Purdue’s full team has only one remaining formal practice for the summer, scheduled for Monday morning. Following this session, players will take a break for a few weeks before the fall semester begins.
International athletes Omer Mayer and Oscar Cluff will stay on campus to work with coaches during these two weeks, as they weren’t present throughout the summer.
After practice on Sunday, here are some insights and observations not just from this second-to-last summer session, but from the entire summer period.
PURDUE IS SHARP, AS IT SHOULD BE
Experience is crucial, especially when it’s shared. While several new players are stepping into significant positions, the team shows a well-coordinated performance on the court. The ball movement is sharp and decisive, a reflection of the time spent playing together and the skill level of Purdue’s guards. This summer, the team has demonstrated outstanding shooting accuracy, largely due to their cohesiveness—players perform better when they are aware of their roles and understand how the game flows.
Integrating Mayer and Cluff, along with freshman Antione West and new forward Liam Murphy, is essential. However, the returning players are experienced and bonded, making for a low-maintenance roster. Great teams often self-manage, and Purdue appears to possess this quality.
BIG MEN TRANSFORM PURDUE
This season, the Boilermakers shift from a lack of size to a strong presence at center with Cluff joining and sophomore Daniel Jacobsen returning from injury. Purdue is now equipped with effective rim protection and robust defensive rebounding options, addressing past shortcomings.
There are still some challenges to address, particularly with All-American Trey Kaufman-Renn likely shifting to primarily play forward. Managing spacing becomes crucial while taking advantage of the newfound size. The team has been focusing on developing scenarios for dunk plays, making use of Kaufman-Renn’s ability to draw defenders, allowing for lobs and better opportunities at the rim.
GICARRI HARRIS HAS REALLY EMERGED
Sophomore guard/wing Gicarri Harris has had a breakout summer, exuding confidence following his impactful role last season, alongside his classmate CJ Cox. He demonstrated impressive three-point shooting in Big Ten games and has been assertive in practice, showing growth beyond just scoring—defense will be a focus as one of the sophomores handles ball coverage, alleviating pressure from Braden Smith.
PURDUE WANTS JACK BENTER ON THE FLOOR, SOMEWHERE
While Fletcher Loyer may be considered one of the best shooters in college basketball, there has been considerable buzz around redshirt freshman Jack Benter this offseason, signaling his potential impact. Although Liam Murphy is recovering from shoulder surgery, the coaching staff is eager to find ways to integrate Benter, who has been primarily playing forward to fill gaps in the lineup. The aim is for a more robust and versatile Benter to contribute significantly this season.
