College Hoops Top 50

Last Year: 34-5; 17-3, Big Ten Conference regular season champions, lost in the national championship game of the NCAA Tournament

Head Coach: Matt Painter (20th Year; 447-203 at Purdue, with 15 NCAA Tournament appearances)

Projected Starting Lineup

PG Braden Smith – 6’0″, 170 Junior

G Foster Loyer – 6’5″, 180 Junior

G Gicarri Harris – 6’3″, 200 Freshman / Top 100 recruit

F Trey Kauffman-Renn – 6’9″, 230 Junior

C William Berg – 7’2″, 260 Sophomore

Experienced Reserves

W Myles Colvin – 6’5″, 205 Sophomore

W Cameron Heide – 6’7″, 205 Sophomore

F Brian Waddell – 6’7″, 195 Junior

F Caleb Furst – 6’10”, 235 Senior

Freshmen

G CJ Cox – 6’3″, 200

G Jack Benter – 6’5″, 210

F/C Raleigh Burgess – 6’11”, 240

C Daniel Jacobsen – 7’4″, 230 / Top 50 recruit

If not for the buzz saw called UConn, Purdue would have had a genuine dream season last winter. As it was, the Boilermakers still had a pretty fantastic time. Behind two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey, Purdue won the Big Ten regular season title (for the second year in a row), tallied 34 victories, and played in the national championship game for the first time since 1968-69. 

It was a whole lot of fun, but Edey is in the NBA now, and the Boilers must move on without him. Fortunately for the folks in West Lafayette, Matt Painter still has some dudes coming back who have proven a thing or two. Despite losing not only Edey but two of the team’s other top five scorers, Purdue returns a core of very talented players who are all juniors or younger. 

It’s enough to have Purdue thinking about three straight Big Ten titles. Thing is, not only will this bunch not have the most dominant force in the country anymore – the Big Ten has gotten bigger, too. Can the Boilers make the needed adjustments to remain one of America’s best teams?

Braden Smith is the next Purdue legend, a local product who has done nothing but improve since he stepped onto the floor in West Lafayette. Smith has started every game the Boilermakers have played since he arrived, and after being named to the B1G All-Freshman team as a rookie, Smith became one of the country’s best point guards as a sophomore. For his efforts last year, Smith was named first-team All-Big Ten. This fall, the conference’s coaches and media think he’s likely to become the B1G Player of the Year. Coming off of a season in which he led the league and ranked second nationally in assists per game, Smith will truly be the straw that stirs the Boilermakers’ drink. 

Though he’s small, Smith plays a complete game. After setting the team’s freshman record for assists, he handed out more total helpers and more of them per contest than anyone in school history a year ago. At 6’0″, Smith was second on the team in rebounding last winter and grabbed the fifth-most defensive rebounds of any Big Ten player. He made the tenth-most free throws in the league, averaged 34.0 minutes per game (seventh), picked off 1.6 steals per game (sixth), and shot an outstanding 43.1% from the land of trey. He plays with good pace and patience, and by virtue of playing with Edey, Smith feeds the post very smoothly. Coming off of a freshman season which ended with opponents pressing Purdue into submission, Smith improved his overall decision-making as a sophomore. He still ended up third in the league in turnovers per game, and that will bear watching as opponents shift their focus to stopping him at all costs. 

There were plenty of questions raised last fall about exactly how good the Boiler backcourt could be. By way of answer, Smith and his buddies often came up huge against the best competition. Examples? How about back-to-back neutral-court wins over Alabama and Arizona which saw Smith go for 53 points and ten assists combined. Against Michigan State at the start of February, Smith kept the Boilers out ahead for the win by hitting all four of his triple tries and potting 23 points, and against Gonzaga in the Sweet Sixteen, Smith posted 14 points while handing out 15 assists. His three-point, five-turnover, 1-of-9 shooting day in a close win over NC State in the Final Four wasn’t as inspiring, though. In some ways, Smith will have to prove himself all over again this year. For all the time Smith spent on the pick-and-roll (59.0% of his possessions, largely featuring Edey on the other end), he only averaged 0.824 points per possession, per Synergy Sports. As extraordinary as he’s been so far, Smith has never been without Edey to look for inside. His trajectory through two years has been meteoric, and now Smith will be looking to add more to his repertoire and establish himself as a headliner in his own right.  

Smith’s freshman classmate Fletcher Loyer has been a strong option on the perimeter in his first two seasons. Now, the Boilermakers are looking forward to Loyer taking a page out of Smith’s book and growing into a more complete guard. Against Tennessee and Arizona early last year, Loyer went off for 27 points twice. Those would be his only 20+ scoring games of the year, though. Veteran Lance Jones came up big often down the stretch as Loyer began to occupy more of a supporting role, and over Purdue’s final 16 games, Loyer averaged just 8.9 points. He did so while shooting 46.7% from downtown and handing out 2.3 assists per contest, though, and Loyer scored in double figures in four straight NCAA Tournament games as the Boilermakers made their run. 

While Loyer hasn’t been the team’s top scorer very often, his reputation as a deep threat is well established nonetheless, and this winter he’s going to have a green light. Across his first two years, Loyer has dropped in 122 triples and made them at a 37.8% rate. After trying just 3.6 triples per game as a sophomore, if Loyer can repeat his 44.4% mark from deep over more like a half dozen attempts each night, he could rise quite quickly. Additionally, Loyer sees the floor well, is a very capable passer, and is savvy enough that he can take his turn running the show. Once opponents realized that pressure man defense was something which Loyer and Smith weren’t entirely ready for as rookies, he began to make adjustments. Overall, Loyer has posted a strong 160:88 assist to turnover ratio in his collegiate career. He’s a natural as a playmaking, three-point-drilling off-guard, and Purdue can look forward to more good ball movement and deep balls this winter. 

Trey Kauffman-Renn is the third starter who’s coming back from last year. While be hasn’t put up big numbers like the young guards have taken turns doing, there was a simple reason why: Edey owned the paint for Purdue, and ‘TKR’ wasn’t consistently fed the rock while that was going on. Now that Painter & Co are in search of a new go-to post scorer, Kauffman-Renn will be given his chance. A smooth, experienced big who saw what worked for Edey the past few years up close, Kauffman-Renn offers his own blend of skills and has the scoring versatility to take a leap up the team’s pecking order. While he can shoot three’s, Purdue’s coaches want to see Kauffman-Renn become a low-post weapon that the guards can feed and feed inside. He’s got great feet, can spin smoothly towards the basket on either side of the lane after backing in, and Kauffman-Renn possesses a deft touch close to the cup. 

Through two seasons, Kauffman-Renn has made 70.5% of his shot attempts near the rim, per Bart Torvik – a great place to start. With his developing arsenal on offense, Kauffman-Renn may also offer the best floor-spacing potential of Painter’s young bigs. In addition to his budding deep range, TKR hit a solid 40.7% from mid-range as a sophomore. With his effectiveness as a silky scorer, Kauffman-Renn can confound defenders by attacking the rack on one possession and then stepping back to drain a jumper the next time. He will have to do more on the glass and defensively this year, too, as Purdue has gotten very used to have a veritable mountain between the rim and opposing scorers. A consensus Top 50 recruit three years ago, Kauffman-Renn first redshirted and then averaged 11.3 minutes per contest last year as a freshman. Last year, his run was bumped up to 17.0 per; this winter, TKR is hoping to be on the court for 25+ minutes each night, and how reliably he makes a big impact at both ends will be the biggest factor in reaching that goal. 

Camden Heide and Myles Colvin are returning sophomores who add some legit athleticism to the rotation and can pop from deep. They rounded out Purdue’s usual rotation a year ago, and especially after the new year, they were revealed as very useful matchup variables. 

A big, quick, bouncy guard, Colvin can score above the rim or by creating his own looks from the perimeter and lots of places inside the arc. At times, if Edey was being smothered and the outside jumpers were not falling, Purdue occacionally struggled to score last year. Colvin is the type of guy to look for in those moments. He changes direction and accelerates smoothly, and Colvin has a solid handle with quick and explosive footwork to match. The form on his shot is becoming very repeatable and Colvin should only earn more room to shoot as he drives and sails past defenders on his way to the rim. With a wiry-strong 6’6″ frame and nearly seven-foot wingspan, Colvin has tremendous defensive potential as well. His slashes to the goal should only be more dangerous this year, and if Colvin can show off the mid-range jumper he’s flashed in summer practices, he could quickly become one of Purdue’s top scoring options. 

Five Stats Which Tell The Tale (with national ranks)

82.3 – Points Per Game (15th)

13.7 – Personal Fouls Per Game (10th)

20.3 – Opponent Personal Fouls Per Game (5th)

18.5 – Assists Per Game (5th)

40.4% – Team 3FG Percentage (2nd)

Folks who hadn’t been familiar with Heide’s game found out when he thundered home a putback against UConn which was surely among the best dunks of last year’s NCAA Tournament. Though he’s barely scratched the surface of his overall game, Heide is already one of the most dangerous dunkers in the Big Ten. At 6’7″ and getting stronger, Heide can slash to the goal with genuine authority. Making matters worse for the opposition, his 45.0% rate on 18 made triples a year ago means that defenders have to close out like they mean it when Heide looks to shoot. As a freshman, Heide largely looked to shoot three’s or drive to the rim, and that’s an approach which can continue to bear fruit given the great passers on his side who will get him spot-up chances and throw plenty of lobs. After playing a deep reserve role for two years, Brian Waddell will also be looking for more run on the wing. 

Though Colvin and Heide will play larger roles this year, Painter has experimented with a new version of three-guard lineup this fall. 4-star freshman Gicarri Harris has been the one running alongside Smith and Loyer, and he’s looked good doing so. Strong, long, quick, and most of all composed, Harris doesn’t really seem like a freshman. Maybe that’s because he’s a chip off the old block – Harris is the son of former Purdue legend and longtime NBA star Glenn ‘Big Dog’ Robinson. With his sturdy frame and patient, highly aware approach, Harris looks like he’s ready to roll at both ends of the floor. He’s confident with the ball in his hands, and though more of a scoring guard, Harris is still a good and unselfish passer. He’s a very good shooter, and his quickness getting off a good look makes Harris dangerous all over the perimeter. His drive game isn’t quite on the same level yet, but Harris is plenty tough to work his way into the lane. That toughness is plain to see on defense as well. All in all, Harris is the sort of young player who already does a bunch of winning things, and will play a lot right away. 

Fourth-year Caleb Furst has the talent and versatile skillset of a prototype modern big, but he played the smallest role of his career last season. At his best, Furst can step out to the perimeter and bury jumpers or work through contact inside for boards and baskets. After averaging 4.8 points and 3.9 rebounds on 53.4% shooting over his first two years, though, Furst fell off as a junior while his teammates ascended. It was clearly tough to endure, but Furst remained a loyal soldier and played hard as ever when he got onto the floor. He was stuck between positions a bit due to Edey occupying the pivot, but it’s hoped that this winter, Furst can step forward again. 

Folks who hadn’t been familiar with Heide’s game found out when he thundered home a putback against UConn

Purdue has the strongest reputation of any program in the country for developing huge youngsters with skill into some of the nation’s best post players. Painter has kept the cupboard well-stocked, and longtime assistant Brandon Brantley deserves kudos for continuing to help the kids grow into monsters. This year should see the first steps of another journey, as the Boilermakers have another pair of promising well-over-seven-footers on the rise. 

Swedish sophomore Will Berg took a redshirt two years ago and got his feet wet as a deep reserve last season. Now, though it will be a big jump, the 7’2″ Berg will get his shot at being the man in the middle. Though he’s been on campus for awhile, nobody has seen a great deal of Berg in live game action; he played just 52 minutes across parts of 14 contests a year ago. What’s known is that Berg has soft hands, developing strength, and has flashed deft footwork against overmatched opponents. If he can hang defensively with Big Ten veterans, the rest of Berg’s game will be able to come into focus. 

Two of Purdue’s top freshman signees will also battle for significant minutes in the post this winter. One of the fastest-rising prospects in the country over the past year, Daniel Jacobsen is a burgeoning 7’3″ menace in the paint. Not only did he swiftly climbed the recruiting rankings late in the spring, Jacobsen followed it up with a star showing for Team USA’s U18 national team this summer.

At the FIBA AmeriCup tournament, Jacobsen helped America to win gold, starting each of the team’s six games and averaging 9.2 points along with 7.0 rebounds along the way. Oh, one more thing – in the just 16.3 minutes per game he played over those six contests, Jacobsen swatted 19 shots (3.2 per) – a U18 national team record. His face-up game is well on its way, and Jacobsen can hit three’s. At times, scouts have questioned his will to dominate, but lately those questions have ceased to be asked. Especially in the lead-up to his national team experience and while winning gold, Jacobsen showed a new and pleasing assertiveness in attacking the basket. It won’t be as easy to make an impression against grown, fifth-year dudes in the Big Ten, but Jacobsen has the size, skill, and demeanor of a future star. 

Five Out-of-Conference Games to Keep an Eye on

vs Alabama – November 15

N Auburn – December 21

@ Marquette – November 19

N Texas A&M – December 14

N BYU/Mississippi – November 29

The team’s second freshman big guy is Raleigh Burgess, who checks in at a paltry 6’11”, 240. A Cincinnati product who broke his leg and missed the end of his senior season in high school, Burgess should be ready to go this fall. Like Jacobsen, he can already shoot the ball well, and Burgess has combo forward talent in a frame that just never stopped growing. He’s also shown flashes as a legit post-up scorer, and Burgess protects the rim effectively. Really, if not for Jacobsen, Burgess might be viewed as a top development big. As it is, Purdue’s frontcourt is in great hands for the foreseeable future. The team is also welcoming young guards CJ Cox and Jack Benter, and they’ll have to scrap for minutes on a deep, young perimeter. 

Being that this program has learned to compete at the highest levels, they plan to keep it up. In addition to headlining matchups like their scheduled tilts against Alabama, Marquette, Texas A&M, and Auburn, the Boilermakers will have to face NC State – a team that gave them all they could handle in the Final Four last season. Additionally, they’re scheduled to host quality mid-major programs like Northern Kentucky and Yale, as well as Toledo – the three-time defending Mid-American Conference champions. 

In advancing all the way to the title game last winter, Purdue threw a huge weight off of its back as a program. The Boilermakers have been consistently one of the best teams in the country under Painter, but had lacked a defining campaign in March. Now that it’s been done, but ended short of a natty, Purdue will have a new sort of hunger in the years to come. The questions about how this team will fare without a generational superstar can only be answered with excellence from the guys who are still on the roster. This won’t be Painter’s first time moving on from great talent, though – and his guys are ready to prove that they are far more than some well-known backup band.