What Have We Learned About Purdue Basketball This Summer?

Attention all fans of rebuilding football teams that bring unfortunate misery in their current state. And yes, I am looking at you Indiana (definitely not Purdue though). The bright light of Purdue basketball is on the horizon. The season starts officially on November 6th against the Samford Bulldogs, who’s ranked at 139 on Kenpom’s preseason rankings. But in a sense, the season is already ramping up with the last team scrimmage that marks the end of inter squad scrimmages and the European trip that gave us a glimpse of the 2023-24 Purdue Boilermakers. Let’s distract ourselves until the season is officially back by going through the key storylines from the summer.

A Lurking Star in Purdue's Frontcourt?

In his freshman year, Trey Kauffman-Renn had a bumpy season that flashed his talent but was dulled by his inexperience. But with an entire season under his belt, opposing teams watch out. Trey Kauffman-Renn is amazing and could bring a presence to Purdue similar to the beloved Caleb Swanigan. TKR has a unique blend of physicality and skill that allows for him to play both inside on the block and on the perimeter. Scoring is not a question with him, the swing skill is how he will create shots for others. Using TKR in dribble handoffs, passing from the post, and off ball actions like screening or cutting will be the next steps for TKR to add to his offensive value.

The "Old Man" and The Two Other Dudes

A big question coming into the season is how much value will Painter be able to squeeze out of his group of wings Ethan Morton, Camden Hiede, and Brian Waddell. The incumbent start is Ethan Morton who was sidelined for most of the summer with a hamstring injury and struggled towards the end of last year. Camden Hiede is a redshirt freshman is a must see player in warm ups with his high flying displays of his athleticism. And the quietest of the three is Brian Waddell, a three start recruit that has been in the program for two years already, red shirting after he tore his ACL in his freshman season and struggling to get playing time last year. Who's the favorite to start this season?

Morton is the most likely given his experience last year. He is a known quantity for Painter that is impressive with his basketball intelligence in game situations. On defense, Morton thrives in help situations and is solid but not spectacular as a point of defender. He can struggle against elite players guarding the mid range space because he has a ineffective ability to contest shots and guards are able to create separation from Morton that allows for them to be comfortable shooting the ball over Morton (Brice Sensabaugh, Boo Buie, Jalen Hood-Schifino). On offense, I am hesitant on his value because he struggles to add value in his projected role. With so much talent around him, Purdue needs a connecting piece that is able to play off of guys like Edey to add value shooting, cutting, and making quick decisions that will maintain advantages that other player create. In this role, I think questions still surround Morton's ability to play in this role.

The next wing player is Waddell, a long and slender forward entering his third year at Purdue. On defense, he is not nearly the help defender that Morton is, but his length allows for Waddell to still be effective on that end. There are still a lot of questions about Waddell's quickness and screen navigation, so questions about his point of attack defense are unanswered for now. Although, his offensive game is something that Purdue fans should be excited about. It will not be flashy, but his quick decision making will be big for Purdue when teams try to overload on the top dogs. He is a solid driver, passer, and can shoot well enough to space the floor. In terms of wings, Waddell is the best offensive player of the group.

Possible the most fascinating is Camden Hiede, relatively unknown player with elite vertical ability. On defense, I think he can be very disruptive with the physical tools that he has with his length, explosiveness, and strength. He has the type of defense profile that San Diego State has made popular, strong lengthy wings that can guard anyone from a power forward to a shooting guard. On offense, he is less of a connecting piece, and more of a play finisher. I don't think he will continue to stress the defense whit his passing or driving like Waddell, but Hiede can still find value in being an opportunistic cutter and floor spacer from three.

Overall, it is very close between the three players. If I was the coach, I lean towards Waddell as a lengthy defender who adds a much higher ceiling on offense compared to the other three players. But I realistically could see all three starting at the small forward position.

Newbies Making a Big Impact

Purdue brings in two new players in the form of Myles Colvin and Lance Jones. Though vastly different players, expect both players to bring high level athleticism that was not on Purdue's roster last year. Jones fits nicely as the backup point guard that is capable of slotting in as the shooting guard next to Smith at times this season. On defense expect him to be very good at the point of attack because of his blend of strength and quickness. With his offensive impact being rooted in his ability to get to the rim and finish. Myles Colvin on the other hand is going to play more off ball. Look for Painter to hide Colvin on defense to start the year, and as he gains experience look for him to weaponize his athleticism to make some highlight plays in passing lanes this year. His offense game adds a ton of possible value off ball, with him coming off screens that allow for him to create space for his good lucking jumper. Both players should play impactful roles for this years Purdue team.

Offensive Plays To Look For

As a young team, Painter began to default to Edey on the offensive end of the court, expect Purdue to be more balanced throughout the years with younger players ready to step into larger roles. So I came up with four plays that Purdue will have a lot of success with in the upcoming season.

1. Edey hitting TKR on dives to the rim. In limited time together, Edey and TKR showed a very good connections between the two of them that will cause major headaches for opposing defenses.

2. Braden Smith pick 'n roll in semi-transition. Focusing on being more aggressive with his jumper and keeping his dribble alive.

3. Fletcher playing off ball using pin downs, Chicago actions, and dribble hand offs. The focus should be on Fletcher working without the ball as much as possible, making quick decisions with the ball to keep the defense off balance and allow for Fletcher to score and pass using his shooting gravity coming off screens.

4. Expect for TKR to be used on the perimeter and use his handle to flow into dribble handoffs and drives.

Hope this helps you all get through the final days without Purdue basketball!