In a stroke of bad luck, Purdue’s senior leader Robbie Hummel has sustained another ACL tear to his surgically repaired right knee, forcing him to miss his entire senior year with the Boilermakers. The news comes on only the first day of official practice, with the Boilermakers predicted as one of our Preseason Top 5 Selections, and truly one of a handful of NCAA teams considered early favorites in the quest for the 2011 National Title.
Hummel has already undergone a grueling rehab this off-season after injuring his right knee in a game back in February and was just recently cleared to participate in basketball related activities. He also has had a history of back issues, although he has played in 92 games over his first 3 seasons as a Boilermaker, averaging 13 ppg, 6.6 rebs, and shooting 40% from behind the arc for his career.
Before injuring his knee in in a game against Big Ten foe Minnesota in late February, the 6‘8 and 230 lb Hummel was in the midst of his best season statistically by putting up a career high in scoring at 15.7 ppg, to go along with nearly 7 rebs and 2.1 assists and shooting 90% from the free throw line. To opposing defenses, he was regarded as one of the game’s best long range shooters, knocking down more than 36% on treys last season.
The loss of Hummel for the season all but diminishes the Boilermakers hopes of contending for a National Title. Without him last season, his teammates struggled, finishing the regular season with a 3-2 mark, before losing in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament to eventual champion Duke Blue Devils. With Hummel, many speculated that Purdue had an outside chance of securing a #1 seed in the Tourney and possibly making a deep run towards a National Title.
Hummel along with fellow seniors C JaJuan Johnson, last year’s leading scorer SG E’Twaun Moore, and junior PG Lewis Jackson were the core of a formidable trio for coach Matt Painter, that some considered the best in the nation. On the surface, the loss of Hummel appears devastating to a squad which should at least contend for the Big 10 Conference crown along with Michigan State and Ohio State. Now Purdue will undoubtedly look to underclassmen DJ Byrd, Patrick Bade, and Kyle Coleman, along with freshmen Travis Carroll and Sandi Marcius to replace Hummel’s front-court production.
The future is uncertain for Hummel as once a player suffers two severe injuries to the same knee within 8 months, they sometimes never regain their former high level of play. Never really considered an elite level NBA prospect because of only average athleticsm, Hummel was one of the shining stars on the NCAA circuit. As a 4 year scholar athlete, who always gave 100%, and was reportedly a model citizen on and off the court, Robbie who once graced the cover of EA Sports’ ’09 NCAA Basketball is a role model for today’s younger players. It’s just unfortunate that injuries may very well derail a promising career.
Check out a video of Hummel being interviewed by ESPN’s Dana O’Neil during rehab this Summer:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
