgers have not won at Mackey Arena since 1972, a span of 27 games.
Wisconsin, which is led by all-Big Ten performer Kirk Penney, has seldom come to West Lafayette with a team this talented. The Badgers utilize a unique "swing" offense, in which nearly every player is required to post up. It has confounded opponents since coach Bo Ryan's arrival two years ago.
"They may be the best team in the Big Ten right now," Keady said. "They've probably played within their system better than any team in the league."
If Purdue wins tonight, the Boilers will have a one-game lead over idle Michigan (13-8, 6-2). If Wisconsin wins, there will be a three-way tie for first between the Boilers, Badgers and Wolverines.
