Andrew Pace
The Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team has had a successful season, with highlights including a win over No. 1 Arizona and Braden Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, announcing his return for his senior season. The team has also seen success in the transfer portal, with Oscar Cluff committing to the Boilermakers following a dominant 2024-25 campaign with South Dakota State. The 2025-26 season will see two transfers and two freshmen join the team, with head coach Matt Painter expressing optimism about his new players. The Boilermakers have released their 2025-26 non-conference schedule and will face Kentucky in an exhibition game in Rupp Arena.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purdue Men's Basketball 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule | May 6, 2025 |
| Purdue Basketball Alumni Game | August 2, 2025 |
| Big Ten 2025-26 Men's Basketball Conference Opponents | April 16, 2025 |
| New Players Joining Purdue Basketball Team for 2025-26 Season | Murphy, Mayer, Oscar Cluff |
| Purdue Player Undergoing Surgery | Raleigh Burgess |
| Purdue Player Invited to USA Basketball U19 Training Camp Roster | Jacobsen |
| Purdue Athletics' Female & Male Athletes of the Year | Colvin, Smith |
| Purdue Player Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team | Edey |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Oscar Cluff commits to the Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers basketball team has gained a new member, with Oscar Cluff committing to the team for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Cluff, a 6-foot-11-inch centre from Australia, is a highly rated prospect, ranked as the No. 1 transfer in the country by On3. He is considered one of the top transfers in America and will be a valuable addition to the Boilermakers' roster, which is expected to be ranked highly in the national rankings.
Cluff is joining Purdue after a dominant 2024-25 campaign with South Dakota State. He started in 30 games with the Jackrabbits, averaging impressive statistics: 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game, while playing only 27.5 minutes. Cluff's performance makes him one of just 10 players in NCAA history to average at least 17 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists, while also shooting at least 60% from the field. This puts him in an elite group of players, including Zach Edey, Blake Griffin, and Tim Duncan.
Cluff's best performance last season came in a win over Denver, where he scored 30 points, had 19 rebounds, and added two assists. He scored over 20 points 13 times and recorded an impressive 22 double-doubles. His ability to rebound is exceptional, finishing the year with the highest defensive rebound percentage in the country (32.4%) and the fifth-highest offensive rebound percentage (17.2%).
With Cluff joining the Boilermakers, along with other new additions for the 2025-26 season, the team is expected to be a strong contender. Head coach Matt Painter will be looking to build on the successes of the past season and integrate the new players effectively. The addition of Cluff certainly boosts the team's prospects, and fans will be eager to see how he contributes to the team's performance in the upcoming season.
China's Basketball Olympic Dream: Will They Make It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Braden Smith returns for his senior season
Purdue Boilermakers' Braden Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, has announced he will return for his senior season. Smith, a standout point guard, has been described by coach Matt Painter as a "multiplier", someone who "makes other people better". Painter, himself a Purdue alum, is known for his strong work ethic and ability to spot talent. He has taken the Boilermakers to new heights, becoming the first Big Ten team in 45 years to be ranked No. 1 in back-to-back seasons.
Smith's leadership qualities were on display in a postgame press conference after a loss to Indiana. When a reporter asked Smith about a late-game turnover, his teammate Zach Edey stepped in, taking responsibility for the loss and praising Smith's performance. Edey, a 7-foot-4 senior centre, is also expected to return for his senior season and is a favourite to win the John R. Wooden Award for the nation's best college basketball player.
The Boilermakers have had a successful few years, with Painter's program reaching even higher levels recently. Painter is known for his ability to spot talent, and Smith is a prime example of this. Smith wasn't offered a scholarship by any program close to the Big Ten level, but Painter saw his potential and brought him onto the team.
With Smith and Edey returning, the Boilermakers are expected to be strong contenders in the 2025-26 season. The team has also added two transfers and two freshmen to their roster, and guard Oscar Cluff has announced his commitment to Purdue, joining the team this offseason. The 6-foot-11 Cluff is expected to make a significant impact, having averaged 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.8 blocks during his time at South Dakota State.
Purdue has also released its 2025-26 non-conference schedule, which includes a game against Kentucky in Rupp Arena. The team will be looking to build on their recent successes and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. With Smith's leadership and the strong core of returning players, the Boilermakers are sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
LeBron's Basketball Legacy: Champion or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Jacobsen invited to USA Basketball U19 training camp
Purdue Boilermakers' Daniel Jacobsen has been invited to the USA Basketball U19 training camp, which will see 33 athletes cut down to a 12-player team for the USA National Team. Jacobsen is a sophomore with experience in collegiate basketball and USA Basketball. He helped the U18 team win the gold medal at the 2024 FIBA AmeriCup in Argentina, where he averaged 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 blocked shots in just 16.2 minutes per game. He also set an AmeriCup record with 19 blocked shots in the tournament.
The training camp will begin on June 14 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the 12-member team is expected to be announced before the team departs for the 2025 FIBA U19 Men's World Cup in Switzerland, which will be held from June 26 to July 6. The USA has won the gold medal eight times, most recently in 2021.
Purdue has been making several changes to its basketball roster. Oscar Cluff has committed to joining the Boilermakers, while former forward Camden Heide is transferring to Texas. Braden Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, will return to Purdue for his senior season. Additionally, Murphy and Mayer will be joining the Purdue Basketball Program for the 2025-26 season.
The Basketball Team: How Many Players?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Colvin and Smith named Purdue Athletes of the Year
Purdue's basketball team, the Boilermakers, has had a successful season. The team reached the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament, ending the year with a 24-12 record.
The team's success has been reflected in the accolades received by two of its athletes, Raven Colvin and Braden Smith, who were named Purdue Athletics' Female and Male Athletes of the Year for 2024-25.
Colvin, a volleyball player, was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection (2023, 2024) and a two-time AVCA All-American. She amassed more than 1,000 kills and recorded 642 total blocks during her career at Purdue, becoming the second player in the programme's history to reach 600 blocks. In her senior season, she led the Big Ten and ranked third nationally with 1.56 blocks per set. Her impressive performance earned her further honours, including All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-Midwest Region recognition. Colvin's offensive consistency was also notable, with a .346 clip and a hitting percentage of .500 or better in 10 matches. She was drafted seventh overall in the 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) Draft by the Grand Rapids Rise.
Smith, a men's basketball guard, was named a first-team consensus All-American, the Big Ten Player of the Year, and received the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard. He averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, leading Purdue to its 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and the 2025 Sweet 16. Smith holds the Purdue career assists record and is the only NCAA player to achieve at least 550 points, 300 assists, 150 rebounds, and 75 steals in one season. He was also among the top-selling athletes at the NIL Store in October 2024.
Purdue's athletic director, Mike Bobinski, praised both athletes, stating:
> "We're incredibly fortunate here at Purdue to have student-athletes like Raven Colvin and Braden Smith represent us — both in competition and as members of the broader University community."
The volleyball coach, Dave Shondell, also recognised Colvin's leadership, work ethic, and passion for her sport, highlighting her extraordinary impact on Purdue.
Wrestling vs Basketball Shoes: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Matt Painter's thoughts on new players
Purdue Boilermakers' head coach Matt Painter has had a successful tenure at his alma mater, leading the team to win the Big Ten Conference five times, the Big Ten Tournament twice, and reaching the NCAA tournament 16 times. Painter has also been named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year five times.
Painter has expressed his thoughts on new players joining the team for the 2025-26 season, including two transfers and two freshmen. One of the new recruits, Oscar Cluff, is expected to make a significant impact after a dominant 2024-25 campaign with South Dakota State, where he averaged 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game.
Painter has emphasized the importance of team cohesion and has worked to bridge the divide between youth and experience within the squad. He has encouraged his more experienced players to "learn to embrace our younger players better," reflecting on how far players like Zach Edey have come since their freshman years. Painter's focus on team cohesion has been a key strategy for the Boilermakers, with Painter molding players like Edey into award-winning athletes.
Painter has also addressed communication concerns within the team, particularly with the addition of new players and leaders. He has stressed that past achievements don't matter, and that the team needs to adapt to the new season and the challenges it brings. Painter expects his players to be vocal on the court and has pushed them to improve their communication and concentration.
Overall, Painter's thoughts on the new players joining the Purdue Boilermakers reflect his focus on team cohesion, the integration of youth, and the need for effective communication. He has expressed confidence in the talent and potential of his new recruits and is working to blend them into the existing team dynamic.
The Evolution of Inventions: A Historical Timeline
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Purdue basketball is doing well this season, with the team releasing their 2025-26 non-conference schedule and Braden Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, announcing he will be returning for his senior season.
Some of the players on the Purdue basketball team include Raleigh Burgess, Oscar Cluff, and Jacobsen, who was invited to the USA Basketball U19 Training Camp Roster.
The coach of the Purdue basketball team is Matt Painter.
The latest news about the Purdue basketball team is that they will be facing Kentucky in an exhibition game in Rupp Arena and that their basketball alumni game will be held on August 2, 2025.
I cannot find specific information on the Purdue basketball team's record this season. However, they did have a notable win over No. 1 Arizona in December 2023.
