The Purdue Boilermakers continue their early-season slate with a home matchup against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Friday. This game features two key players, Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, who is dealing with a minor injury, and Oakland’s veteran leader Tuburu Naivalurua, a focal point for the Golden Grizzlies.
Both teams are looking to build rhythm, but Purdue enters as a heavy favorite after opening the season with a dominant win over Evansville. Oakland, meanwhile, aims to bounce back from a tough loss and prove they can hang with one of the nation’s top programs.
Purdue enters this contest as a national contender and looks to maintain its momentum before heading into more competitive non-conference games. For Oakland, this matchup is about testing its depth, improving defensively, and finding scoring consistency against elite opposition.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Oakland Golden Prediction
Purdue is projected to win comfortably. Most sportsbooks have them favored by around 30 points, with predictions hovering near 88–61. The Boilermakers looked sharp in their first outing, led by guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, who controlled tempo and shot efficiently.
Oakland’s defense struggled in its opener, allowing Michigan to score 121 points. Facing Purdue’s structured, high-efficiency offense will be another major test. Unless the Golden Grizzlies can tighten up on the perimeter and control the boards, this could get one-sided early.
Purdue Boilermakers and Oakland Golden Starting Lineup
Purdue Boilermakers Starting Lineup
- PG: Braden Smith
- SG: Fletcher Loyer
- SF: C.J. Cox
- PF: Trey Kaufman-Renn
- C: Oscar Cluff
If Kaufman-Renn remains out, Jack Benter or Daniel Jacobsen could fill in. Purdue’s bench depth provides flexibility, and rotations may expand early if the score margin widens.
Oakland Golden Grizzlies Starting Lineup
- G: Ziare Wells
- G: Nassim Mashhour
- F: Tuburu Naivalurua
- F: Michael Houge
- C: Isaac Garrett
Naivalurua is the engine of Oakland’s offense. Wells and Mashhour will need to handle Purdue’s defensive pressure effectively to keep the Grizzlies competitive.
Injury Report
Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn remains day-to-day with a hip and back issue that kept him out of the season opener. The staff expects him to return soon, but his status for Friday’s game is uncertain. No other injuries have been reported for the Boilermakers.
“He practiced [Monday], and at the end, a hip pointer started bothering him,” Matt Painter SAID. “He tried to go [Tuesday]. So, we’ll get some tests done and kind of see where he is. I don’t expect him to be out [long]. He might miss Friday, but I don’t expect him to be out a long time, if at all.”
Oakland enters mostly healthy, with no major injuries listed ahead of the matchup. The Grizzlies will need full contributions from their starting unit to withstand Purdue’s physicality and tempo.
Purdue should dominate this home game, but Oakland’s ability to respond early will determine whether the margin stays respectable or ends in another humiliating loss.
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