#1 Purdue Zips By Akron, Painter Nabs Milestone

Akron kept the score close–for about eight minutes of the first half. The Zips actually held a 14-11 after a little more than five minutes played, and they were tied at 17 with Purdue at the 13:15 mark. At the final media timeout of the half, the Boilers only led 40-35, thanks to some torrid three-point shooting by Akron (7-for-15 at that point) to keep it close.

Purdue’s outside shooting was just as productive. They finished the half on a 12-4 run, thanks to 8-for-12 shooting from distance in the first twenty minutes, to take a 52-39 lead into the break.

The Boilers broke down the locker room doors to get after Akron in the second half. Their lead steadily grew throughout the final stanza, and after a Daniel Jacobsen alley-oop dunk, courtesy of a perfect Braden Smith dime, Purdue led 88-62 with 5:29 remaining. From that point on, the only question that remained was whether of not the Boilermakers would keep the pedal down to reach the century mark.

The Boilers shot 52.2% for the game, which was the first time this season they have shot over 50%. Five Purdue players scored in double figures in their balanced attack, and Jacobsen was one point away from making it six. Senior Trey Kaufman-Renn led the way with 17, to go along with a game-high 15 rebounds. Fellow classmates Smith and Fletcher Loyer added 16 apiece.

Omer Mayer registered his finest game as a Boilermaker. The freshman drained three shots from long range and scored a career-high 14 points off the bench.

Big man Oscar Cluff proved why he was such a prized catch in the transfer portal. The native Australian dominated the paint against the Zips, scoring 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting and snaring 14 rebounds in just 21 minutes of action.

Purdue owned the glass in this game at both ends. They enjoyed a 45-26 edge in rebounds, which included a 19-12 advantage in offensive caroms.

Purdue’s all-around success on Sunday was masterminded by Painter, but loyal fans of the black and gold have come to expect such greatness after 20+ years of similar prosperity.

Purdue’s Painter Joins Elite Group

Painter’s players made sure they made a big deal about their coach achieving his 500th career victory. Loyer gave Painter the game ball and all Boilers joined in to douse him with water in the locker room following the game.

While his guys made a fuss about it, Painter, who is never one to demand the spotlight, felt it was not that big of a deal.

“I think in time it does (mean something). Right now, we have a really good team, and I’m trying to take in this win, not really the number of the win, but just take in the win. Wake up tomorrow and get ready for Memphis,” Painter said after Purdue’s win. “I would think it’s a big deal if it wasn’t me, but it is me, so I don’t think it’s a big deal. I’m yet to see a really good coach with bad players. It’s a player’s game.”

End Of Purdue/Painter Rant

What does Painter attribute to his gaudy numbers? According to him, it is not because he draws up the best plays.

“Get the right players who fit together,” Painter said humbly. “Get them on the bus, get them on time, tell them the truth, and then have a lot of fun.”

If he keeps his squad punctual and avoids lying to them, this 2025-26 is bound to have lots and lots of fun over the next four months.