In an era where college basketball rosters change as frequently as the seasons, Purdue stands as a monument to stability. The Boilermakers, coming off a 24-win season that culminated in a Sweet Sixteen appearance, are positioned for another championship run with an astounding 86% of their scoring returning to West Lafayette for the 2025-26 campaign.
Perhaps most impressive is the retention of three starters who faced UConn in the 2024 national title game. Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer and floor general Braden Smith all return to don the black and gold, bringing championship experience and proven talent to a program hungry to finish what they started.
The Power of Continuity: Boilermakers Reload for Another Title Run
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein highlighted this remarkable retention in a recent social media post noting “Purdue will return 86% of its scoring from last season’s team that won 24 games and reached the Sweet 16. Boilers will return 3 starters — Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, and Braden Smith — who started in the 2024 national title game versus UConn. The power of retention.”
Purdue will return 86% of its scoring from last season’s team that won 24 games and reached the Sweet 16.
Boilers will return 3 starters — Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, and Braden Smith — who started in the 2024 national title game versus UConn.
The power of retention.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 10, 2025
This level of continuity is nearly unheard of in modern college basketball. With the transfer portal and NBA draft constantly reshaping team landscapes, Purdue’s ability to maintain its core gives head coach Matt Painter a significant competitive advantage heading into the new season allowing for refinement rather than rebuilding.
Kaufman-Renn returns as a versatile forward who presents challenges for rivals because of his size and talent. His experience battling in the paint against UConn’s frontcourt in the national championship game provides valuable lessons that will serve both him and the team for the upcoming season.
The backcourt duo of Loyer and Smith represents one of the most experienced and talented guard tandems in collegiate basketball. Loyer’s shooting combined with Smith’s court awareness and leadership gives Purdue offensive weapons only few opponents can manage. Their chemistry developed over multiple seasons together creates an offensive fluidity that can’t be taught overnight.
The returning supporting cast complements the three headliners perfectly providing depth and versatility to a team that knows how to make a deep tournament run. This experienced core gives Purdue the luxury of integrating newcomers gradually rather than throwing them into the fire.
Beyond the three standout starters, Purdue benefits from a deep supporting cast including sophomore talents C.J. Cox and Daniel Jacobsen. Senior forward Sam King provides frontcourt experience while sophomores Raleigh Burgess and Gicarri Harris add valuable depth. Jack Benter and Aaron Fine round out a remarkably intact roster that few programs can match in the current transfer heavy era.
This wealth of returning talent gives Purdue the luxury of integrating newcomers gradually rather than throwing them into the fire. The team’s continuity extends beyond just the starters, providing coach Painter with experienced options at every position and the ability to maintain consistent play throughout the demanding schedule.
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With championship experience, proven scoring ability and the rare gift of roster continuity, Purdue stands as an early favorite for both Big Ten and national contention. As other programs scramble to build chemistry with new faces, the Boilermakers will hit the ground running, powered by a team that’s been through the wars together and understands what it takes to climb the mountain.
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