Purdue facing tough win over Siena

SPOKANE, Wash. (WISH) - It feels like Groundhog Day for Purdue, back in the great northwest to ply in the NCAA tournament.

Last year in Portland, Oregon the Boilers beat Northern Iowa and Washington on the way to the sweet sixteen. Now, it’s Spokane, Washington where Purdue hopes to get the same result, but will have a tougher time.

Not only is star Rob Hummel out, but E'Twaun Moore hurt his ankle last Saturday, and point guard Lewis Jackson had his surgically repaired foot stepped on, and has been wearing a walking boot ever since.

24-Hour News 8 was there at the team hotel in Spokane when the team arrived, and there were no smiles, Jackson was in his boot, but Thursday is the real test.

Purdue not only has a closed practice in town, but an open workout at the arena around 4:30 p.m. eastern time. That will be the first time the media sees how both players have progressed.

"Lewis hasn't practiced every day since his injury, he rests it, but I think he'll be okay and will be ready on Friday," said Head Coach Matt Painter.

Expectations, once so high for this big ten championship team are now about as low as they can be. It’s tough to see for such a hard-working group.