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There’s no hype needed for this group. No clickbait titles. No exaggeration.

Purdue is just built different. They bring back experience, toughness, leadership, and high-level talent. And they’ll head into the 2025–26 college basketball season as the undisputed No. 1 team in the country—and for good reason.

This is not just a good team. It’s a veteran-led, battle-tested group that knows what March feels like. They’ve been hurt. They’ve been humbled. And now? They’re ready.

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🔑 Braden Smith is the Engine

If you watch basketball with a trained eye, you already know what Braden Smith is about. He’s not loud. He’s not flashy. But he controls everything on the floor.

Last season, he averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game—and that’s not even the full story. He led Purdue in minutes played (1,333) and three-pointers made (83). The man doesn’t come off the floor.

He plays with pace, IQ, and toughness. His command of the offense is elite. He makes the right reads, puts teammates in spots, and hits big shots in winning time.

Smith isn’t just a point guard. He’s a floor general—and if you’re building a program around someone, he’s your guy.

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💪 Trey Kaufman-Renn: The Most Underrated Big in the Nation

While the headlines often went to others, real hoop heads know Trey Kaufman-Renn was the heart of Purdue’s frontcourt last season.

He averaged 20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, shot 59.5% from the field, and earned First-Team All-Big Tenhonors plus AP All-American honorable mention.

He can score inside, face up, and punish mismatches. He rebounds. He competes. He does it without needing a ton of touches. And most importantly—he’s consistent.

If you’re talking about the best inside-out forwards in college basketball heading into this season, Trey’s name better be in that conversation.

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🔁 Veterans + Transfers = Purdue’s Best Roster Yet

“Here’s a film session that breaks down how Painter retools the roster after Edey’s departure—and why Smith and TKR are primed to dominate.”☝️☝️

Let’s be clear—this isn’t a team depending on one or two stars. Purdue brings back seven major contributors from a Final Four run, and they added two veteran transfers who fit like puzzle pieces.

Key Returners:

• Fletcher Loyer – Pure shooter with a smooth release and improved defense.
• Caleb Furst – Smart, physical forward who knows how to win.
• Camden Heide – Long, athletic wing who gives them pace and vertical spacing.
• Mason Gillis – Tough, experienced, and always plays with an edge.
• Ethan Morton – One of the smartest players in the Big Ten—defends and facilitates.

Key Transfers:

• Trey Townsend (Oakland) – The Horizon League POY brings 17.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and fits Painter’s culture of toughness and execution.
• Myron Amey Jr. (San Jose State) – A sparkplug guard who brings scoring, shot creation, and competitive edge to the backcourt.

This roster is balanced from top to bottom. Purdue has shooting, size, toughness, and trust. And in March, that matters more than stars.

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🎯 Matt Painter’s Time is Now

Say what you want—Matt Painter has stayed loyal to the process. And now it looks like the process is about to deliver.

He has the right pieces. The right leadership. The right hunger.

Purdue fans know pain. They’ve had teams good enough to win it all but fell short. But this year? This group feels different.

“We’ve been through it all,” Smith said. “Now it’s time to finish.”

No more waiting. No more maybes. This 2026 Purdue team is built for one goal:

Cutting down the nets