Purdue Boilermakers
2021-22 record: 29-8 overall, 14-6 in the Big Ten
Head coach: Matt Painter
Tenure at Purdue: 19th season
Career coaching record: 409-197
Home court: Mackey Arena
Starters: G Ethan Morton, G David Jenkins, G Brandon Newman, F Mason Gillis, C Zach Edey
Bench: F Caleb Furst, G Fletcher Loyer, G Ethan Morton, G Braden Smith
Overview: The offseason was disheartening for Purdue fans, as the team lost star guard Jaden Ivey and several other players to the NBA and transfer portal. With their top ball handlers gone and transfer target Nijel Pack opting to commit to Miami instead, it is unclear who will step in as point guard this season for the Boilermakers, though junior Ethan Morton and freshman Braden Smith are looking like the favorites to compete for the role.
Beyond ball handling, the graduation of Sasha Stefanovic and departure of Ivey will also hurt Purdue’s shooting and playmaking capabilities this season. It is now up to Morton to fill the hole, but after averaging 2.4 points and 1.4 assists per game last season, it is unclear if he is up to the challenge. Freshmen Fletcher Loyer and Smith might offer promise in filling these holes, but they have never played in a Division I game before, so the question stands: are they ready to step up to such an important role?
Defensively, Purdue currently sits at No. 58 in the KenPom rankings for adjusted defensive efficiency; it was primarily defense that hurt it in its shocking loss to St. Peter’s in the 2022 NCAA tournament. While Zach Edey may be reliable offensively with his shooting efficiency and size in the paint, he is not the quickest defender, leaving room for teams to take advantage of the Boilermaker defense near the baseline.
With no certain point guard, no volume shooters, defensive holes and mainly only young prospects to step up to fill the roster’s holes, finding a team identity might be a tall order for head coach Matt Painter.
Team ceiling: Painter is able to coordinate Purdue’s offense around Edey, while Morton uses his 6-foot-6 stature to bring size and experience to the point guard role. Loyer’s skill outweighs his immaturity as a young player, allowing him to step up as a primary shooter for the Boilermakers. The team finishes in the top half of the Big Ten and is able to land more target transfers, as well as retain its now-youthful players going into the 2023-24 season.
Team floor: Purdue cannot find consistency in the point guard position, the Boilermakers’ freshman guards cannot fill the shooting holes dug by Stefanovic’s departure, and Edey’s defensive woes render the Boilermakers ineffective on both sides of the floor. At best, Purdue finishes in the middle of the Big Ten and squeaks an NCAA tournament bid, finding themselves eliminated early again.
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Leah Boyd is a Pratt senior and a social chair of The Chronicle's 118th volume. She was previously editor-in-chief for Volume 117.