The Rest of the Big Ten Won’t Want to See What Purdue Boilermakers Just Showed in Practice

The Rest of the Big Ten Won’t Want to See What Purdue Boilermakers Just Showed in Practice — Because It Changes Everything About the Title Race

The rest of the Big Ten might not want to see it, but what the Purdue Boilermakers just revealed in practice could completely change the title race this season.

For most programs, the preseason is about tweaks — incremental development, refining the playbook, working younger players into the rotation. For Purdue, it appears something much more serious is happening.

Matt Painter and the Boilermakers have not only reloaded — they’ve evolved. And what they just showed behind closed doors in a recent practice session suggests this could be the most complete and dangerous version of a Purdue team we’ve seen under Painter’s watch.

That’s saying a lot for a program that finished the regular season ranked No. 1 last year, won the Big Ten, and earned a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

This year? They might be better.

A New Gear for Zach Edey’s Successor?

Let’s address the elephant in the room — or rather, the 7’4” Canadian who isn’t in the room anymore.

Zach Edey dominated college basketball for two straight seasons, earning back-to-back National Player of the Year honors and becoming the focal point of Painter’s offense. His graduation leaves a gaping hole in the box score — and a massive presence in the paint that no single player can replace.

But here’s the thing: Purdue isn’t trying to replace him.

According to insiders present at the practice, Purdue’s offense has undergone a dramatic shift. Instead of leaning on one dominant post presence, the offense is now flowing through motion, spacing, and versatility. Think 2018 Villanova meets 2021 Baylor — crisp ball movement, quick decision-making, and relentless shooting.

The early standout? Sophomore center Will Berg. While he doesn’t have Edey’s raw physical dominance, Berg impressed onlookers with his footwork, passing ability, and understanding of Painter’s system. Combined with Caleb Furst and Trey Kaufman-Renn rotating in the frontcourt, Purdue may not have a new Edey — but they may have something more dynamic.

Guards Run the Show Now — And That’s Bad News for the Big Ten

Fletcher Loyer looks like a different player. After an up-and-down sophomore campaign, Loyer has reportedly added strength, tightened his handle, and — most importantly — regained his shooting confidence.

Pair that with the maturity of Braden Smith, who looks every bit the leader of this group, and Purdue suddenly has a backcourt capable of controlling tempo against anyone in the country.

In practice, Smith orchestrated the offense like a veteran pro — directing traffic, reading the defense in real time, and finding shooters with surgical precision. Insiders described the chemistry between Smith and Loyer as “next-level” — the kind of synergy that only develops through countless hours of offseason work.

And speaking of shooters: redshirt freshman Myles Colvin may be the breakout star waiting in the wings. Sources say Colvin was “unguardable” at times in practice — hitting deep threes, slashing with authority, and defending with energy. If he takes a leap, the Boilermakers will have more scoring options than ever.

Defensive Identity: Finally Matching the Offense

For all of Purdue’s recent success, the knock on Painter’s squads has often been their defense in March. Whether it was against Saint Peter’s or Fairleigh Dickinson, Purdue’s size and methodical pace sometimes left them vulnerable to smaller, quicker opponents.

That appears to be changing.

Assistant coach Terry Johnson, who oversees much of the defensive schemes, has implemented a more aggressive style focused on switching, denying passing lanes, and pressuring ball-handlers. In practice, players were diving on loose balls, closing out hard, and communicating constantly.

“We’ve always been able to score,” one observer noted. “But now, we can stop people.”

That alone might be the most dangerous development of all.

Matt Painter: Evolving with the Game

If there’s one person who deserves credit for this transformation, it’s Matt Painter.

Long respected as one of the top basketball minds in the college game, Painter has shown that he’s not content with simply running it back. He’s adapting, pushing his team to play faster, defend harder, and shoot more confidently.

During the practice session, players looked free — not reckless, but empowered. The offense hummed with motion, and the defense had the urgency of a team that remembers March a little too well.

Painter isn’t building another regular-season juggernaut.

He’s building a team built for March.

What This Means for the Big Ten Title Race

With Michigan State reloading, Illinois surging, and Wisconsin returning key veterans, the Big Ten is once again a bloodbath. But if what Purdue just showed in practice carries over into real games, the Boilermakers might not just be the favorites — they might be untouchable.

They have depth. They have shooting. They have guard play. And most importantly, they have a team identity that doesn’t revolve around one player — it revolves around winning.

The rest of the Big Ten might not want to see it, but they’d better be ready.

Because Purdue isn’t just coming for another conference title — they’re chasing history.

And this time, they might finally be built to finish the job.