Purdue University Maintains Its Prosperity Despite Zach Edey's NBA Departure
In his time at Purdue, Zach Edey catapulted from a benchwarmer to an all-time great in men's college basketball, securing the national player of the year title twice - a feat last accomplished by Ralph Sampson of Virginia in the '80s. Now, Edey dons the Memphis Grizzlies jersey, a second-place Western Conference team vying for the NBA championship. With his exceptional play, Edey is expected to make the All-Rookie first team.
Remarkably, despite Edey's departure, Purdue persists, remaining atop the Big Ten Conference with an 11-2 league record and a 19-5 overall tally. This enduring success is a testament to head coach Matt Painter's adaptability, demonstrated recruiting abilities, and the resilience of senior players stepping up to fill larger roles.
Currently, Purdue ranks seventh in the Associated Press poll and is on a twelve-game winning streak, second only to Houston in T-Rank rankings, an evaluation criterion respected by the NCAA tournament's selection committee.
Unlike many programs, Painter prioritizes high school recruiting and retention, boasting a roster devoid of transfers. The Boilermakers mainstays include juniors Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith, and Fletcher Loyer, all Indiana natives.
Kaufman-Renn, who sat out the 2021-22 season due to injury, has taken center stage this season, leading Purdue with an average of 18.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 60.3% from the field. With standings in the sixth position for analyst Ken Pomeroy's Player of the Year list, Kaufman-Renn's All-America potential looms.
Meanwhile, Smith and Loyer, underestimated recruits, have consistently started together since joining the team as freshmen. Loyer has risen to a career-high 13.8 points per game, augmented by a career-best 46.7% in field-goal percentage, and 45.8% in three-point scoring. Smith is analogously flourishing, achieving career-highs in assists (8.8), points (16.1), steals (2.6), and shooting percentage (45.1%). His dazzling performance has earned him a first-team All-American candidacy, placing him second on Ken Pomeroy's Player of the Year chart after Duke freshman Cooper Flagg and Auburn senior Johni Broome.
Caleb Furst and freshman C.J. Cox have joined the starting lineup in recent weeks, bolstering Purdue's position, as they amass a 10-1 record since their inclusion. The roster also includes Camden Heide, Myles Colvin, freshman Gicari Harris, and Raleigh Burgess, between whom opportunities are shared in the rotation.
As of now, Purdue is projected as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, according to CBS Sports analyst Jerry Palm's projections, though inevitably subject to change in the next week. Facing tough challenges in the form of road games against Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State, the upcoming week will determine Purdue's future heading into March.
In spite of Edey gracing the NBA, Purdue has repeatedly demonstrated its impressive durability in the 2010s, claiming a top-5 seed spot in the NCAA tournament every year. Furthermore, Smith and Kaufman-Renn's All-American caliber seasons are poised to position Purdue for another deep NCAA tournament run.
[1]: "Top 16" instead of "Top 2" for consistency with other analysts listing rankings.[2]: Replace "Smith" with "Loyer" and mention the "shooting percentages" in the revised sentence.[3]: Incorporate enrichment data, stating Purdue's current standings and the projected NCAA Tournament rankings.[4]: Replace "achieves" with "has achieved" and mention "previous Big Ten titles" for clarity.[5]: Add data about Kaufman-Renn's 24 points and 10 rebounds against USC for context.
After Edey's success in the NBA, Purdue's basketball team continues to thrive in business terms, generating revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise. This financial success is a testament to the team's popularity and the draw of college sports.
With Kaufman-Renn's exceptional play, he has attracted interest from sports agents and business managers, potentially leading to lucrative endorsement deals in the future. His 24 points and 10 rebounds against USC have caught the attention of scouts, increasing his market value.
