Hammer and Rails Reader Survey Results – Purdue’s 4th Most Important Player

Plus, an updated look at the predicted Big Ten finish.

If it’s Friday that must mean it’s time for the reader survey results to come back. This week I focused on the basketball team with Big Ten play heating up and the search for a fourth player to step up well underway. We all know who the three most important players for Purdue are, Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and TKR. It’s not a contest. So, who is the fourth most important?

Given his recent surge in play it’s no surprising that Caleb Furst ran away with this one. Purdue has played three games in 2025, all Big Ten opponents, and Furst is averaging just under 8 ppg, 29 minutes per game, and just over 6 rebounds per game. He’s been Purdue’s best rebounder during this time as well. That’s not to mention the great defense he’s been playing. His resurgence has also coincided with Purdue winning three games in a row by 18 or more. Coincidence? I think not.

Next, with Purdue sitting at 3-1 in conference play, and conference play being 20% over, I wanted to check in and see where everyone thinks Purdue will finish. It’s going to be tough to get that elusive Three-Pete but it can be done with the way this team has been playing right now. Still would love to have that Penn State loss back though.

22% of readers still believe that Purdue will win the Big Ten championship and I love that optimism. However, the vast majority, and a whopping 70% have Purdue finishing in the top four of the 18 team league. That would be a great accomplishment considering what Purdue lost in the offseason while also dealing with the lost of Daniel Jacobsen just one game and one minute into this season.