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Just back from the game

Nothing profound here, not sure how much you can really take from this with some of the ones sitting. just a couple things now that I’m home from the game.

Finding a pass rush is obviously a huge key. We can get it sending our ILB, both Yanni and of course Jenkins. As for the edge guys, they certainly look good in a uniform. Took a stroll on the field through everyone just to see them up close and Heldt, Madden, Sillah, and Ojata are specimens.

RBs look good too. The 1-2 punch will be fine. Merriweather also physically impressive up close.

WR wide left of Card will be doing a lot of cardio. Wind sprints. A quick look over there for the bomb and then everything goes to the right side.

Davila has quickly taken the QB2 role. Meredith probably filling out portal paperwork.

Stark physical contrast when you see some of these guys up close obviously. Randle Jr and the freshman edge from KY we picked up late whose names escapes me were hanging together and it’s just wild to think that some freshman can actually come in and play right away at those type positions. So small looking lol

Beautiful day out there

Boiler up

Spring Game - Music

I did not enjoy the constant pounding of music throughout the game. It was loud and not enjoyable.

I would have preferred an announcer telling me who threw/ran the ball and who was on the tackle. This would have been great time to learn who is playing on the team!

It was nice to have the band there. Unfortunately we missed most of what they did as they played music over the top of them.

Purdue men's basketball One scholarship too many | Transfer?

I know this is part of the gig, but it's my least favorite. Speculating coldly whose life and career will be uprooted for good or bad reasons isn't fun. Who is to say how cleanly these separations actually go behind the scenes. No one chose to come to Purdue because they didn't want to play in a Purdue jersey. But someone will have to go. Purdue is currently one scholarship too many with the six incoming freshman.

How did we get here? Well, mostly it was uncertain timing and a commit Painter couldn't say no to. Daniel Jacobsen contemplated taking a year at prep school and re-classifying to 2025. Instead, the big man and potential star rim-protector decided to stay in his natural 2024 class and with him and Gicarri Harris, Painter ended up with one extra scholarship.

This is the state of college basketball now. Coaches have to assume they are going to lose someone.

Again, this is who Purdue has returning: Braden Smith (Jr.), Fletcher Loyer (Jr.), Caleb Furst (Sr.), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Jr.), Myles Colvin, (So.) Brian Waddell (Jr.), Camden Heide (Fr.), Will Berg (So.).

I'll rank them a bit on a tier list on how surprised I would be if they were the ones to transfer:

Shocked:

Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Myles Colvin, and Camden Heide

We know Gonzaga came calling to Braden Smith with a substantial money offer. It would take that and more for any of these four to leave this season. This will be the heart of Purdue's team this year and next, all of them have great relationships with the programs and coaches. I can't imagine any of them not being on the team next season.

There's almost no way:

Trey Kaufman-Renn and Caleb Furst

Both players have lost out to more minutes than anyone else because of Zach Edey's dominance. Both have the most to gain with his departure. I think Trey Kaufman-Renn will finally be in his ideal spot. He's always been a score first big, dominant in the post, and most comfortable with the ball in his hands. For two years, he's sacrificed by coming off the bench and then playing a position that's not natural to him. TKR is a center. He played power forward for Edey. He's not going to play power forward for just anyone. He's going to be the focal point inside for an offense that knows how to play through the post. There's not many of those places around. The only reason I wouldn't be entirely shocked is a few moments this season where players getting on each other on the court - a lot of the time that ire was directed towards TKR. TKR is a unique individual and knows his introverted nature makes him stand out a little, but he's also not someon that's gonna make a rash decision. I expect him to be Purdue's starting center next year.

Caleb Furst had a disappointing junior year. There's no way around that. He got even less minutes than his first two seasons where he spent good parts of each as a starter and one of Purdue's best big men. This year, his confidence and rhythm seemed shot. His minutes weren't there and when he was out there, it wasn't the Furst that looked like a unique blend of size and athleticism. Big minutes at the four and five are both available and Purdue is going to need someone to anchor its defense. Furst is the best bet for that. At times, he has been a five man that could defend the rim, rebound, and switch out ont he perimeter. He moves so well for someone his size. There's the stuff away from basketball. Furst will be a doctor one day and he's at Purdue for his pre-med. (Does this kind of school work on top of a basketball team explain some of his struggles? Maybe.) But Furst isn't going to leave if it jeopardizes his future in med school and as a doctor. His priorities away from the court are also in West Lafayette. There's not much reason for him to want to go elsewhere.

It's complicated:

Will Berg and Brian Waddell

These are going to be the two favorites when it comes to theories on who is leaving I'm sure. There's no ignoring the logic - Berg has still not seen any meaningful action on the court. Granted, with the bigs Purdue had around Edey, that's not a surprise. But it means dealing with someone who is still a complete unknown on the court. Berg speculation almost entirely depends on how you think he sees his future at Purdue. Will be vying for major minutes next year? He could. Purdue doesn't have anyone like him on the roster ready to play next year. He has tremendous size. He has theoretical range to stretch the floor. But if you believe TKR's future is at the five, then will Berg be happy being at best a back up with a couple promising big men coming to campus this year in Jacobsen and Raleigh Burgess? Or is now the time for him to try and get as much playing time as possible somewhere. There's been no indication that's what he's thinking, but it's a fair question.

Brian Waddell has almost no path to immediate or future minutes. Waddell is a legacy kid who suffered a pretty devastating knee injury his first season at Purdue. He was briefly in the rotation in his redshirt freshman season, but fell out of it once Big Ten play started. He's been only used for mop up duty since. He has good size on the wing, is more athletic than you think, and could play somewhere without a doubt. He's a unique big wing, but he's behind Fletcher Loyer, Myles Colvin, Camden Heide, and Purdue will add Kanon Catchings, Gicarri Harris, and CJ Cox. With Heide, Colvin, and Catchings, hybrid wings/bigs are redundant. There's plenty of skilled wing that's gonna struggle to find minutes. Add in that Smith and Loyer still have two seasons, Harris and Catchings are both ready from day one - maybe even CJ Cox, too, there's just not much basketball wise that makes sense for Waddell to stick around. Unless being apart of his father's program, this Purdue team, is enough for him. There's also that he's dating a volleyball player at Purdue - it's not a bad life, being a college basketball player making NIL even if the minutes aren't there.

There's not an easy answer on the roster, and with the portal and an NIL world that is still working like free agency, shockers will happen. There's no indication it's happening with this team, but as Painter has said - it'll probably catch up with them at some point.

We'll keep ya'll updated with any actual changes we hear or expect as it happens. Things weren't likely to clear up while Purdue was still playing games. Now the off season starts and movement should follow.
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Well, isn't OSU special...

Their spring game is at the same time as
Purdue's, but they get national tv, FOX.
Yah, I guess they are special.

Looks like the Red team down south wants
to be different. The Smoking Man has them
as the only team playing on Thursday night.
They're having a big country music concert
today in Memorial Stadium. The rain needs
to start around 3pm.

Other spring games (all times Central):

I guess Purdue's game will be all BTN.
Not sure if, Newt and the boys will be on WAZY.

Couple ?'s:

Is the FAU transfer receiver who tore up his knee
in last years preseason, back? Or, is he gone?

Has all of the Ross-Ade construction been
completed, or are there still more phases to
come?

Only one thing left to do: Boiler Up!

Purdue to host transfer forward for official visit

Purdue will host Akron transfer forward Reagan Bass for a visit next Tuesday, per a source.

A clear cut day one starter in the front court next to Mary Ashley Stevenson and someone that would be much needed with her rebounding.

Basketball this summer...

Looks like all returning players are healthy. Haven't heard of any sprains or surgeries. Freshmen should start arriving June 1. No overseas trip this year.
So, they should all have a long summer to fit the new pieces in. Feels good to know who we have, while IU is still portal diving for 5-6 more mercenaries.
Assume, Benter will play in KY-IN All-Star games &
Jr-Sr. I bet Bidunga will be Mr. Basketball and Bill Self won't want him to play. Jr-Sr game on 6/5 at
Kokomo. IN-KY on 6/7 at Lex, KY, 6/8 in Indy (Gainbridge).
Last year, 1st Purdue practice was 9/26.

So, 18 teams coming in 2024. That's 4 more teams Purdue can lay waste to. Haven't heard who we might play in a charity ex game yet, in Oct. Last year,
Ark was announced 7/26. The schedule has Arizona and the San Diego Tournament, so far. If they keep B1G at 20 games, play 14 teams once home
or way, and 3 teams twice (I assume.) Yuck! B1G Tournament, I believe will keep the same format of 14 in, but bottom 4 are SOL.
Last year, non-conference schedule was announced 6/23. Full schedule was released 9/20.

The NBA, good luck Zach. New rule this year, any player invited to the combine must attend and participate, or will not be eligible to be drafted in the
current draft. Will have to wait for a subsequent daft. New draft format. Instead of all on one night, 1st Rd will be on 6/26 & 2nd Rd on 6/27. If a player wants to
stay in collage, must remove name by 5/29 midnight. List of early entrants. Don't see Ware in there, yet.

The spring transfer portal opened 3/18 and will close 5/1. Won't be able to enter, but can be selected.

If I've misspoken, feel free to tan my arse.

Don't forget, on Sat 4/13:
Bruno's Memorabilia Sale #2 8am-1pm, at Bruno's
Boiler Spring Game 12pm-2pm at Ross-Ade, and on BTN
Boiler Up!

Purdue recruiting Spring Game Visitors

Purdue will be hosting a plethora of prospects on Saturday afternoon for the spring game.

Will have a comprehensive post tomorrow morning, but here is the full list:

Commits/Signees:

Spencer Porath
Earl Kulp
Ty Hudkins
Luke Williams
Leland Smith
Sawyer Anderson
Tarrion Grant

Priority targets

Cameron Gorin: 2025 three-star OL
Darrin Strey: 2025 three-star OL
Mariyon Dye: 2025 four-star DE
Clarence Taylor: 2025 three-star WR
Kory Amachree: 2026 three-star RB
Chaston Smith: 2026 four-star CB

Best of the rest:

Avery Huggins
Kuol Kuol
Deshaun Lanier
Ben Verges
Jackson Verdugo
Paul Nelson
Jayden Petit
Jaidon Vanpelt
Jaeden Ricketts
Trae Taylor
Cameron Wagner
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