Purdue basketball is back in session, and West Lafayette might have their best shot at a title since the Zach Edey days.
The tradition continues! It’s another year of our countdown of the top 100 preseason teams in college basketball until the start of the season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: Purdue basketball.
Purdue basketball is, of course, an annual contender with Matt Painter on the sideline. He’s entering his 21st season coaching the team, but that’s not including the four years he spent as a Boilermaker as a player. He won’t have to adjust all that much, as the team is retaining three double-digit scorers.
Starting at the one will be Braden Smith, who could contend for the Wooden Award this season. The Arkansas native averaged 15.8 PPG and 8.7 APG last season, leading the Boilermakers’ offense. Freshman Omer Mayer, a four-star prospect, will be backing him up. Smith might be the most crucial part of this Purdue team.
Fletcher Loyer seems like he’s been in college for a decade. In reality, it’s only been three years, but in those three years, he’s averaged 11.6 PPG as a steady offensive weapon. Look out from deep.
But Trey Kaufman-Renn is the leader of a really talented team. The power forward averaged over 20 PPG last year, including a couple of 30-point games. He’s able to get into the paint with ease, but don’t sleep on his ability to draw opponents away and impact spacing.
And of course, down low Matt Painter has found his man. Oscar Cluff transferred in from South Dakota State after spending a season at Washington State. In the Summit League last season, Cluff averaged 17.6 PPG and 12.3 RPG for the Jackrabbits. Whether or not he can sustain that production in the Power Five is a different question. As for the rest of the team, there is a sneaky amount of depth. CJ Cox and Gicarri Harris will fight for playing time at the wing.
Purdue is ready to, for the most part, run it back. Who else in the Big Ten is willing to stop them? As of right now, the Boilermakers are vying for the title of best team in the nation.
Head coach:Â Matt Painter (21st season at Purdue, 22nd season overall)
2024-25 record: 24-12 (13-7)
2025 postseason finish:Â Lost to Houston (62-60) in Sweet Sixteen of NCAA Tournament
Notable departures:Â
- Myles Colvin (5.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.5 APG)
- Camden Heide (4.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.4 APG)
- Caleb Furst (4.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.4 APG)
Notable non-conference games:Â
- at Alabama (Nov. 13)
- vs. Memphis (Nov. 20) – Baha Mar Championship
- vs. Texas Tech OR Wake Forest (Nov. 21) – Baha Mar Championship
- vs. Iowa State (Dec. 6)
- vs. Marquette (Dec. 13)
- vs. Auburn (Dec. 20) – Indianapolis
Projected Rotation
PG: Braden Smith (6-0, 170, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 15.8 PPG, 8.7 APG, 4.5 RPG
SG: Fletcher Loyer (6-5, 180, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 13.8 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.8 APG
SF: CJ Cox (6-3, 195, So.)
2024-25 stats: 6.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.7 APG
PF: Trey Kaufman-Renn (6-9, 240, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 20.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.2 APG
C: Oscar Cluff (6-11, 255, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 17.6 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 2.8 APG (South Dakota State)
6: Daniel Jacobsen (7-4, 250, So.)
2024-25 stats: 6.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.0 APG, 2 GP
7: Gicarri Harris (6-3, 210, So.)
2024-25 stats: 3.8 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.8 APG
8: Jack Benter (6-6, 215, R-Fr.)
Redshirted 2024-25 season
9: Liam Murphy (6-8, 225, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 13.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.4 APG (North Florida)
10: Antoine West Jr. (6-3, 195, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 236-ranked recruit
11: Omer Mayer (6-4, 215, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 82-ranked recruit
Purdue basketball team MVP: Trey Kaufman-Renn
Kaufman-Renn is one of a handful of players in college basketball who can argue that he’s the best in the college game. After averaging 20.1 PPG for Matt Painter last season, he elected to come back. Sure, he isn’t a consistent threat from the perimeter (he did shoot 42.9% from three, but only 0.2 attempts per game), but Kaufman-Renn has mature footwork and an ability to simply get past his Big Ten contenders down low.
Kaufman-Renn might challenge for the Wooden Award this season. But one of the reasons he might not win could be the player below him in this article.
Purdue basketball make-or-break player: Braden Smith
If Braden Smith is playing his best, the Boilermakers’ offense will run smoothly. He’s an architect of a very good offense and can facilitate as well as score. Last year, he averaged 15.8 PPG and 8.7 APG. That’s some Steve Nash action over in West Lafayette.
Purdue simply needs him on the court. The other options at point are either freshman Omer Mayer, who is not ready yet, or sliding in Fletcher Loyer to the point? Maybe Antoine West Jr.? Regardless, it’s clear that Purdue really needs Smith.
Key analytic: 3P%
Purdue made a very high percentage of their shots from deep last season. In fact, their 3PT% was 38.2%, 17th in the country and 6th amongst tournament teams. The Boilermakers almost took down Houston in the Sweet Sixteen last season, and the three-ball was one of the reasons that they got that far in the postseason.
Who’s back? Sniper Fletcher Loyer, who averaged 44.4% from last year. Trey Kaufman-Renn averaged 42.9%, but in a small sample size. C.J. Cox (39.8%) is also back. And how’s this for efficiency? Every player from last season who attempted more than one three averaged at least 31.0%.
Purdue basketball 2025-26 projections
Projected conference finish: 1st in the Big Ten
Projected postseason ceiling:Â NCAA Tournament Championship