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The 2026 Final Four is in Indianapolis. How perfect would it be for Purdue basketball to play for the national championship so close to home?
The Boilermakers are viewed today as a potential title contender. Of course, these are called way-too-early rankings for a reason.
In Purdue's case, the top three scorers from a Sweet 16 team are scheduled to return, and its 2025-26 roster is much more of a known quantity than any other high-level program.
For anyone interested, Boilers fans (as can fans of any team) can apply for 2026 Final Four tickets.
Transfer portal tracker: Who's in, out for Matt Painter's Boilermakers
"There's a chance Purdue has the preseason Wooden Award favorite and two All-Americans on its roster next season. Braden Smith will be the best guard in the country, after taking the next step in his development this past season, and Trey Kaufman-Renn is a dominant paint force. The addition of South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff should help inside, and a healthy Daniel Jacobsen could be poised for a breakout season."
"Talent plus roster continuity is a winning formula, and no team has a better combination of that at this moment than Purdue. The Boilermakers’ perimeter depth took a hit with the recent departures of Myles Colvin (to Wake Forest) and Camden Heide (Texas), but this will be the only team returning a first-team AP All-American in Braden Smith, not to mention an honorable mention in forward Trey Kaufman-Renn. When Houston prepped for Purdue in the Sweet 16, the Cougars’ coaches took to calling Smith, Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer “Stockton, Malone and Hornacek.
"Coach Matt Painter added a veteran big who is an elite rebounder in South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff, who was a starter on the Washington State team that won an NCAA tournament game in 2024. Daniel Jacobsen could emerge as the next star Purdue big ... Jacobsen could provide the rim protection this season’s group really missed without Zach Edey. It’s also possible Purdue could add one perimeter player or more, which would strengthen the Boilers’ preseason No. 1 case."
Insider: Oscar Cluff was destined to be a boilermaker. His world tour found Purdue's 'basketball heaven'
"The Boilermakers made the Sweet 16 and gave Houston all it could handle in that game. They should have as much returning experience and perimeter firepower as anybody in the sport next season. Braden Smith could very well be the preseason national player of the year after being a finalist for the Naismith Award this season, while his backcourt sidekick, Fletcher Loyer, will also be back. Trey Kaufman-Renn headlines the frontcourt after his strong 2024-25 campaign, while the Boilers have made one of the biggest splashes in the portal with South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff (17.6 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 2.8 APG)."
Doyel: Braden Smith gave Houston problems. It honored the Purdue basketball star's greatness
"Purdue can essentially start on third base this offseason if it can retain its strong nucleus from 2024–25. Point guard Braden Smith and forward Trey Kaufman-Renn profile as likely All-Americans as seniors, while third option Fletcher Loyer is on track to score over 1,500 career points as a Boilermaker. And while the Boilermakers have traditionally not been active in the portal, coach Matt Painter has already made one dynamite addition with double-double machine Oscar Cluff to help solidify a weak frontcourt. They could add another piece or two to boost their athleticism and size on the wings."
"The Boilers needed a larger inside presence to go along with star Trey Kaufmann-Renn, and they’ll not only have 7-4 Daniel Jacobsen coming off an injury redshirt season but now transfer big Oscar Cluff, who averaged a double-double at South Dakota State. The backcourt of All-American Braden Smith and shooter Fletcher Loyer should be intact for a fourth consecutive season."
"Braden Smith is back. Trey Kaufman-Renn is back. Fletcher Loyer is back. Matt Painter is back. Anything else you need to hear? Purdue is going to be potent offensively."
Insider: Purdue's Gicarri Harris using 'Big Dog' mentality to make his own name
"Will rising senior guard Braden Smith return and continue his record-setting career with the Boilermakers? What about forward and leading scorer Trey Kaufman-Renn? Those questions loom large over Purdue’s 2025-26 season and the potential pecking order at the top of the Big Ten. If so, the Boilermakers will have a veteran-laden team capable of winning the league and getting to the Final Four. If not, Purdue will have to rally around Fletcher Loyer, C.J. Cox, Gicarri Harris and new center Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State)."
"Last year was supposed to be a down year for the Purdue Boilermakers. While their 2024-25 season certainly had its ups and downs, a Sweet 16 finish is not something that would qualify as a 'down' year. While Purdue surprisingly lost some depth pieces to the transfer portal, the lingering question in West Lafayette holds at the time of publication: Will Braden Smith and Trey Kauffman-Renn return?
"Supplementing the duo with the terrorizing double-double threat Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State) and of course, sharpshooter Fletcher Loyer. The Boilermakers will be among the top teams in the country next season."
Loss, Ivy League, 'unbelievable kid': Purdue basketball freshman C.J. Cox total package
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
April 4 and 6, 2026.
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times. Final Fours have been at Market Square Arena (1980), the RCA Dome (1991, '97, 2000, '06) and Lucas Oil Stadium (2010, '15, '21).
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball way too early rankings, 2026 Final Four odds
Continue reading...
The Boilermakers are viewed today as a potential title contender. Of course, these are called way-too-early rankings for a reason.
In Purdue's case, the top three scorers from a Sweet 16 team are scheduled to return, and its 2025-26 roster is much more of a known quantity than any other high-level program.
For anyone interested, Boilers fans (as can fans of any team) can apply for 2026 Final Four tickets.
Transfer portal tracker: Who's in, out for Matt Painter's Boilermakers
Top 25 rankings for college basketball 2025-26: Where is Purdue in way-too-early rankings?
Jeff Borzello, ESPN: 2nd
"There's a chance Purdue has the preseason Wooden Award favorite and two All-Americans on its roster next season. Braden Smith will be the best guard in the country, after taking the next step in his development this past season, and Trey Kaufman-Renn is a dominant paint force. The addition of South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff should help inside, and a healthy Daniel Jacobsen could be poised for a breakout season."
C.J. Moore, The Athletic: 1st
"Talent plus roster continuity is a winning formula, and no team has a better combination of that at this moment than Purdue. The Boilermakers’ perimeter depth took a hit with the recent departures of Myles Colvin (to Wake Forest) and Camden Heide (Texas), but this will be the only team returning a first-team AP All-American in Braden Smith, not to mention an honorable mention in forward Trey Kaufman-Renn. When Houston prepped for Purdue in the Sweet 16, the Cougars’ coaches took to calling Smith, Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer “Stockton, Malone and Hornacek.
"Coach Matt Painter added a veteran big who is an elite rebounder in South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff, who was a starter on the Washington State team that won an NCAA tournament game in 2024. Daniel Jacobsen could emerge as the next star Purdue big ... Jacobsen could provide the rim protection this season’s group really missed without Zach Edey. It’s also possible Purdue could add one perimeter player or more, which would strengthen the Boilers’ preseason No. 1 case."
Insider: Oscar Cluff was destined to be a boilermaker. His world tour found Purdue's 'basketball heaven'
John Fanta, Fox Sports: 2nd
"The Boilermakers made the Sweet 16 and gave Houston all it could handle in that game. They should have as much returning experience and perimeter firepower as anybody in the sport next season. Braden Smith could very well be the preseason national player of the year after being a finalist for the Naismith Award this season, while his backcourt sidekick, Fletcher Loyer, will also be back. Trey Kaufman-Renn headlines the frontcourt after his strong 2024-25 campaign, while the Boilers have made one of the biggest splashes in the portal with South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff (17.6 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 2.8 APG)."
Doyel: Braden Smith gave Houston problems. It honored the Purdue basketball star's greatness
Kevin Sweeney, Sports Illustrated: 2nd
"Purdue can essentially start on third base this offseason if it can retain its strong nucleus from 2024–25. Point guard Braden Smith and forward Trey Kaufman-Renn profile as likely All-Americans as seniors, while third option Fletcher Loyer is on track to score over 1,500 career points as a Boilermaker. And while the Boilermakers have traditionally not been active in the portal, coach Matt Painter has already made one dynamite addition with double-double machine Oscar Cluff to help solidify a weak frontcourt. They could add another piece or two to boost their athleticism and size on the wings."
Mike DeCourcy, Sporting News: 6th
"The Boilers needed a larger inside presence to go along with star Trey Kaufmann-Renn, and they’ll not only have 7-4 Daniel Jacobsen coming off an injury redshirt season but now transfer big Oscar Cluff, who averaged a double-double at South Dakota State. The backcourt of All-American Braden Smith and shooter Fletcher Loyer should be intact for a fourth consecutive season."
Isaac Trotter, 247 Sports: 9th
"Braden Smith is back. Trey Kaufman-Renn is back. Fletcher Loyer is back. Matt Painter is back. Anything else you need to hear? Purdue is going to be potent offensively."
Insider: Purdue's Gicarri Harris using 'Big Dog' mentality to make his own name
USA TODAY: 11th
"Will rising senior guard Braden Smith return and continue his record-setting career with the Boilermakers? What about forward and leading scorer Trey Kaufman-Renn? Those questions loom large over Purdue’s 2025-26 season and the potential pecking order at the top of the Big Ten. If so, the Boilermakers will have a veteran-laden team capable of winning the league and getting to the Final Four. If not, Purdue will have to rally around Fletcher Loyer, C.J. Cox, Gicarri Harris and new center Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State)."
Cole Amundson, Busting Brackets: 2nd
"Last year was supposed to be a down year for the Purdue Boilermakers. While their 2024-25 season certainly had its ups and downs, a Sweet 16 finish is not something that would qualify as a 'down' year. While Purdue surprisingly lost some depth pieces to the transfer portal, the lingering question in West Lafayette holds at the time of publication: Will Braden Smith and Trey Kauffman-Renn return?
"Supplementing the duo with the terrorizing double-double threat Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State) and of course, sharpshooter Fletcher Loyer. The Boilermakers will be among the top teams in the country next season."
Loss, Ivy League, 'unbelievable kid': Purdue basketball freshman C.J. Cox total package
Where is 2026 Final Four?
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
When is 2026 Final Four?
April 4 and 6, 2026.
Has Indianapolis hosted a Final Four?
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times. Final Fours have been at Market Square Arena (1980), the RCA Dome (1991, '97, 2000, '06) and Lucas Oil Stadium (2010, '15, '21).
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball way too early rankings, 2026 Final Four odds
Continue reading...
