Big Ten Basketball: Updated 2021-22 preseason rankings after NBA Draft decisions
492. . . . Boilermakers . 2. team
All-conference star forward Trevion Williams made this an easy offseason for Purdue’s staff. After averaging 15.5 ppg and 9.1 rpg to lead the way, the 6’10 big man opted to not even go through with the NBA Draft process, giving the team essentially its entire roster back after getting a 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
It’s hard to find a real weakness on this roster. Even after losing Aaron Wheeler to St. John’s, the Boilermakers arguably upgraded thanks to the arrival of top-60 freshman Caleb Furst and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Furst, in particular, looked impressive with the U19 USA Team and will be getting rotation minutes behind Williams and 7’3 sophomore Zach Edey.
The backcourt is all back as well, led by national breakout candidate guard Jaden Ivey. Starters Mason Gillis, Brandon Newman, Sasha Stefanovic, and Eric Hunter all are good shooters and defenders, along with Isaiah Thompson who was in the rotation as well.
The projected rotations won’t be hard to imagine but one thing to look for is whether or not Williams and Edey will play much together on the court. The lack of spacing between them made things awkward offensively last season, so if Gillis can continue to improve his shooting, Williams/Edey will be unstoppable inside.