Purdue’s run in the AP Top 25 came to a halt Monday, when the preseason college basketball poll dropped and the Boilermakers were nowhere to be found in the top 25. The streak ended at 79 straight weeks, a stretch that underscored how steady Purdue has been at the top of the sport.
Still, the omission may wind up helping the Boilermakers more than hurting them as they head into the 2026-27 season. Purdue was hardly forgotten entirely, landing 53 votes and checking in at No. 28 overall, but the bigger point is what being outside the rankings can do for a team with new pieces and new responsibilities.
Preseason rankings carry weight, but they don’t decide anything. In Purdue’s case, they can also bring a burden, especially after last season’s group entered the year as the No. 1 team in the country. This roster has returning talent and real depth in the backcourt, but with fresh faces moving into larger roles, there’s value in letting the season unfold without the weight of a lofty number beside the name.
That also changes the feel of the expectations. Instead of starting from a place where perfection is assumed, Purdue gets the chance to grow in public, piece by piece, in front of its own fan base. The path to climbing back into the rankings can carry more meaning than simply arriving there with the preseason label already attached.
The Boilermakers also won’t open with a ranked opponent in the polls, even if the matchup itself already has plenty of juice. Purdue hosts No.
15 Gonzaga on Nov. 2, and the lack of a top-25 spot adds another layer to that game. The Boilermakers can make an immediate statement by showing they belonged in the conversation all along.
That fits the identity of this team as it was described Monday: Purdue has long been the program others chase, but this group may need to take on a different role. In 2026, the Boilermakers will be the hunters, and young players will get a chance to establish themselves as the next stars to shine in Mackey Arena.
There will be skepticism along the way, and this first AP snub is only the opening example. Purdue may not beat Gonzaga in the opener, but the expectation here is that the Boilermakers will work their way back into the top 25 later in the season.
After watching Purdue’s first exhibition, there’s reason to believe this won’t be a rebuilding year. It can be a building-block season instead, one where the team grows into something stronger than the preseason poll suggests.
Purdue may not be a national title contender right away, but it has a chance to prove plenty of people wrong, starting with the voters who left it out on Monday.
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Kansas Just Added A Purdue Veteran Bill Self Can Actually Use
Trey Kaufman-Renns college career has taken a surprising turn after five seasons at Purdue, where he developed into one of the Big Tens most experienced and decorated forwards. The veteran big man brings a rsum that includes first-team All-Big Ten honors and honorable mention All-American recognition, along with the kind of NCAA Tournament exposure programs value when the calendar turns and the games get tighter.
Kansas now has a proven frontcourt piece in the fold, and the timing is notable given the uncertainty around his next step. A court ruling opened the door for him to keep playing while his case against the NCAA moves forward, giving Bill Self another seasoned option to lean on as the Jayhawks try to add more stability and depth inside. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Suddenly Has Two Problems It Can't Ignore
Purdue came out of its matchup with Washington having done the hard part on defense, only to watch the offense give away the edge. The Boilermakers forced five turnovers, but they could manage only six points off those takeaways, a frustrating waste in a game where hidden yardage and field position should have mattered far more.
The defensive side had its own setback when Hiduri Hines was lost early, and Washington took advantage with a steady stream of explosive plays. Barry Odom pointed to trouble up front and a running game that never found traction, two issues Purdue cannot afford to let linger if it wants to turn recent takeaways into actual wins. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Looked Very Different And Still Gave Fans Plenty To Debate
Purdues first exhibition without Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn brought a noticeably different look, but it still produced plenty for fans to chew on in an 87-55 win over Ball State. The Boilermakers leaned hard into perimeter shooting and, by the end of the night, the offense felt built around a style that looked less familiar and more spread out than what Purdue supporters have been used to seeing.
There were also a few individual performances worth sorting through as the staff begins to define roles for this new group. Daniel Jacobsen, in particular, flashed the kind of all-around impact that can change the conversation around the frontcourt, and his minutes gave the building an early glimpse of how much versatility Purdue may be able to tap into this season. [Read more 🡒]