Purdue devoted much of its preseason to playing with different lineups, trying to decipher which configurations might work best and who might function best with whom. With Saturday’s exhibition at Creighton just around the corner, there are no definitive answers other than the fact that Matt Painter values ​​the flexibility he will have.

At the heart of the malleability of Purdue’s lineup is toughness in the frontcourt Trey Kaufman-Rennwho will play both as a big forward and as a ‘small’ centre, without having to play as a traditional centre.

There seems to be a clear demarcation point between these two setups and the various other moving parts that come with them.

“I think we’re really good when I’m at the 5 offensively, with a lot of different plays we can get into and things we can’t do otherwise,” Kaufman-Renn said. “But I think we’ll be better defensively with me at the 4.”

For his part, Painter has no questions about the offensive power of playing Kaufman-Renn in the middle next to, most likely, Camden Heath at the 4, where the sophomore can spread the floor with his shooting and likely beat most opponents in transition and as a switchable defender.

“I like it offensively,” Painter said. “The question is how much I like it defensively.”

The most important part of defense, you might say, is rebounding.

There is the concern that the smaller configurations could be vulnerable on the glass. But the days of ultimate magnitude for Purdue didn’t end with Zach Edey.

Seven-footer Will Berg is Purdue’s “most physical player,” Painter said.

“We just have to make sure he’s physical, without making mistakes,” Painter said.

That physicality would – should – appear on the glass and in Berg’s screen setting – while I am a freshman Daniel Jacobsenready or not, will bring exceptional height and length to the frontcourt, plus speed (relative to height), a shot-blocking presence and three-point range.

“There’s not a lot of separation in our frontcourt,” Painter said. “You can go a lot of different ways. Nothing is clear.”

Throughout the preseason, Kaufman-Renn and guards have been Purdue’s clear starters Braden Smith And Fletcher Loyerthe parts around it change regularly.

But one piece of the puzzle that may have fallen into place around them is freshmen Gicarri Harriswho may open the season as a starter and is positioned to play a big role for the Boilermakers.

Purdue covets the value of having an extra ballhandler on the floor with Smith and Loyer and often set up defensive matchups to get Harris on the ball instead of Smith, as they did at times last season with Lance Jones.

“I like a lot of different looks

“It helps (Smith and Loyer) when you have a third ballhandler and another guy who can guard the point.”

Considerations.

“I know it will be a force offensively.”