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Five Points to Ponder In Providence

On3 imageby:Brian Neubert•03/17/25•

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Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn
Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn (Chad Krockover)

As Purdue embarks for Little Rhody to meet High Point Thursday afternoon in Providence to open Midwest Regional play, the Boilermakers seem like they can go a couple of different ways during one of the most randomized events in sports.

This can go great — Purdue, after all, remembers what it took to reach the title game last season, has outstanding players and did show flashes of greatness at times this season — or it can go not-so-great, as the Boilermakers closed the season having lost six of their final nine. High Point, having won 14 straight, is not to be taken lightly. They haven’t lost since mid-January.

More: Matt Painter, Branden Smith and more from Wednesday’s press conference in Providence | Scouting Report: Purdue coaches break down High Point

For Purdue, its opportunity to really do something big in a season in which championship opportunities have all slipped away to this point is right now.

With that in mind, here are five underlying elements — beyond the obvious, like Fletcher Loyer‘s elbow, — that could become really important factors in determining how it fares.

TKR AND MATCHUPS

How are NCAA Tournament opponents going to defend Trey Kaufman-Renn?

An interesting way to look at it is this: Normally, Purdue’s frontcourt centerpiece has been a physical unicorn for NCAA opponents, so you had no idea what they were going to do. Kaufman-Renn being more traditionally sized — but more physical than people realize — might yield more scouting insight, though High Point, for example, went the whole season without playing a high-major opponent.

Again, fouls will matter, too. Escaping Big Ten officiating is always a breath of fresh air for Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois, Maryland, whoever it might be.

GICARRI HARRIS’ LEADERSHIP

This guy has something about him that screams leadership and even though he’s only a freshman, there’s no reason that can’t matter right now. He holds real spark potential defensively and as a weapon in transition offensively.

Purdue could really use its energy back on defense. Maybe Harris can be a catalyst.

BRADEN SMITH’S PATIENCE AND POISE

In short-prep situations, sometimes you have to learn your opponent as you go. Is there anyone in college basketball better able to deconstruct a defense real-time than Braden Smith? He is a savant when it comes to knocking on the door, knocking on the door, knocking on the door until it breaks open.

CALEB FURST’S OFFENSIVE REBOUNDING

Lost in the Michigan game was Purdue’s lone senior’s high-level activity on the offensive glass.

Every possession matters now.

And again, all energy is good energy now.

SECONDARY BALL-HANDLERS AND DECISION-MAKING

Pretty good chance that at some point opponents will try to do what USC did and trap the ball out of Smith’s hands and take their chances playing at a disadvantage behind him. This puts an onus on Loyer, Harris, CJ Cox and the wings to make the right plays, get the ball inside quick and cleans and the right shots, which Purdue has done a good job doing all season.

This is where Loyer’s readiness really matters. If he’s not himself, it would beg defenses to swarm Smith, because Loyer is Purdue’s best shooter, its best entry man and its next best ball-handler/decision-maker.

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