We’re going team-by-team across Big Ten men’s basketball to assess where everyone stands and how things could shake out in 2026-27.
It’s a new era in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue men’s basketball is coming off a second Elite Eight trip in the last three years, but defeat to Arizona brought three storied careers to an end: Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer are gone. Matt Painter has lost talent in the past and reloaded, but this will be a big challenge. The Boilermakers have good pieces in place, but will have to adapt without their star trio.
WHO’S GONE:
- Braden Smith (14.3 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
- Trey Kaufman-Renn (14.2 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
- Fletcher Loyer (14.1 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
- Oscar Cluff (10.6 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
- Liam Murphy (2.3 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
WHO’S BACK:
- C.J. Cox, G, Jr. (8.5 PPG)
- Daniel Jacobsen, C, Jr. (5.8 PPG)
- Omer Mayer, G, So. (5.5 PPG)
- Gicarri Harris, G, Jr. (4.6 PPG)
- Jack Benter, G, So. (4.4 PPG)
- Raleigh Burgess (1.9 PPG)
- Antoine West Jr., G, R-Fr.
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer portal
- Caden Pierce, F, Sr. (11.2 PPG at Princeton)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports)
- Luke Ertel, G (four-star, No. 38)
- Sinan Huan, C (four-star, No. 65)
- Jacob Webber, G (four-star, No. 63)
- Rivers Knight, F (four-star, No. 145)
RETURNING MINUTES: 41.1 percent (per barttorvik.com) (seventh in the Big Ten)
Why it will work
IU fans never enjoy hearing it, but the No. 1 reason why this roster will work out for Purdue is that Matt Painter always seems to find a way. On paper, the Boilers look more likely to take a slight step backwards than they do to take a step forward. But can anyone really doubt Painter getting the most out of this group and keeping it among the Big Ten’s contenders?
Purdue will have the size its typically had over the last 10-15 years, in Jacobsen and Huan. Mayer displayed potential last season and could be ready for a big role this year. The Boilers’ freshmen — particularly Ertel and Webber in the backcourt — are dangerous and could make an instant impact.
Why it won’t
Purdue is just replacing so much production in Smith, Loyer, and Kaufman-Renn. Losing Zach Edey in 2024 was a big blow, but retaining that trio ensured the program wouldn’t miss a beat. This is a more difficult challenge, with so many players moving on and without as clear an answer for who will replace the production. After all, Smith is the all-time NCAA career leader in assists — it’s hard to truly replace someone like that.
The Boilermakers need guys to step up to keep the train rolling (pun intended — sorry, folks). If guys like Cox, Harris, Mayer, and Jacobsen aren’t ready for that added responsibility, and if the freshmen aren’t immediate hits, Purdue could have some trouble.
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