WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — After the departure of standout center Zach Edey, who garnered consecutive national player of the year honors before entering the NBA, many speculated on how Purdue would adjust to his absence. However, it seems the Boilermakers’ game plan remains largely intact, focusing heavily on continued ball distribution in the post, as Alabama’s coach Nate Oats discovered in their recent matchup.
In the game, forward Trey Kaufman-Renn shone brightly, connecting on 12 of 23 attempts, achieving a career-best 26 points while also securing eight rebounds. His performance helped No. 13 Purdue secure an 87-78 triumph over No. 2 Alabama, echoing the Boilermakers’ previous victory over the Crimson Tide that ended in a 92-86 score in Toronto last season.
Oats reflected on Purdue’s proficiency in post play, stating, “They may be the best post-up program in the country. They attract players who excel in this aspect, and they have the skill to feed them the ball effectively, as well as creating movement for shooters.” After evaluating prior game footage, Alabama didn’t anticipate having to contend with double post-strategies, which proved to be a miscalculation.
Purdue’s early games offered little indication of their potential strength, as they were outrebounded twice and were outscored overall in a total of 104-96. Additionally, the team faced challenges due to the potential season-ending injury of freshman center Daniel Jacobsen, who suffered a broken leg. Despite getting outrebounded once again in this contest, 37-35, and being outscored in the paint, 38-34, the outcome was more encouraging for Boilermakers supporters accustomed to their team’s traditional inside scoring.
Kaufman-Renn initially set the tone well before encountering foul issues, allowing his teammates, including forward Caleb Furst and freshman center Raleigh Burgess, to step up and exert pressure on Alabama’s defenders in the key area. Oats commented, “I thought we could outlast them, but Purdue indeed finished the game stronger. Kaufman-Renn kept getting looks; his 23 shots were unexpected on our end, but he scored 26 points.”
The focus on Kaufman-Renn, similar to the strategies employed with Edey, opened up opportunities on the perimeter. Guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer contributed with 17 points each, while freshman guard C.J. Cox ignited a crucial 13-0 run by sinking three consecutive 3-pointers, transforming a 65-59 deficit into a 72-65 lead that Purdue held until the final buzzer.
The game strategy was deliberate. Purdue coach Matt Painter noted, “If they’re avoiding double-teams in the post and employing a drop defense, it allows Trey more chances. When they play man-to-man, he’s afforded even greater opportunities. Our focus adapts based on what the defense gives us.”
Kaufman-Renn, who finished as the runner-up for Indiana’s distinguished Mr. Basketball Award in 2021, expressed satisfaction with his performance. “There wasn’t anything particularly special. I just analyzed what they were doing and adjusted accordingly,” he remarked, hinting at the importance such efforts may play for Purdue throughout the remainder of the season.