Neither Ivey nor Williams were top 50 kids in their class. Again, their production exceeded their perceived talent out of high school. Either Coach Painter saw value in them that most others didn't or developed them into better players than most projected. Just because Ivey turned himself into a lottery pick doesn't mean he was viewed that way coming out of high school.You glossed over the fact they lost to a 16 seed, a 15 seed, and a 13 seed the last 3 years in the tourney. Pressure is on them for sure this year. Plus, they had Ivey (a lottery pick) and Trevion Williams so let’s not make them sound like a bunch of talentless, underdog teams playing at Purdue. I think this year they’ll deliver the goods and advance further in March, but the pressure is on to deliver when you have the back-to-back POY (assuming Edey wins again) and you’re ranked somewhere in the top 4 for virtually the whole season with a great record. If they’re a dud in March AGAIN, that is a reflection on the program and the coach.
Yes, this year is another opportunity and I hope for the best. But even if the worst happens and we lose in the first round again (which obviously is very unlikely) I know Painter still has my full support and the full support of most other Purdue fans I know. If fans of other programs think less of Purdue, so be it. Purdue fans control which narratives govern their program. Not anyone else. Painter has coached at Purdue for the better part of 20 years, not just the last 3. He's made it to the 2nd weekend 6 times in our last 12 tournaments. Even the loss to the 15 seed was in the Sweet Sixteen. And he was a miracle scramble play away from the Final Four, and perhaps a national championship as well, in 2019. So even if we were to end the season on a bad note again, I don't think 95+% of Purdue fans entertain any notion of Painter being on the hot seat.
My personal opinion is that if you keep getting to the 2nd weekend on a consistent basis, you'll find your way there eventually. I remember when coaches like Bo Ryan and Jay Wright were labeled as coaches that couldn't get it done in March and they both found their way. I also could name maybe a dozen coaches who have been to Final Four who I wouldn't let anywhere near a major head coaching position. And last year's Final Four was about as random a group as I can remember where none of the 1 seeds (or any top 3 seeds I believe) got there. Being a good team is an essential part of the equation, but it doesn't guarantee anything.