CHICAGO (AP) - Purdue will be short-handed Friday when they take the court for their NCAA tournament opener against St. Peter’s.
Backup guard Kelsey Barlow was suspended this week by coach Matt Painter for conduct detrimental to the team.
The Boilermakers did have some good news Thursday. Another backup guard, Ryne Smith, has been cleared to play after being hit in the head in practice and missing two days of drills.
Also cleared to play but still wearing a walking boot was guard John Hart, who hurt his foot during practice earlier in the week.
Without star Robbie Hummel, who was lost in the preseason to a knee injury, Purdue is used to dealing with adversity. Stars JuJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore have led the Boilers to a 25-win season and a No. 3 seed.
St. Peter’s (20-13) will be making the school’s third NCAA appearance and first since 1995.
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