WEST LAFAYETTE — Rapheal Davis refuses to go there.
Yes, Purdue’s junior guard knows the college basketball juggernaut that is No. 1 Kentucky looms just over the Midwest Regional horizon. He understands the opportunity to help Purdue produce one of the greatest upsets of the 21st Century.
There’s just one huge problem.
Cincinnati is the Boilers’ opening-round opponent on Thursday in Louisville. Any talk of Kentucky (34-0) and a potential Saturday matchup, is just a waste of good air.
“I don’t have any thoughts,” Davis says. “I’m just thinking about Cincinnati.”
Does center A.J. Hammons have Kentucky on his mind?
Not a public chance.
“We have to focus on Cincinnati,” he says. “You always have to focus on the first game, then worry about it if it happens.”
This is exactly the message coach Matt Painter wants delivered. The Boilers have won 14 straight opening-round NCAA tourney games — the fifth-longest streak in tourney history — and looking ahead isn’t part of the process.
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Still, Kentucky seems a lock to crush the winner between Hampton and Manhattan on Thursday and cruise into Saturday’s third round. Is Painter worried his Boilers will look ahead?
“I do not. Not for this team and where we are and where we’ve come from. We’ve really had to battle to get to this point. To look past anybody would be a real immature way to approach things.
“I talked to our guys about the respect I have for Cincinnati, how tough and hard-nosed their program is. I talked about locking in and focusing on them.”
There is plenty to focus on. The eighth-seeded Bearcats (22-10), who have won five of their last six games, thrive with defense and rebounding and efficient offense. While they don’t score much, their 45.3 percent shooting is the best of coach Mike Cronin’s era.
They have power with 6-10 forward Octavious Ellis and 6-7 Gary Clark. Ellis averages 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds. He has 66 blocks. Clark averages 7.9 points and 7.0 rebounds. He has 41 blocks.
Finesse comes from 6-4 guard Troy Caupain, the team’s top three-point threat at 43.1 percent. He averages 9.5 points and 3.5 assists. Shooting guard Farad Cobb averages 8.5 points.
Purdue guard Jon Octeus is well aware of Cincinnati’s potential. He considered the Bearcats last summer after deciding to transfer from Colorado State, and even made a visit.
“They are a hard-playing team,” he says. “That’s what they teach and preach. They’re a hard-nosed team. They’ll slow you down. They defend you. They rebound. They knock you down. It’s kind of like us.
“They have a great coaching staff and players. They are some really good guys on that team.”
Cincinnati also recruited Hammons.
“They’re a great team and program,” he says. “I loved my visit there. I know they work hard. We have to be very prepared.”
The ninth-seeded Boilers (21-12) are in this position after consecutive losing seasons, which coincided with Davis’ arrival. Then an 8-5 non-conference record put them on the brink of NCAA tourney elimination before January.
Now that they’re back in the March Madness picture, Davis says, they want to make the most of it.
“It’s not pressure. It’s just a game. It’s what we love to do. It’s not life or death. It’s a time to have fun with your brothers.”
And one other thing. Octeus set the tone when Purdue’s name was announced in the NCAA tourney field Sunday night. He jumped up and said, “Let’s go to work.”
And so the Boilers have.