WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — His team had just whipped Illinois by 17 points, rallying after trailing in the first half.
Purdue coach Matt Painter was asked about the Illini and he stressed patience for Brad Underwood's team. Illinois struggled against Boiler big guy Matt Haarms.
"From a future standpoint, help's coming," he said. "They have a big kid they've got coming their way (6-foot-10 commit Kofi Cockburn)."
Painter knows what second-year coach Underwood is going through. Now moving far up the career wins list, Painter got off to a rough start in West Lafayette, Ind.
His first team went 9-19, including a 3-13 finish in the Big Ten.