Purdue basketball faced a challenging start to the preseason with a 78-65 exhibition loss against Kentucky in a packed Rupp Arena. Despite the defeat, head coach Matt Painter saw the experience as an opportunity for important lessons, acknowledging the real problems that the team must address before entering the regular season.
This marks the third consecutive year that Purdue has lost a preseason exhibition game on the road, having previously fallen to Arkansas and Creighton. Painter emphasized the importance of facing reality early in the season, saying, “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s really helped us.” He believes that the loss allows the team to identify their weaknesses and work diligently in practice to improve.
Throughout the game, Purdue struggled with shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, where they managed to hit only 17.8% of their attempts. The Boilermakers also faced trouble on defense and were outrebounded by the Wildcats, who capitalized on second-chance opportunities to the tune of a 14-4 advantage in that category. Senior guard Fletcher Loyer pointed out that the team must focus on both small and significant improvements moving forward.
Kentucky played without key players due to injuries, which made their offensive performance—to some extent—surprising. Purdue’s defensive issues were highlighted by their inability to contain Kentucky’s drives to the basket, with Otega Oweh, a standout from Kentucky, contributing significantly during his limited minutes. Painter noted that it often comes down to mental concentration in defense, emphasizing the need to keep the ball in front of players.
Despite the loss, Purdue’s roster includes promising talent aimed at enhancing their rebounding game, including transfer Oscar Cluff and established player Trey Kaufman-Renn. Painter’s rotation during the game is part of a broader strategy to find the right combinations for success.
While the initial results might not be favorable, this exhibition serves as a crucial stepping stone for Purdue as they prepare for a tough schedule ahead, including matchups against SEC forces and competitive Big Ten teams. The hope is that this early setback will motivate the Boilermakers to refine their skills, learn from their mistakes, and ultimately build toward a successful season.