Matt Painter Expects Big Jump from Purdue Center Daniel Jacobsen

Last year, Jacobsen found himself in a unique situation. Purdue had multiple options at the center spot. Cluff provided the Boilers with great rebounding and a post scorer. Painter could also switch Kaufman-Renn into the five spot if he wanted to play small.

Those different lineups may have hindered Jacobsen's growth in his first full season. Although he logged almost 13 minutes per game, he was unable to play through his mistakes because of the options Painter could utilize.

"To be able to grow and develop, you've gotta be able to play through your mistakes," Painter said. "Everyone goes, 'Let him play through his mistakes.' Well, it's all in comparison; it's all relative. Who's there with you? At times, I didn't play TK as the undersized five ... then we'd get against certain people, and he would just wear people out if I put him at the five.

"When we did that more with TK, it's going to affect somebody, and it affected Daniel. Whether that's fair or not, that's the way it is. That's basketball."

Jacobsen will have more opportunities this season

As the Big Ten season wore on, Jacobsen's minutes declined. At times, it appeared as though the grind of a college basketball season wore down Purdue's backup big man.

Physically, Jacobsen must improve his strength to compete with some of the stronger post players the Boilermakers will face during the 2026-27 season. He has shown flashes of brilliance as a scorer and shot blocker, but must improve as a rebounder and withstand physical post battles.

With Cluff and Kaufman-Renn departing, though, Jacobsen will have more opportunities to work through those mistakes and carve out a bigger role for himself in Purdue's rotation.

"Now, he's going to have more of an opportunity," Painter said. "He stayed, he wants to be here, and I expect him to have a big year."

Purdue has developed big men into NBA-caliber prospects over the years. JaJuan Johnson, Isaac Hass, Caleb Swanigan, A.J. Hammons, Zach Edey and Trey Kaufman-Renn are just a few names who transformed into big-time players while in West Lafayette.

Could Jacobsen be the next in a long line of big men to have a high level of success at Purdue?