Nojel Eastern
FILE - Purdue head coach Matt Painter gestures during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers in West Lafayette, Ind., in this March 7, 2020 file photo. Painter, like other conference coaches, is still waiting to see a final schedule. But he's already making contingency plans for what he expects to be a season full of adjustments. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Williams likely to play bigger role for young Boilermakers

By Michael Marot Nov. 10, 2020 04:53 PM EST

Purdue's top defender to enter basketball transfer portal

May. 12, 2020 07:35 PM EDT
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — First, Nojel Eastern entered his name in the NBA draft. Now the rising senior has put his name into the NCAA's transfer portal. ...

Purdue guard Nojel Eastern (20) shoots over Michigan guard Zavier Simpson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Michigan extends winning streak with rare victory at Purdue

By Michael Marot Feb. 22, 2020 05:43 PM EST

Purdue guard Sasha Stefanovic reacts after making the winning three-point basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Stefanovic's 3 gives Purdue a 61-58 win over Northwestern

By Patrick Rose Feb. 02, 2020 01:02 AM EST

Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50) and Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) go for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Illinois defeated Purdue 79-62. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 21 Illinois runs away in 2nd half to sweep Purdue

By Michael Marot Jan. 21, 2020 10:27 PM EST

Maryland guard Anthony Cowan Jr. (1) drives against Purdue forward Trevion Williams during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Smith scores 18 and No. 17 Maryland holds off Purdue 57-50

By David Ginsburg Jan. 18, 2020 05:48 PM EST

Michigan State guard Rocket Watts (2) drives on Purdue guard Isaiah Thompson (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue defense bottles up No. 8 Spartans in 71-42 upset

By Michael Marot Jan. 12, 2020 02:16 PM EST

Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50 shoots over Minnesota center Daniel Oturu (25) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Purdue defeated Minnesota 83-78 in double overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Haarms scores 26 points, Purdue beats Minnesota 83-78 2OT

Mark Ambrogi Jan. 02, 2020 10:13 PM EST

Purdue forward Evan Boudreaux goes to the basket against Ohio forward Slyvester Ogbonda during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Athens, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Purdue rebounds from conference loss, downs Ohio 69-51

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 17, 2019 11:14 PM EST

Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50) drives to the basket defended by Jacksonville State forward Martin Roub during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
Purdue overpowers Jacksonville State 81-49

By Mark Ambrogi Nov. 23, 2019 10:16 PM EST

Texas forward Royce Hamm Jr. (5) gets his hand on the shot of Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Longhorns use strong finish to pull upset at No. 23 Purdue

By Michael Marot Nov. 09, 2019 09:38 PM EST

Purdue guard Eric Hunter Jr. (2) shoots over Green Bay guard PJ Pipes (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Revamped backcourt helps No. 23 Purdue get past Green Bay

By Michael Marot Nov. 06, 2019 09:11 PM EST

FILE - In this March 30, 2019, file photo, Purdue's Matt Haarms (32) is defended by Virginia's Mamadi Diakite (25) during the first half of a regional final against Virginia in the NCAA college basketball tournament in Louisville, Ky. The Boilermakers could revert to their big lineup with 7-foot-3 center Matt Haarms, 270-pound power forward Trevon Williams, 6-9 small forward Aaron Wheeler and 6-7 guard Nojel Eastern. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Purdue hoping to add new chapter in replacement story

By Michael Marot Oct. 23, 2019 02:59 PM EDT

Kentucky's Tyler Herro, left, looks to pass as he is guarded by Wofford's Fletcher Magee (3) during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NCAA Latest: Auburn trounces Kansas to reach Sweet 16

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2019 12:19 PM EDT

Purdue's head coach Matt Painter smiles during a news conference at the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Friday, March 22, 2019, in Hartford, Conn. Purdue will play Villanova on Saturday. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
South Region: In 'rebuilding' years, Purdue, 'Nova excel

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 22, 2019 08:49 PM EDT

Old Dominion's Kalu Ezikpe (22) blocks a shot by Purdue's Carsen Edwards (3) as Purdue's Grady Eifert (24) and Old Dominion's B.J. Stith (3) look on during the first half of a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Edwards leads Purdue past ODU 61-48 in 1st round of NCAA

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 22, 2019 12:25 AM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, March 15, 2019, file photo, Purdue head coach Matt Painter directs his top team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Chicago. In a landscape where one-and-done or two-and-done players have become all the rage, Painter has largely ignored the trend by building Purdue’s program with players who expect to stay four years and cherish a degree. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Purdue uses Painter's old-school plan to overcome departures

By Michael Marot Mar. 19, 2019 07:44 PM EDT

Northwestern forward Vic Law (4) is checked by after he was injured during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue, Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. Purdue won 70-57. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Edwards scores 21, No. 11 Purdue beats Northwestern 70-57

By Andrew Seligman Mar. 09, 2019 04:48 PM EST

Minnesota's guard Amir Coffey reacts after scoring against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 73-69. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Coffey's 32 points help Minnesota down No. 11 Purdue 73-69

By Dave Campbell Mar. 06, 2019 12:22 AM EST

Nebraska guard James Palmer Jr. (0) drives past Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 15 Purdue beats 'Huskers 81-62 for 8th straight win

By Michael Marot Feb. 09, 2019 10:44 PM EST