One thing that sets Purdue apart from the rest of college basketball in this new era of athletics is the program’s ability to retain players. Yes, the Boilermakers have lost a handful of guys to the NCAA transfer portal over the years, but coach Matt Painter has managed to keep his core group intact.
Purdue has seasoned leadership in Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Sophomores Gicarri Harris, CJ Cox, Jack Benter, Daniel Jacobsen and Raleigh Burgess all returned after one season in West Lafayette. It’s difficult to have that type of retention in today’s era of college basketball, where players can transfer at any time.
After Purdue’s 81-65 victory over Rutgers on Tuesday night, Painter was asked about Rutgers’ “youth movement” this season, with seven freshmen on the roster and six earning playing time in the Big Ten opener.
“It works if you can keep them. If you can’t keep them, who cares? If you keep a guy and you think, ‘Hey, he’s going to be pretty good,’ well, he’s going to be good for Rutgers then,” Painter said. “But if he leaves, that’s the dilemma. That’s why the rule sucks. Because you can get them, but man, you can’t grow them if you can’t keep them. That’s just the nature of development.”
Matt Painter on developing young players:
“You can’t grow them if you can’t preserve them.” pic.twitter.com/yFmEJDwdch
– FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 3, 2025
Purdue leaned heavily on its veteran leadership in Tuesday night’s win over Rutgers. Kaufman-Renn finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, Smith had 16 points and 8 assists and Loyer scored 12 points.
Having players who have been through the program is a major advantage for the Boilermakers and a big reason why they are 8-0 and in first place in the country.
“Think about the experiences that Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn had. They were freshmen in this building, they were sophomores in this building, you know what I mean?” said the painter. “We have an advantage, we have corporate DNA. We have guys who could coach our team, they coach our team. That’s what you want, you empower the people who stay in your program, who grow.”
Painter says it’s a college basketball problem
Painter may have been asked about Rutgers’ youth Tuesday night, but he knows Steve Pikiell isn’t the only one with retention issues. Players enjoy freedom of movement, which has completely changed the way coaches recruit and develop players.
“It’s not just a Rutgers problem; it’s a college basketball problem. Now, if you play kids and you live with them and they come in as sophomores, they’ll be better,” Painter said. “But if you can’t keep your core group together, that’s what makes it difficult. That’s why you see a lot of coaches say, ‘Hey, I’m going to stay with these kids,’ and then they leave them.
“That’s why you see people playing older guys and getting in the portal. Why not? You’re trying to win, you’re trying to get to the NCAA Tournament, you’re trying to win the Big Ten, trying to keep your job. It’s a tough racket to control sometimes.”
Unless more safeguards are put in place regarding the transfer portal, several college basketball programs will have to deal with this issue.
Get the best Boilermakers stories, expert analysis and can’t-miss moments delivered straight to your inbox for free by subscribing to Purdue Boilermakers on SI newsletter!
Related Purdue basketball stories
PIKIELL COMPLIMENTS SMITH’S GAME: Steve Pikiell had to coach Braden Smith for four seasons. What he says sets the Purdue guard apart from the rest of college basketball. CLICK HERE
3 THOUGHTS FROM PURDUE’S VICTORY OVER RUTGERS: No. 1 Purdue posted a 16-point victory over Rutgers in Piscataway on Tuesday night. Here are three thoughts on the Boilermakers’ win over the Scarlet Knights. CLICK HERE
