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A.J. Hammons yet to play for Purdue this season

A.J. Hammons

AP Photo

AP

One of the major reasons that Purdue has been picked as a preseason top 25 team and a sleeper in the Big Ten this season is due to their front line.

The biggest presence on that front line? A.J. Hammons, a first round talent when he’s locked in that averaged 11.9 points, 6.6 boards and 2.8 blocks as a junior last season.

Only, Hammons hasn’t played for the Boilermakers this season. He sat out Purdue’s only exhibition game and warmed up but didn’t play in Purdue’s blowout win over North Carolina A&T on Friday night.

Head coach Matt Painter did not comment on Hammons’ status on Friday, although he has previously told reporters that the 7-footer is being held out because “he just has to take care of some business.”

“He still has come things he’s got to get taken care of,” Painter said last week. “Hopefully he can play, hopefully in the first game, but we’ll see. It’s just some internal stuff.”

When asked if he’s worried about Hammons’ availability, Painter said, “I’m not putting much stock into it.”