Purdue Boilermakers: Kelsey Barlow Suspended for the NCAA Tournament

It was announced today that 6'5" Purdue point guard Kelsey Barlow will be suspended for the postseason due to conduct detrimental to the team.

In an interview with the Journal and Courier, coach Matt Painter said, "We’re committed to helping our players develop both on and off the court.  This is unfortunate and disappointing, but we’ll move forward as a team.”

Barlow was Purdue's sixth man and a great defender.  He is recognized by many as the most athletic player on the team, and brings a whole new dimension to the point guard position with his quickness and height. 

Purdue will have to move on without him and to do that, they need someone else to step up.

It will be very important for junior point guard Lewis Jackson to stay out of foul trouble and be able to play most of the game.

Purdue will need freshman guard Terrone Johnson to step up and continue giving the team productive minutes if this Purdue team wants to go far in the tournament.

No doubt this is a huge blow to the Boilermaker team that does not have a lot of height to begin with, but at least it happened at the guard position, where Purdue is very deep.

Even though this is a major loss, do not count to Boilermakers out, as they still have the tools to make a run at the title.

James Evens serves as a National Featured Columnist for college football and basketball, as well as the FC for the Purdue Boilermakers.  Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.