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WEST LAFAYETTE -- Purdue basketball fans expect Caden Pierce to step right into Trey Kaufman-Renn's vacant lineup spot next season.
Pierce said he watched the Boilermakers through another lens this season. The former Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton, who committed to Purdue on Thursday night, will have his own identity. He picked coach Matt Painter's program in part because he believes it's a place where that identity can thrive.
"One thing that really stuck out to me is the way coach Painter adapts to the type of players he has on his roster," Pierce said. "When I've been watching Purdue this year, I haven't necessarily been picking a player out there saying, 'This is what I do.'
"I have trust in coach Painter and coach P.J. Thompson. They just do a tremendous job with using the skill sets of the guys they have to the full extent of their abilities. They'll use me the best way for me to showcase what I can do."
Physically, there's not much resemblance. The 6-7 Pierce stands a couple inches shorter than Kaufman-Renn and weighs in about 20 pounds lighter. While the Tigers occasionally asked the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year to play center, that should not happen much on a Boilermaker roster blessed with size.
In other ways, though, Pierce seems like a safe bet to replicate the presence of the departing All-Big Ten forward. Painter planned to go to the transfer portal to address that position in one way or another. Left to the whims of portal entries later this spring, no one could guarantee a player of Pierce's caliber would be available.
Instead, Purdue added proven production.
Pierce averaged 8.2 rebounds while recording 28 double-doubles in 90 games at Princeton. That included a spike to 9.2 per game in his player of the year season as a sophomore. Lest those numbers be misconstrued as usage-inflated, his 27.3% defensive rebounding rate in 2023-24 ranked 16th nationally, per KenPom.
Pierce redshirted this season to save a final year of eligibility and confirmed he's held steady at 6-7, 220 pounds in his year away from organized basketball. He also regularly played in pickup games in New York City against former Division I and pro players.
With football in his blood -- his brother is Colts receiver Alec Pierce, and their father, Greg, played at Northwestern -- that physicality needs to translate to the boards.
NFL free agency: Colts WR Alec Pierce is a free agent; here's what he said about next year
"I'm very cognizant of that," Pierce said of the physicality upgrade from the Ivy League. "i know how physical and rugged the league is, especially teams like Michigan State and other teams in the Big Ten who are always physical and always play super hard.
"It's a dogfight every time you play in the Big Ten. I'm working on my body the best I can at this point."
Purdue's situation next to Pierce at the 5 is somewhat unclear while Oscar Cluff explores whether he can pursue another year of eligibility. At the very least, though, the frontcourt projects to include a third-year Daniel Jacobsen, third-year Raleigh Burgess off a year of redshirt growth, veteran walk-on Sam King and incoming freshmen Sinan Huan and Rivers Knight. Jack Benter has also capably filled in as an undersized 4 behind Kaufman-Renn this season, though optimally he will move over to the wing in conventional big lineups.
Pierce posted an Ivy League top-21 block percentage all three of his seasons. Matching up with other power forwards shouldn't be an issue. He can help more if his mobility helps defend shooters in the Boilers' scheme.
"We switched a ton at Princeton," Pierce said. "Growing up a smaller player, I played point guard in high school. I always guarded guards in AAU. I'm comfortable guarding a lot of different positions.
"As I've gotten bigger I've guarded different guys in colelge. I've prided myself on being a versatile defener."
Kaufman-Renn's singular physical tone has been integral to the team's identity for the past few years. It helped lead them through last season when roster dynamics forced him to play as an undersized center. It elevates them now as he exploits same-size matchups at the 4 -- such as with last Tuesday's 19-rebound eruption at Nebraska.
Pierce will need to adapt to bring similar intensity in a Big Ten setting. Whoever succeeded Kaufman-Renn, though, faced the same comparisons. Pierce played with a similar impact at his prior level. Time to level up.
The single-biggest difference between Pierce and Kaufman-Renn is the former's shooting identity. Kaufman-Renn has attempted 61 career 3-pointers. Pierce attempted no fewer than 79 in each of his three seasons.
He's a 32.4% career 3-point shooter on 275 attempts in the Ivy League. He displayed a quick release on catch-and-shoot opportunities and is not afraid to push beyond having his toes on the arc.
That's an element Purdue has missed in recent years. Mason Gillis -- also a good physical comp for Pierce -- was the last to bring that skill to starter's minutes at the 4. In terms of combining spacing and functional shooting all over the floor, Pierce can be a bonus. When he plays next to Jacobsen, five perimeter threats will spread out.
That point guard experience at younger levels can't hurt in the pick-and-roll game, where he's confident he can operate as both screener and facilitator.
Kaufman-Renn's passing and associated decision-making have always been somewhat underrated parts of his game. Pierce's assist rates from his final two seasons at Princeton (20.2 and 18.8) match up well with Kaufman-Renn's last two seasons (16.8 and 18.4).
Purdue, though, did not need a replacement TKR. More accurately, it sought a veteran presence at the same position -- one with a track record of production and a personality fit on a roster still capable of big things next season.
They wanted Pierce's skill set -- one which may merely sprinkle new elements into the same winning chemistry.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How Caden Pierce can replace Trey Kaufman-Renn for Purdue basketball
Continue reading...
Pierce said he watched the Boilermakers through another lens this season. The former Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton, who committed to Purdue on Thursday night, will have his own identity. He picked coach Matt Painter's program in part because he believes it's a place where that identity can thrive.
"One thing that really stuck out to me is the way coach Painter adapts to the type of players he has on his roster," Pierce said. "When I've been watching Purdue this year, I haven't necessarily been picking a player out there saying, 'This is what I do.'
"I have trust in coach Painter and coach P.J. Thompson. They just do a tremendous job with using the skill sets of the guys they have to the full extent of their abilities. They'll use me the best way for me to showcase what I can do."
Physically, there's not much resemblance. The 6-7 Pierce stands a couple inches shorter than Kaufman-Renn and weighs in about 20 pounds lighter. While the Tigers occasionally asked the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year to play center, that should not happen much on a Boilermaker roster blessed with size.
In other ways, though, Pierce seems like a safe bet to replicate the presence of the departing All-Big Ten forward. Painter planned to go to the transfer portal to address that position in one way or another. Left to the whims of portal entries later this spring, no one could guarantee a player of Pierce's caliber would be available.
Instead, Purdue added proven production.
What Caden Pierce's defense, rebounding bring to Purdue basketball
Pierce averaged 8.2 rebounds while recording 28 double-doubles in 90 games at Princeton. That included a spike to 9.2 per game in his player of the year season as a sophomore. Lest those numbers be misconstrued as usage-inflated, his 27.3% defensive rebounding rate in 2023-24 ranked 16th nationally, per KenPom.
Pierce redshirted this season to save a final year of eligibility and confirmed he's held steady at 6-7, 220 pounds in his year away from organized basketball. He also regularly played in pickup games in New York City against former Division I and pro players.
With football in his blood -- his brother is Colts receiver Alec Pierce, and their father, Greg, played at Northwestern -- that physicality needs to translate to the boards.
NFL free agency: Colts WR Alec Pierce is a free agent; here's what he said about next year
"I'm very cognizant of that," Pierce said of the physicality upgrade from the Ivy League. "i know how physical and rugged the league is, especially teams like Michigan State and other teams in the Big Ten who are always physical and always play super hard.
"It's a dogfight every time you play in the Big Ten. I'm working on my body the best I can at this point."
Purdue's situation next to Pierce at the 5 is somewhat unclear while Oscar Cluff explores whether he can pursue another year of eligibility. At the very least, though, the frontcourt projects to include a third-year Daniel Jacobsen, third-year Raleigh Burgess off a year of redshirt growth, veteran walk-on Sam King and incoming freshmen Sinan Huan and Rivers Knight. Jack Benter has also capably filled in as an undersized 4 behind Kaufman-Renn this season, though optimally he will move over to the wing in conventional big lineups.
Pierce posted an Ivy League top-21 block percentage all three of his seasons. Matching up with other power forwards shouldn't be an issue. He can help more if his mobility helps defend shooters in the Boilers' scheme.
"We switched a ton at Princeton," Pierce said. "Growing up a smaller player, I played point guard in high school. I always guarded guards in AAU. I'm comfortable guarding a lot of different positions.
"As I've gotten bigger I've guarded different guys in colelge. I've prided myself on being a versatile defener."
Kaufman-Renn's singular physical tone has been integral to the team's identity for the past few years. It helped lead them through last season when roster dynamics forced him to play as an undersized center. It elevates them now as he exploits same-size matchups at the 4 -- such as with last Tuesday's 19-rebound eruption at Nebraska.
Pierce will need to adapt to bring similar intensity in a Big Ten setting. Whoever succeeded Kaufman-Renn, though, faced the same comparisons. Pierce played with a similar impact at his prior level. Time to level up.
What Caden Pierce's offensive skills bring to Purdue basketball
The single-biggest difference between Pierce and Kaufman-Renn is the former's shooting identity. Kaufman-Renn has attempted 61 career 3-pointers. Pierce attempted no fewer than 79 in each of his three seasons.
He's a 32.4% career 3-point shooter on 275 attempts in the Ivy League. He displayed a quick release on catch-and-shoot opportunities and is not afraid to push beyond having his toes on the arc.
That's an element Purdue has missed in recent years. Mason Gillis -- also a good physical comp for Pierce -- was the last to bring that skill to starter's minutes at the 4. In terms of combining spacing and functional shooting all over the floor, Pierce can be a bonus. When he plays next to Jacobsen, five perimeter threats will spread out.
That point guard experience at younger levels can't hurt in the pick-and-roll game, where he's confident he can operate as both screener and facilitator.
Kaufman-Renn's passing and associated decision-making have always been somewhat underrated parts of his game. Pierce's assist rates from his final two seasons at Princeton (20.2 and 18.8) match up well with Kaufman-Renn's last two seasons (16.8 and 18.4).
Purdue, though, did not need a replacement TKR. More accurately, it sought a veteran presence at the same position -- one with a track record of production and a personality fit on a roster still capable of big things next season.
They wanted Pierce's skill set -- one which may merely sprinkle new elements into the same winning chemistry.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How Caden Pierce can replace Trey Kaufman-Renn for Purdue basketball
Continue reading...
