Purdue’s giant hole in the middle

Good morning! If the college basketball season is anything like the start of this NFL season, it’s gonna be a fun season. (Scratching my head over the Falcons…)

Daily News for Curious Minds

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Sign up now!

1. Time for a Purdue magic trick

Has anyone ever left bigger shoes to fill than Zach Edey?

Over the last two seasons, the two-time NPOY led Purdue to 63 wins, a pair of Big Ten regular-season titles and a long-overdue trip to the Final Four. The 7-4 Edey was the center of gravity for the Boilermakers, and altered every game he played.

So. How do you replace a guy like that?

You can’t. You don’t. The best you can do is Moneyball it, and replace him in the aggregate.

It’s not like the cupboard is bare. Braden Smith is back, and will be on the shortlist for Big Ten POY. Fletcher Loyer’s a two-year starter. Trey Kaufman-Renn started all 39 games. Myles Colvin and Cam Heide are primed for breakout seasons. And there’s a relatively deep bench that has benefitted from Purdue’s player development system.

Still. As the DTF crew discusses, one does not simply step into Mackey Arena and not miss Zach Edey.

That player development is the key.

Coach Matt Painter has always been a coach who focuses on his principles; if a freshman comes in, works hard, they’ll get a chance to play. And it’s hard to argue with Painter’s results over the last 19 seasons. Few coaches can match his consistent success. And that success has come with upperclassmen.

Not that there’s universal agreement about the Boilermakers’ upside. Rob Dauster says Purdue’s a Top 10 team. Terrence Oglesby is more skeptical.

And Ant Wright, a guy who’s as knowledgeable as ay Big Ten observer in the sport, agrees that the talent is there, even if Painter didn’t pursue any transfers (a little surprising considering how effective Lance Jones was last season?). But Wright notes that the best team doesn’t always win the Big Ten and says Illinois and Indiana are more talented.

Will that talent be the difference? Purdue will be consistent and may very well win the Big Ten again.

If it wins without Edey, it’ll be quite the testament to the program.

2. Oklahoma’s 7-foot Dane

Porter Moser hasn’t made an NCAA Tournament in three seasons at Oklahoma. He’s also never had a 7-footer of note (I’m not counting Rick Issanza).

Maybe 2025-26 is when both things come together?

Subscribe to Premium to read the rest.