Purdue: Senior Transfers Look To Make An Impact

Purdue went into the 2012-13 season without much of an identity after leader Robbie Hummel finally graduated. The team, which was led by Hummel and the rest of the Baby Boilers for the last few years, was suddenly a team loaded with youth and little experience. This of course caused some growing pains as the Boilermakers finished the year with a losing record and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since Matt Painter's first season. The turbulent season became even more problematic shortly after as three scholarship players all transferred out of the program, leaving Purdue with even more vacant scholarships available.

Due to the free space suddenly available, Purdue spent some time looking into the possibility of bringing in a couple senior transfers. While Purdue's most notable target, Evan Gordon, didn't seem interested when Purdue reached out, they eventually found two fifth year men to come to West Lafayette.

The first senior to transfer into Purdue was Errick Peck, an Indiana native who attended college previously at Cornell. The 6'6 forward averaged just less than 10 points per game and 5 rebounds per game in his last season at Cornell and has one more year of eligibility due to a knee injury that caused him to miss an earlier season. Peck was a relatively modest shooter at Cornell, making around 35% of his three pointers and almost 70% from the free throw line in his career. His numbers aren't staggering, but Purdue desperately needs to establish an outside shooting presence, as well as add some experience to the roster. As a fifth year senior Peck has been around the game long enough to bring some leadership to the table, though he'll be facing heavy competition for playing time.

Also joining Peck is senior Sterling Carter, a transfer out of Seattle. Carter's journey to Purdue has been interesting to say the least. The Seattle native originally committed to the University of Pacific, but ended up redshirting due to a knee injury. Carter would later transfer over to Seattle when he decided to return home to help take care of his uncle, who was told he only had a few months left to live (but would later make a full recovery). Carter was granted a hardship waiver and played immediately at Seattle, becoming an instant threat from beyond the arc. In his freshman season Carter converted on 36.8% of his 231 three pointers and scored 13.8 points per game. Unfortunately, Carter eventually fell out of rotation and left the program last season after the suggestion of his coach.

Carter ended up reaching out to multiple schools in attempt to find a place to finish out his eligibility, eventually deciding on Purdue. One of the main reasons Carter ended up at Purdue was the honesty from the coaching staff. "Coach Painter and his assistants told me that they weren't going to toot my horn...they told me the truth and gave me an opportunity," Carter claims. That honesty was definitely sincere, as Purdue will return three guards that started last season and add two freshmen that were both rated in the top 75 of the 2013 class per Rivals.

The turnover on Purdue's roster led to several open spots heading into the 2013-14 season. While both seniors joining the team this season will not be guaranteed any playing time and will need to earn their minutes, their presence is a clear attempt to help improve Purdue's shooting. Last season Purdue ranked ninth in three point shooting in the conference, a number that drops even lower without D.J. Byrd. The presence of Carter and Peck will bring in some additional play-makers from outside, something Purdue could have used throughout last season. Also, they should both add some vital experience to the table, which should benefit a Boilermaker squad that will feature ten freshmen and sophomores on the roster.