Two different styles at power forward sparks Purdue's offense; Boilermaker NCAA tournament notebook

INDIANAPOLIS – You’ll find Trey Kaufman-Renn around the rim and in the lane.

You’ll see Mason Gillis spotting up in the corner on the wing ready for a 3-pointer.

Individually, Kaufman-Renn and Gillis have enjoyed their share of big games. By combining their production, the Boilermakers have usually generated enough offense from the power forward spot.

Granted, Kaufman-Renn provided most of the numbers in Friday’s NCAA tournament first-round victory over No. 16 seed Grambling State with 11 points and seven rebounds. Gillis didn’t score, missing both 3-point attempts, but look for that to change Sunday in the second round against No. 8 seed Utah State (2:40 p.m., CBS).

The dynamic duo is one reason why Purdue has enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history.

“They complement each other very well because one posts so well and the other one shoots it so well,” sophomore guard Fletcher Loyer said. “They both play hard. When you get two 4 men in college basketball that aren’t afraid to go hit somebody and go get a rebound, they’re going to help your team win.”

That’s been the case all season.

Assistant coach P.J. Thompson, who calls Purdue’s offense from the sidelines, said the power forward position has been a big deal since he joined the program as a point guard.

He referred to Vince Edwards and Robbie Hummel as “guys who made Purdue’s offense special” and said the position has always been important to the program. But the Kaufman-Renn/Gillis combination is different because of the physicality and along with the talent the two bring.

And Purdue can showcase two different styles.

“I call a different game when Trey is in and when Mason is in,” Thompson said. “Maybe people prefer one or the other if you’re watching it, but as a coach – as someone who understands the game a little deeper – it’s not predicated on makes or misses. It’s drawing fouls, extra possessions on the glass, and wearing those guys out.”

That’s what Kaufman-Renn and Zach Edey do to opponents inside with their physical play and ability to dominate the rebounding. Although Gillis is more of a perimeter threat, it doesn’t take away from what the Boilermakers are able to accomplish inside.

The situation works because Purdue’s guards also understand the strengths of both players.

“Ever since I got here, I knew what each was good at individually,” point guard Braden Smith said. “I know Mason is going to pop because he’s going to shoot better than Trey. I know Trey is going to post because he can post better than Mason.”

Kaufman-Renn said the plan evolved organically, not knowing how the two would be utilized this season. The results are hard to argue.

For the season, the averages are roughly the same  – 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds for Gillis and 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds for Kaufman-Renn. The shooting percentages are close as well with Gillis hitting 49.3%, mostly from 3-point range, and Kaufman-Renn converting at 50.3% around the basket.

“It’s just played out,” Kaufman-Renn said. “Going into the year, I thought it would be something similar because we had such a good team last year. Me saying, ‘How can I help the team?’ I thought I was going to be in this sort of role.”

Gillis has helped push Purdue to the finish line in a handful of games with timely 3-pointers and Kaufman-Renn has delivered five double-figure scoring performances. Against Illinois at Mackey Arena, he scored 23 points when Edey dealt with first-half foul issues.

“If somebody has a hot hand, we’re probably going to go to that person but it’s good for the coaches to have options to manipulate the other team,” Gillis said. “Mix a lot of things up and lineups and It just helps us to have peace of mind.”

It also puts opponents in a bind unless they have a versatile player who can defend the paint and the perimeter. Since opponents are dealing with foul trouble, they usually have to go deep into their bench, giving the Boilermakers an advantage as the game unfolds.

“We get people in foul trouble a lot,” Thompson said. “You see a lot of the second, third and sometimes fourth big that sometimes don’t play. (Utah State) had a freshman big that didn’t play but we’re probably going to see him. When Trey and Zach are in together, they’re so physical that they accumulate fouls at a high level and forces you to see people you might not expect to see.”

RECOVERY TIME

Friday’s victory over Grambling State wasn’t the most physical of the season for the Boilermakers.

But it ranks up there with some Big Ten matchups.

Purdue has less than 48 hours to recover from the bruising battle, and different methods are used by different players.

Gillis said it’s more “mental than anything, having the right mindset.” He said staying off his feet is important outside of practice time. He also has received a visit from his chiropractor twice this weekend.

“I’ve been going to my chiropractor for three years now,” Gillis said.

For Loyer, it’s about his legs recovering with a lot of stretching, using rubber bands and making sure he’s loose for shootarounds.

“It’s getting my legs and mind ready and getting some rest and making sure I’m not sore or anything the day of the game and making sure I’m ready to go,” he said.

Following Purdue’s open locker media session, Edey, Gillis, Loyer and Camden Heide headed to the recovery pool at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.  

IN A GROOVE

After making only 4 of 15 from 3-point range during a seven-game stretch, Loyer has regained his touch.

He’s connected on 13 of 21 from beyond the arc in the last seven games, including hitting both 3-pointers on Friday. Loyer has made at least two 3-pointers in four of the last seven games.

“I also know it’s March,” Loyer said. “It’s win or go home now. I’ll do whatever I can to get myself ready to go.”

“LET ME EXPLAIN”

During his press conference, Matt Painter was asked about his mentality going into Sunday’s game, knowing the Boilermakers were heavy favorites and had most of the advantages.

“All right, let me explain something to you,” Painter said. “Everybody in the NCAA tournament is really good. Now when you go to that 32, everybody is that much better. They’re a really, really good basketball team, and they are well-coached. This is going to be a dog fight, all right. It’s going to be a dog fight. We’ve had a lot of experience here, all right, and we’ve had some disappointing days.

“Like, there’s no way we are looking past these guys. These guys are real.”