3/3/2025 Boilermaker Water Cooler Chat: Meeting Edition
Rants, ravings, and somewhat sensical opinions following the wild, wacky, and wide-wide world of Purdue sports.
My day job is in a corporate environment. I attend 3+ meetings per day, and proudly own a notebook that says “This Meeting Could Have Been an Email” on the cover. In fairness, meetings are necessary, and in my line of work are very productive.
Sometimes meetings could have been an email. Most times, however, they serve a purpose. Whether it be a corporate office, a field meeting at a job site, or just a coffee date, being in the same place and getting on the same page is necessary.
Purdue is blessed with having leaders in the athletic department, the coaching staff, and the players. The rumor mill swirled that one of Purdue’s best players, a hyper passionate, extremely intellectual individual, called a player’s only meeting. Purdue has been reeling, and a 4 game skid necessitates a meeting.
Even though the bandwagon for this Purdue basketball team has been lightened by half-assed fans jumping off, the burden of pulling this team forward is still very real. You circle the wagons. You talk through it. You get on the same page. Same place. Same time. Same page.
Wouldn’t you know it, sometimes meetings work out.
The Game:
UCLA 66, #20 Purdue 76
On December 2nd, 1967, Mackey Arena opened their doors for the first time. Their opponent was powerhouse UCLA, and their coach was the legendary John Wooden. Yes, we know Wooden’s history with the Boilermakers as a multi time All-American in the early 1900s. The day he returned as a coach, UCLA won a tight game on a last second near-half-court heave. Some 58 years later, Purdue finally got their revenge for that game.
Trey Kaufman-Renn was a leader both off the court and on, as he led the way with 29 pts. Braden Smith added 23 points and 8 assists, breaking the all time Purdue cumulative record in assists. Fletcher Loyer added 11 points. Camden Heide only scored 3 points, but hauled in 9 rebounds which helped edge the Bruins.
Purdue – UCLA Photo Gallery by Mark Elsner: https://iscpurdue.com/purdue-mens-basketball-vs-ucla-2-28-25/
Break It Down:
It wasn’t easy, but the Boilers got the burden of a 4 game losing streak off their shoulders. There seemed to be a new fire in the team early. Now, some of the old problems flared up yet again… but this team showed resilience overcoming a huge rebounding disadvantage and regrouping after having blown another double-digit first half lead.
During those 4 games Purdue lost more than just the contests. They lost their chance at a Big Ten regular season title. They lost their fire. They lost their edge.
Friday night was just what the doctor ordered. A game which was hard fought, against an NCAA tournament team, in which the Boilermakers faced (and ultimately overcame) adversity.
What Went Well:
- 696: Assists to date for Braden Smith, which is the Purdue record for most all time. Braden is only in his Junior season, so this number should expand greatly. Braden has a great chance to capture the all-time Big Ten assist record, and an outside chance to become the all time NCAA recordholder, if he improves next season. To date, Smith has assisted to 16 different players, leading to a whopping 1684 point total.
- TKR: His leadership spoke volumes this week. He put his money where his mouth is, so to speak, and played his heart out.
- 51.9%: Shooting for the game, including a sizzling 50% (11/22) from 3. This is a great sign, and if this continues, Purdue will be in position to win plenty more games the rest of the year.
Opportunities for Improvement:
- Hold on: for dear life… Purdue continues to blow double-digit first half leads. In a season where there have been logic-less momentum surges that have flipped games, Purdue continues to show that no lead is safe.
- No Lead is Safe: … because there are still defensive lapses. While there was some improvement this game, the Boilermakers need to get back to the nastiness that was so successful in January. Yes, I understand that there are advanced scouts, I understand that the tape is out, but it has worked in the past. Maybe another tweak or two can get this team in position to shore up the defensive end as the season winds down.
Big Man on Campus:
He called the meeting. He brought the thunder. Trey Kaufman-Renn did what leaders do. He got this team to the same place, at the same time, on the same page. His 29 points led all scorers, and was the catalyst for a much needed Boilermaker victory.
A Look Ahead:
The (as of this writing) #20 Purdue Boilermakers have two more games in the regular season. This Tuesday 3/4 Purdue plays their final home game, hosting a dangerous Rutgers squad. Following that, the Boilermakers take a short trip west to Champaign, to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini on Friday 3/7. Lets see if the momentum gained by this UCLA victory can help propel the Boilers to a strong showing in the final week.
It is March, baby! This is the month of madness!
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