Audio: Purdue Positive As Tourney Approaches

The Boiling Point: Purdue moving on without Barlow as Friday game against No. 14 St. Peter’s nears.

Following a couple of crazy days surrounding Purdue basketball, the players who will take the floor against No. 14 St. Peter’s looked as relaxed as ever in Chicago on Thursday.

Ryne Smith, D.J. Byrd, E’Twaun Moore and more joked about the rumors they heard surrounding a “mild concussion” suffered by Smith during Sunday’s practice that preceded the suspension of sophomore guard Kelsey Barlow. The two events were unrelated, but somehow got connected and rumors began to fly. There were no ball racks involved with Smith’s injury and the easy-going feel in the locker room was felt by teammates taping Lewis Jackson, JaJuan Johnson and Moore as media surrounded the three individually. As serious questions flew, the players laughed and walk-ons Bubba Day and Dru Anthrop competed in a game on the white board in the room.

Hear audio from Purdue’s players after the jump.

As for Smith’s injury, he caught an elbow in practice and was a bit woozy. He sat out a couple practices and passed a concussion test with flying colors and said on Thursday he feels “great.” He also mentioned that the media crowd looking for his thoughts throughout Purdue’s open locker room was the largest he’s ever experienced. “That was crazy,” Smith said to Purdue trainer Jeff Stein after shedding the final reporter.

As for Barlow, he is not with the team in Chicago and coach Matt Painter said he expects him to be with the Boilers next season as long as Barlow adheres to “some pretty strict parameters” that will be set forth after the season. Minus Barlow, Lewis Jackson’s minutes will increase and freshman Terone Johnson will be asked to carry a bigger load.

John Hart could factor in, but it’s unlikely given his role on the floor in recent weeks and his struggle with his surgically repaired foot. Hart said he’s been cleared to play on Friday and felt fine after returning to the floor, but it’s starting causing pain recently. During Purdue’s open practice on Thursday, Hart participated in some shooting, but was far from full speed.

Here are audio clips from the day’s happenings at the United Center.

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