"It's going to be exciting": Purdue Coach shares honest opinion about Big Ten expansion ahead of 2024 season
The Purdue Boilermakers have become a major force to be reckoned with. They achieved back-to-back seasons finishing as the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten, culminating in an NCAA runner-up finish in the 2024 March Madness.
However, major changes are underway in the Conference as its size is expanding dramatically going into the next season. With four new teams joining the fray, the competition is bound to get even more intense going into next season.
Matt Painter, the head coach of the Boilermakers, is relishing the opportunity. In an interview with Rick Pizzo, he revealed his mindset going into the next season.
"You gotta keep it as a business trip. But it's going to be exciting. I've never been in the four arenas that we're gonna go to, so as a coach, and you've been in it for over 30 years, to come out and be able to play four schools, get to different arenas and see different things is pretty cool," Matt Painter said.
He believes that the incoming teams have a much harder task ahead of them rather than the pre-existing Big 10 crop.
"I think for us just going west one time, it's going to be much harder for the four schools that are coming in. They have to come east so much. So that's just gonna be a road trip for us, you know, get excited about it. Hopefully, win a couple games," Painter added.
With USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington joining, the incoming group has a distinctly Western flavor.
Daniel Jacobsen emerges as the top contender to fill Zach Edey's deficit that Purdue faces
Zach Edey has declared for the 2024 NBA draft, leaving a gaping hole in the Purdue squad. Edey was a force on the interior, with his traditional back to the basket game working effortlessly at the collegiate level.
Matt Painter has found Edey's replacement in Daniel Jacobsen, a four-star recruit, who's already dominating at the international circuit in the U-18 FIBA World Cup.
The 7-foot-3 center is the same height as his predecessor and showcased his all-around potential in a 22-point win over Argentina. Tallying 9 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks and a few nifty dimes as well. Further, his defense is a real asset, with his ability to guard the pick-and-roll advanced beyond his years.
While his 235-pound frame might need some work before it is effective at the NCAA level, coach Painter's comments about the competition do offer some optimism for the Purdue faithful.