It's Signing Day!

It’s signing day for college basketball programs around the country. Matt Painter and his Purdue staff put together one of the top classes in the Big Ten last season and today they will get the signature’s of a couple of key recruits.

Lewis Jackson, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound, point guard, from Decatur (Ill.) St. Theresa is a Scout.com 3-star prospect with lightning quickness, can create and also make plays off the dribble.

Jackson will be joined in this class by sharp shooter, Ryne Smith, a 6-foot-3, 175-pounder, from Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer.

“I plan on signing first thing this morning,” Lewis Jackson told the Boiler Sports Report. “My coach, my family and my friends will all be with me at school when I sign. I can’t wait to be a Boiler. I love the direction of the program, I feel I can come in and be a great compliment to E’Twaun (Moore).

“Coach (Paul) Lusk was the coach who was responsible for recruiting me and we have a great relationship. Coach Lusk is a guy who is very honest and upfront. Purdue is starting to hit on all cylinders as a basketball program and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Smith also plans at signing at school this morning and like Jackson, he can’t wait to start knocking down three’s for the Black & Gold.

“Coach Painter is a great guy and I knew that Purdue was the place for me when I went on my visit. The players and the coaches are all down-to-earth guys who are easy to get along with.

“Coach Painter and the rest of the coaching staff will get the best out of me and make me a better basketball player and they’ll also make me a better student and person.”

Scout.com national recruiting-analyst Dave Telep had this to say about Purdue’s early recruiting class.

“Coming off the strongest class in the Big Ten a year ago, Matt Painter followed up the effort by adding depth and acquiring two players recruited to play specific roles.

“Ryne Smith is a straight up zone buster. His role comes as a sniper on the perimeter.

“Lewis Jackson is a hard nosed point guard who will give Painter a backup option behind Etwaun Moore.

“Purdue took a big swing for Tyler Zeller, didn’t get him and you can bet the groundwork is being laid for a big class in 2009.”