For two years, Zach Edey was the heartbeat of Purdue basketball. His size, dominance, and consistency turned the Boilermakers into a national powerhouse, his presence redefining how the team played and how opponents prepared. But when the 7’4” superstar graduated to the NBA, a single question loomed over West Lafayette:
What does Purdue look like without Zach Edey?
That question echoed through every offseason conversation, talk show, and message board. Could Matt Painter’s system — one built around Edey’s towering presence — survive without him? Who would step up to fill that void in the paint, on the scoreboard, and in the locker room?
This week, fans may have finally seen the answer. And if what unfolded in practice is any indication, Purdue isn’t rebuilding — it’s reloading.
A Practice That Changed the Tone
It started as a typical preseason workout. The Boilermakers were running sets, working through defensive rotations, and emphasizing spacing — the same disciplined rhythm Painter has preached for nearly two decades. But then, something shifted.
During a full-court scrimmage, one player began to take over. He was everywhere — finishing at the rim, blocking shots, rebounding through contact, and even stepping out to hit a smooth midrange jumper. Each possession seemed to fuel the next, his confidence building with every touch.
Teammates started feeding him. Coaches started nodding. The noise in the gym began to swell.
By the end of the session, one thing was clear: Purdue might have just found its next cornerstone.
The Emergence of the New Big
Insiders say the player who stole the show was Will Berg, the 7’2” sophomore from Sweden who’s been quietly developing behind the scenes. For most of last season, Berg’s role was limited — occasional minutes in blowouts, flashes of potential buried behind Edey’s shadow. But behind closed doors, Painter and his staff have been high on his growth, both physically and mentally.
And now, it’s showing.
Berg reportedly dominated practice with a mix of post moves, timing, and mobility that had everyone — from teammates to assistant coaches — buzzing. While no one is comparing him directly to Edey (because, let’s face it, no one is Zach Edey), Berg is carving out his own identity.
He’s leaner, faster, and more fluid. He doesn’t just stand in the post — he moves in space, sets high screens, rolls hard, and finishes with soft touch around the rim. Defensively, his wingspan and awareness make him a disruptive presence, altering shots even when he doesn’t get a hand on the ball.
“He’s really starting to figure it out,” one Purdue staff member said after practice. “He’s been patient, he’s been coachable, and now you can see the confidence clicking into place.”
Painter’s Next Evolution
If there’s one thing Matt Painter has proven throughout his career, it’s adaptability. He’s evolved from the bruising, defense-first Big Ten style of the early 2000s into one of the most efficient offensive minds in college basketball.
With Edey, Purdue became a team that slowed the game down, executed inside-out offense, and punished opponents in the paint. Without him, the Boilermakers are exploring a faster, more dynamic approach — one that still values discipline but emphasizes spacing, pace, and ball movement.
And Berg’s emergence could be the perfect bridge between the two eras.
“He gives us a lot of what we want defensively, and he opens up the floor offensively,” Painter told reporters earlier this month. “He’s worked hard, and the guys trust him. That’s huge.”
In addition to Berg, Purdue has other frontcourt options — athletic forward Trey Kaufman-Renn and veteran stretch big Caleb Furst — giving Painter the flexibility to mix lineups and create mismatches. But Berg’s recent breakout has added a new layer of intrigue to the rotation.
The Energy Shift
Players felt it too.
During that now-famous practice, every dunk, every rebound, every defensive stop from Berg seemed to light up the gym. Guards started attacking more confidently, knowing they had a reliable rim protector behind them. The offense flowed smoother, with spacing that allowed shooters like Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith to find open looks.
“It felt like the old days again,” one player said afterward. “Guys feeding off each other, the crowd — even in practice — getting into it. It’s different when you see someone take that next step right in front of you.”
The buzz has already spread through the fanbase. Word of Berg’s performance made its way across social media, sparking excitement among Boilermaker faithful eager to see who carries the torch next.
Life After Edey
Replacing a generational talent like Zach Edey isn’t about finding a clone — it’s about finding a new identity. Purdue may never again have someone with Edey’s combination of dominance and composure, but they don’t need to.
What they do need is a core built on confidence, chemistry, and depth — and that’s exactly what seems to be forming.
If Berg continues to develop and the supporting cast embraces the faster, more versatile style Painter is testing, the Boilermakers could be even more unpredictable — and possibly more dangerous — than before.
“This group is hungry,” Painter said recently. “They know what it takes now. They’ve seen the standard. And they want to build their own story.”
The Scary Good Part
What makes this next phase of Purdue basketball “scary good” isn’t just Berg’s rise — it’s the combination of talent and experience returning around him. Smith and Loyer have grown into one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic backcourts. Kaufman-Renn continues to evolve as a two-way threat. And Painter’s bench — deep, disciplined, and battle-tested — is as stable as any in the country.
For a team that could’ve faced a rebuild, the Boilermakers instead look like a program retooled and reenergized.
So yes, life after Zach Edey is different. But if early signs are any indication, it might just be scary good.
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