Purdue, ranked No. 1 in the nation, defeated Rutgers men’s basketball 81–65 at Jersey Mike’s Arena in the Big Ten opener on Tuesday night. The Boilermakers built a 25-point lead early in the second half and maintained control throughout the game.
Trey Kaufman-Renn led Purdue with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Braden Smith contributed 16 points and eight assists. Purdue shot nearly 47 percent from the field and made 17 of their 20 free throws. The team also hit ten three-pointers, won the rebounding battle by eleven, and capitalized on Rutgers’ turnovers for additional points.
Rutgers fell to a halftime deficit of 40–27 and was unable to recover despite a strong performance from its bench. Freshman Harun Zrno scored all of his 13 points in the second half, making five of eight shots including three from beyond the arc. Dylan Grant also scored 13 points and recorded three steals for Rutgers.
Coach Steve Pikiell addressed the loss after the game: “Thank you guys for being here as always. Always appreciate you showing up for us. Obviously, when you are playing the number one team in America, you have to play better than that. Harun [Zrno] was terrific in the second half, which helped us a great deal. J-Mike [Jamichael Davis] always plays hard, but when you make a mistake against a really good Purdue team, they make you pay.
“Matt Painter does a great job with them; the point guard [Braden Smith] is just elite. Honestly, the backboards — we have to figure out the backboards because you cannot beat the number one team in America when you spot them plus eleven on the glass. It does not get any easier in this league. Michigan is as good as any team in the country, and they are another excellent rebounding team that is up next for us, so we have to focus ahead.”
Pikiell also commented on giving freshmen extended minutes: “Mostly energy, and I was really trying to find some rebounders too. We did not do a great job in that area, but the freshmen gave us some energy and can score a bit. Against Purdue, you have to be an elite defensive team and also score enough points to beat them.
“I liked how the young guys gave us a spark off the bench. Considering we have seven of them, you have to play them. We have to find minutes for them, and we are still a work in progress, especially when you are playing teams at this level.”
Dylan Grant sat during part of the second half due to rebounding concerns: “Dylan has to rebound, obviously,” Pikiell said. “That is the number one thing that guys like him and Darren Buchanan have to do for us — rebound…We need him to be really good…but we need him to rebound…”
On Baye Fall’s role: “I am just trying to find someone to rebound…We put him in and gave him a chance…If they keep swinging punches…we are going to eventually find guys who get up and rebound…”
Looking ahead at Michigan: “We have played minutes this year really well…but they are such an elite team…they surround the best point guard in the country with elite shooters…”
Pikiell praised Braden Smith’s performance: “First of all, he is such a good shooter now…he is tremendously crafty…He plays with experience and swagger…He can do everything — he will defend…”
Regarding rebounding issues: “There are a lot of things. There is a will about rebounding — something you cannot teach…We do more rebounding drills than any team in the country…” He added that consistency must improve both at practice and during games.
On solidifying rotations as competition increases: “The guys will find that solidified rotation…This team has had five different guys score over 20 points in a game — we do not have consistency…”
Discussing player retention amid transfer portal challenges: “Retention is a huge part of this…But that has been a challenge for three years…” He noted improvement among returning players but highlighted difficulties integrating newcomers quickly.
Purdue head coach Matt Painter attributed his team’s win partly to effective shooting early in each half: “I think it was our shot-making…Braden [Smith] made three threes early…TK [Trey Kaufman-Renn] and Oscar [Cluff] are pretty good offensive rebounders…”
Painter spoke about keeping momentum away from Rutgers’ home crowd: “I thought…the start of second half—was huge…we played well for about six-to-eight minutes there…this place can get really loud…”
Addressing Rutgers’ use of younger players amid college basketball’s transfer trends Painter said: “It works if you can keep them…that is why rule stinks because you can’t grow him if you can’t keep him…” He pointed out development challenges facing programs relying heavily on freshmen due to player movement.
Rutgers will next face Michigan on Saturday—another top-ranked opponent—marking its toughest consecutive matchups based on rankings since playing North Carolina (No.1) then Pittsburgh (No.3) during December 2008-09 season.
