Purdue basketball has been consistent under Matt Painter. Even with the Smith-Loyer-Kaufman-Renn trio gone, Purdue has plenty of talent and breakout potential for 2026-27.
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.
While the Boilermakers didn’t come out on top, they ended the year with a 30-9 record, won the Big Ten Tournament (beating Michigan, the national champion, in the title game), and reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
There is a glaring issue when it comes to looking at this new Purdue basketball team– the roster departures. The production loss seems comparable to Michigan’s loss of three NBA draft picks. The Boilermakers suffer the departure of the trio of Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer. These three played 147 games together at Purdue, which is rare in college basketball today.
So what has to happen for this new team to find success during the 2026-27 season? Purdue returns sophomore guard Omer Mayer, who will likely take over at point guard. Junior guard C.J. Cox also needs to take on a larger role this season, and will do so at the two. Depending on how Painter sees it, Princeton transfer and forward Caden Pierce could either start at the three or the four. Sophomore forward Jack Benter and junior forward Raleigh Burgess are also options for this starting lineup. At the five is junior center Daniel Jacobsen.
Purdue basketball also has some solid incoming freshmen certainly worth mentioning. Guard Antoine West and guard Luke Ertel should see some time on the court this season.
When Painter was asked about players he could see as having a breakout season, he didn’t just mention one. He listed Gicarri Harris, Jacobsen, Mayer, West, and Ertel. What is more interesting is Painter mentioning a possible three-ball-handler lineup that includes West, Mayer, and Ertel. This is not a 100% locked-in decision, but it’s worth considering. This statement also suggests that Purdue has a versatile lineup that we can tweak throughout the season as they take on more opponents.
Head coach: Matt Painter (22nd season overall, 21st at Purdue)
2025-26 record: 30-9 (13-7)
2026 postseason finish: Elite Eight appearance
Notable departures:
- Braden Smith (14.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 8.7 APG)
- Trey Kaufman-Renn (14.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.5 APG)
- Fletcher Loyer (14.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.1 APG)
- Oscar Cluff (10.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.8 APG)
Notable non-conference games:
- vs. Gonzaga (Nov. 2) – Las Vegas
- vs. DePaul (Nov. 24) – Fort Myers Tip-Off
- vs. Oklahoma (Nov. 26) – Fort Myers Tip-Off
- at Iowa State (Dec. 5)
- vs. Tennessee (Dec. 11)
- vs. Colorado (Dec. 19)
Projected Rotation
PG: Omer Mayer (6-4, 215, So.)
2025-26 stats: 5.5 PPG, 1.1 RPG, 1.2 APG, 35.5 3P%
SG: C.J. Cox (6-3, 195, Jr.)
2025-26 stats: 8.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 37.3 3P%
SF: Jack Benter (6-6, 215, So.)
2025-26 stats: 4.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.8 APG
PF: Caden Pierce (6-7, 220, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 11.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.2 APG (Princeton)
C: Daniel Jacobsen (7-4, 250, Jr.)
2025-26 stats: 5.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 0.3 APG, 64.6 FG%, 37.5 3P%
6: Gicarri Harris (6-3, 210, Jr.)
2025-26 stats: 4.6 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 0.9 APG
7: Luke Ertel (6-2, 180, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 42 ranked recruit
8: Jacob Webber (6-6, 180, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 71 ranked recruit
9: Sinan Huan (7-1, 230, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 75 ranked recruit
10: Enzo Shahrvin (6-9, 260, Sr.)
International prospect from France
11: Antoine West Jr. (6-3, 200, Rs.-Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 235 ranked recruit (2025)
12: Raleigh Burgess (6-11, 245, Jr.)
2025-26 stats: 1.9 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.2 APT, 53.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%
13: Rivers Knight (6-10, 220, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 246 ranked recruit
Purdue basketball team MVP: C.J. Cox
Cox likely has the best opportunity to lead this team from the guard position. He has shown versatility and is widely considered the team’s best two-way player. Cox has already shown his capabilities and begins this season as Purdue’s top returning perimeter scorer. Along with this, he has proven himself from beyond the arc. Not only can Cox be the Boilermakers’ MVP of the 2026-27 season, but he could also be their leading scorer and carry that momentum into his senior season (if he chooses to stay at Purdue).
Purdue basketball make-or-break player: Daniel Jacobsen
Jacobsen certainly has the facilities to be a competitive player in the Big Ten. His 7’4″ frame is just what a player in this conference needs; after all, it is one of, if not the most physical, conferences in college basketball. His height could help him serve as the team’s defensive anchor, especially as the starting center. Jacobsen is also a dangerous offensive lob threat and shot-blocker.
On the other hand, things could fall apart for Purdue if Jacobsen isn’t able to provide that strong interior presence. With the departure of Kaufman-Renn, it is also possible that the pressure could get to him, resulting in a lack of defensive discipline and reduced consistency.
Key statistic: All-around physicality
Last season, Purdue basketball excelled on offense. They out-rebounded opponents by 6.6 rebounds per game, averaging 35.2. The Boilermakers also battled hard in the paint, bringing down 36.4% of available offensive rebounds. This offseason, Painter himself acknowledged that his team has to be physical to show improvement in other areas.
This is especially important given how much height they lost heading into the 2026-27 season. During Purdue’s four July matchups in Canada, the issue came from being too soft on the glass. While they still found some success on the boards, it didn’t look as “impressive” as it should have, especially when Big Ten conference play rolls around. With a guard-heavy roster, Purdue has to stand its ground to survive against the top teams in the Big Ten.
Purdue basketball 2026-27 projections
Projected conference finish: 8th in the Big Ten
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Exit