Purdue is definitely in unique (or close to unique) circumstances, which some of that has both advantages and disadvantages.
You want to know how many additional COVID eligibility years played for Purdue among those who were on the original Purdue COVID year team ('20/'21)? It appears the answer is ZERO.....zip......nada (happy to have a confirming or correction of the staff's work.)
Purdue's '20/'21 roster:
Carson Barrett (FR)
Emmanuel Dowuona (SO)
(transferred to Tennessee State)
Zach Edey (FR)
(entered NBA draft)
Matt Frost (SO)
Mason Gillis (R - FR)
(transferred to Duke)
Eric Hunter Jr. (JR)
(transferred to Butler)
Jaden Ivey (FR)
(entered NBA draft)
Chase Martin (FR)
(transferred to Missouri State)
Ethan Morton (FR)
(transferred to Colorado State)
Brandon Newman (R - FR)
(transferred to Western Kentucky)
Sasha Stefanovic (JR)
(graduated - assistant for Purdue)
Isaiah Thompson (SO)
(transferred to Florida Gulf Coast)
Aaron Wheeler (JR)
(transferred to St. John's)
Trevion Williams (JR)
(professional player overseas)
Jared Wulbrun (JR)
And Purdue has had just two transfers use an extra year of eligibility to play for Purdue - David Jenkins and Lance Jones. However, Painter has been strategic and efficient, if nothing else. Both of those players filled needs, with David Jenkins being a solid contributor and Lance Jones being a spectacular addition and fit.
According to what Painter has stated, players would be welcomed back, but he has an honest assessment of where things are, what improvements to work on, and what he thinks each player's particular role would be - they all have a chance to compete for a spot in the line-up - but no guarantees either way. As to '24/'25, all three eligible players after 2024 (Zach Edey, Mason Gillis, and Ethan Morton) would have been welcomed back - no question - but Painter wanted/needed to know their intentions prior to the season because he had several key recruiting targets and a rather large incoming class potentially.....he needed to manage that period a little differently.
Painter will continue to build the teams primarily with players he recruited out of high school, then with multiple year-players. Transfer portal will be for specific needs and also to deal with players who leave (for whatever reason) and hopefully not due to injuries, but those happen as well. During a season - nothing you can do about that but plan ahead, which I think Painter will more. He freely admits it's on him that Purdue's roster was light on front-court players (especially with rim protection and a physical game), which was exacerbated with Daniel Jacobsen's injury.
He also encourages and helps players who have a chance to play professionally - even if they will be leaving with eligibility (Caleb Swanigan, Carsen Edwards, Jaden Ivey, Trevion Williams, and Zach Edey to name the prime examples). He has stated often that he wants to help them with an honest discussion of what's best for them for their careers on and off the court.
Painter is stubborn - just in his nature, but he does adapt/adjust.......maybe not as much or with a pace that many would prefer - but everyone knows where they stand with him. I can understand those who disagree, even vehemently with the philosophy......but hey, Painter runs the program, and he has been very candid, maybe surprisingly so, about it all.
I also get the angst about this season and the portal period opening prior to the Regionals - and Tom Izzo had an interesting perspective - pretty clear - he was basically "I'm all in 24/7 on this season.....100% until it's over. If that costs me something or somebody because of the portal......so be it." I can totally respect that attitude and position. I think due to what happened to Purdue's roster this year - Painter just had to balance it - but knowing what I know about him, and how many hours he does put in - no way did he shortchange the team or the rest of the season with preparing for and coaching in the Houston game. And they certainly didn't play like it was any kind of a distraction.
Painter, Sampson, and Izzo are a lot closer in philosophy with recruiting and the portal than many might think. Facts and circumstances with each may vary.
Shaka Smart is the only coach not really using the portal at all......but who knows.....that may change.
Times are a changing......at warp speed.
