Head Coach Matt Painter and players spoke to the media following
The Purdue Boilermakers, in their third game of the season, defeated the visiting Yale Bulldogs 92-84 in a game where Purdue struggled defensively to stop paint scoring but continued to show as efficient of an offense as there is in the country. The Boilers allowed 50 paint points for the second time this season but shot the ball 53.8% from the field and 11-23 (47.8%) from behind the arc.
Let’s hear from Head Coach Matt Painter and players Trey Kaufman-Renn, Cam Heide, and Myles Colvin.
Purdue Head Coach Matt Painter
Matt Painter really seems to enjoy the way he and his staff have scheduled the last several years. For a man who enjoys challenges and seems to be about the details of everything involving how a program works, Painter has put on a master class the last several years, but this one might be his best yet.
Clearly he is working towards building this team, who is obviously lacking some quality to their roster without Zach Edey, for the conference slate and the NCAA Tourney. He praised Mark Few of Gonzaga and Tom Izzo of Michigan State in how they challenge their teams in the out of conference while also believing the selection committee look favorably at teams who challenge themselves in the non-conference. It is clearly working as the Boilers first three games have set them up well for a continuous level of improvement ahead of their games against the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide and #15 Marquette Golden Eagles.
Painter was also quick to praise Cam Heide’s steady nature with his 9 points and 6 rebounds that came within the offense while he didn’t try to force things. Those kinds of games could become a regular occurrence for the athletic wing now that TKR will be needed at the five more. Where Heide can really boost Purdue is in the rebounding area where Purdue has struggled, a piece that Painter also confronted in the presser stating “We have to have some glass eaters.” He isn’t pleased with players tipping balls around and not grabbing, specifically pointing out the need of Kaufman-Renn to rebound the ball more after only grabbing 3 against Yale.
Purdue Players Trey Kaufman-Renn, Cam Heide, & Myles Colvin
Notable here is TKR’s comments on playing the 5 and saying he actually prefers it as he is able to leverage some of his natural abilities against low post players. Hard to argue with the nifty front court player who has showcased a plethora of moves over the last several years but has really expanded his game to include being a plus shooter from outside and being able to hit short runners off the PNR with Smith. That PNR with Smith could inevitably be the go to for the Boilers when they need a bucket as long as Heide can continue trending in the right direction.
Speaking of Heide, he seemed to really relish the quality game that he had with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and going 2-3 from behind the arc. He gave thanks to his teammates for making sure he kept his head up and even shared that former teammate Lance Jones sent him a text earlier in the day that seemed to help his confidence. The Boilers will welcome that confidence as Heide’s presence at the 4 with his athleticism, shot making ability, and being capable of defending the 1-4 at a high level makes Purdue incredibly difficult to deal with on both ends.