Everything to Know About Purdue's 2025 Men's Basketball Team: Coach, Players & More
As the Boilermakers head to the Sweet 16, let's take a closer look at their squad.
The Purdue Boilermakers have a long history of basketball excellence, including frequent appearances in the NCAA men's basketball tournament to close out the season of college hoops. This season, Purdue made the tournament again after an excellent regular season (some of their Big Ten games aired and streamed exclusively on NBC and Peacock!), and they've already advanced to yet another Sweet Sixteen, setting up a potential run to the Final Four, and maybe even beyond.
So, as the Boilermakers prep for a shot at March Madness tournament glory, let's take a closer look at the 2024-2025 squad, from star players to the head coach.
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Recapping the Purdue Boilermaker's 2024/2025 men's basketball season
This was something of a rebuilding year for Purdue basketball, having lost the singular superstar Zach Edey to the NBA, and major players like Ethan Morton and Mason Gillis to the transfer portal (they're now at Colorado State and Duke, respectively). But even with some personnel challenges, the Boilermakers were able to put on a show, continuing the offensive onslaught for which they've become known.
Though they've struggled a bit defensively at points during the regular season, Purdue still managed to put up a 24-11 regular season record, and a 13-7 record in conference play, tying them for fourth in the Big Ten Conference overall. They entered the Big Ten Tournament in the second round, defeating USC, only to lose in the Quarterfinals to eventual Big Ten Champions Michigan. Still, the finish was good enough to rank them 22nd in the nation, and to earn a 4-seed in the Midwest division of the NCAA Tournament.
Purdue's star players for the 2024-2025 men's college basketball season
Edey, a two-time Wooden Award winner who'll be remembered as one of the most dominant players in recent men's college basketball history, left big shoes to fill on the Purdue squad, but other stars have risen to the occasion. During the 2024-2025 season, two key players have stood out as keys to Purdue's success.
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Junior Forward Trey Kaufman-Renn leads the team this season in points per game (20.3) and rebounds per game (6.5), and with a 59.9% shooting percentage he's one of the most efficient and prolific scorers in the country. Then there's Braden Smith, the junior point guard with 16 points per game and a team-leading 8.5 assists per game, which is good enough to make him the second-best passer in the nation. Between the two of them, with support from a team that also includes guard Fletcher Loyer, they present an offensive assault that's made the Boilermakers solid contenders this season.
Who is the head coach for the Purdue Boilermakers' men's college basketball team?
Now in his 20th season as Purdue's head basketball coach, Matt Painter came into the job with a lot of expectations. A former Purdue player, he took over for the legendary Gene Keady, who led the Boilermakers to the NCAA Tournament 17 times in 25 years.
Painter's already on the cusp of eclipsing Keady's numbers, as this season marks the 16th time Purdue has made the tournament during his tenure. Of those 16 appearances, eight have gone to the Sweet Sixteen, while two have gone to the Elite Eight, and one has gone to both the Final Four and the NCAA Championship game. Though he doesn't have a title to his name yet, Painter's one of the most successful coaches in the country, and is a five-time Big Ten Coach of the Year winner.
For more basketball news, head to NBC Sports! And get ready for the return of Big Ten Basketball to NBC and Peacock this fall.
