A shift has emerged in the landscape of college basketball as Purdue leaps to the pinnacle of Jon Rothstein's top-45 teams entering the 2025-26 season. Long heralded as a close contender, Purdue has nudged Houston from the top spot, despite a seemingly strong off-season decision by Houston’s standout player Milos Uzan, who elected to withdraw from the NBA Draft to make a return to the Cougars.
This rise of the Boilermakers can be linked to a significant player movement during the off-season. Pop Isaacs, the former Creighton guard once committed to Houston, pivoted to sign with Texas A&M for the upcoming season, influencing Rothstein’s decision in reshuffling his rankings.
Last season, the Cougars reached the memorable heights of a No. 1 seed, advancing to the National Championship Game—a remarkable run that ended at the hands of Florida. Meanwhile, Purdue battled Houston in a nail-biting Sweet 16 contest, narrowly missing a victory with a 62-60 scoreline.
Highlighting Purdue's robust roster returning this season are key players Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer—collectively dubbed Purdue's "Big Three." They're joined by experienced guards CJ Cox and Gicarri Harris, stalwart center Daniel Jacobsen, and capable forward Raleigh Burgess.
Coach Matt Painter has also adeptly utilized the transfer portal, enhancing his lineup with Oscar Cluff from South Dakota State and Liam Murphy from North Florida. The Boilermakers’ recruitment efforts continue with promising newcomers Antione West Jr. and Omer Mayer poised to make their collegiate debut.
While preseason rankings may not determine the final outcomes, they do underscore the depth and experience Purdue will showcase this season. The Boilermakers are poised to be the team to beat in the Big Ten, eyeing their second trip to the Final Four in a mere three seasons.
Adding to the excitement, Purdue is actively shaping its future recruiting classes. They've put forth an offer to Darius Wabbington, a towering 6-foot-11 center, ranked among the top 20 in the 2027 recruiting class.
Furthermore, Purdue has set its sights on Dylan Betts, a promising 7-foot-2 center from the 2028 class, following a recent viewing by Coach Painter. In another recruitment highlight, Purdue has extended an offer to Jaxson Davis, the 2024-25 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year, a rising 6-foot-1 guard.
These strategic moves underline Coach Painter’s relentless pursuit of talent, aiming to keep Purdue at the cutting edge of college basketball competition.
