Trey Kaufman-Renn, a forward for the Purdue Boilermakers and All-Big Ten player, has been a pivotal figure in the team’s success over the past year and a half. However, during Purdue’s last three outings against Penn State, Iowa, and USC, his performance has dipped, averaging only 8.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 37.5% from the field—significantly below his usual standards.
In a recent game against USC, Kaufman-Renn struggled, finishing with just five points on 2-of-8 shooting and only three rebounds. Despite these challenges, Purdue’s head coach, Matt Painter, reassured fans that there is no cause for alarm regarding his game. Painter acknowledged that Kaufman-Renn has been taking quality shots that simply haven’t found the net yet.
“He had a couple of good looks. When we got in foul trouble, offensively we liked going with him at the five; we knew we’d get him opportunities there,” Painter said. “I thought they were good shots.”
Although Kaufman-Renn’s last few games may seem underwhelming, he still stands as Purdue’s third-leading scorer, averaging 12.7 points per game, and leads the team with 9.1 rebounds per contest. His prior season showcased his scoring prowess, where he averaged over 20 points per game while shooting nearly 60% from the floor, prompting heightened scrutiny of his current performance.
Despite this slump, Coach Painter remains confident in Kaufman-Renn’s ability to regain his scoring touch. “TK will be fine. He just has to keep his focus, keep going, and play confident,” he said.
This season, Kaufman-Renn has already demonstrated his capability, with standout performances, including a recent game where he recorded 14 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in a win over Washington. With 13 double-figure scoring games and seven double-doubles to his name, he remains an essential contributor to the Boilermakers’ success.
Though he’s currently facing a rough patch, Kaufman-Renn’s proven track record shows he has the skills and resilience to bounce back in the coming games. The support from both his coach and fans highlights his importance to the team as they continue their campaign.