Summer session: Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn focuses on buckets and boards

This is what Matt Painter wants to see from Purdue rising senior Trey Kaufman-Renn.

“We need Trey Kaufman to be a better rebounder,” Painter said.

This is what Kaufman-Renn is prepared to give Purdue.

“I’ve got to hit open shots consistently. I think that’s the biggest thing,” Kaufman-Renn said.

Both will help determine how far the Boilermakers go next season.

Kaufman-Renn’s rebounding numbers will improve based on returning to the power forward position. He played center last season but will primarily hold down the same spot he did two seasons ago alongside Zach Edey.

Last season, he was Purdue’s big. He battled against centers but also defended predominantly post players since the options were limited.

“I think defensively, a lot of things will show when I’m given different responsibilities,” Kaufman-Renn said. “I had to guard the five because of the way our roster was structured and the way we played last year.

“I think I’ll be a much better rebounder. When I’m blocking out somebody that’s 60-70 pounds heavier than me, it’s a lot more difficult versus when you’re guarding the four where you can just hit and then go get the ball.”

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He averaged 6.5 rebounds last season, an improvement of 2.5 from his sophomore season playing next to Edey, who gobbled up most of the rebounds. Overall, the Boilermakers didn’t dominate on the boards – compared to previous seasons – but it’s an area that was addressed in the offseason.

As far as shooting, Kaufman-Renn made 59.5% from the field. Two years ago, he connected on 51.1% of his shots, mainly from the power forward spot.

“It’s one of those things where we’re going to get another three months where I work on my skill set, my jump shot, some other things,” he said. “I’m rebuilding in that area. I’m not perfect right now, but I’m in a much better spot than I was and have been. I’m excited for that coming up.”

Kaufman-Renn juggled a lot of responsibilities last season. Although those responsibilities don’t completely change heading into this senior year, Purdue has a different roster, and he’ll be in a better position to rebound.

“Instead of having to score all the time, having to do so much for how the team’s running, I can focus more on that, to be honest,” Kaufman-Renn said. “But besides that, my priority now is making that a priority when I step on the court, whereas last year, I cared about it, but I felt like there was so much responsibility that I had in other areas that it was just difficult.”

Kaufman-Renn won’t need to be a rebounding one-man show.

Daniel Jacobsen and his 7-foot-3 frame return with an additional 30 pounds that the sophomore added after last season. Jacobsen played in one game before suffering a season-ending leg injury and is expected to be a force on the boards as the backup center.

And there’s transfer Oscar Cluff, who has played at Washington State and South Dakota State. Last year at South Dakota State, Cluff ranked first in defensive rebound percentage (32.4) and fifth in offensive rebound percentage (17.2), according to KenPom.

When Painter explained what Cluff brings to the Boilermakers, Kaufman-Renn was so impressed that he “can’t wait to see it in person.” It will happen soon enough.

“The big thing coach Paint told me, he rebounds more per minute than Zach,” Kaufman-Renn said. “When I’m looking at the amount of rebounds that Zach got, just in practice and games, it was incredible. Anytime you can do that, especially at the level that we play, I just can’t imagine somebody rebounding more than Zach, to be honest. That’s just unbelievable to me. I don’t know how he did that. I’m just excited.”

It’s one of many reasons to be excited about next year’s team, which will flirt with the preseason No. 1 ranking based on who’s returning but also the additions made by Painter and his staff to improve the roster after the run to the Sweet 16.

Kaufman-Renn isn’t worried about the newcomers blending in and finding their roles.

“I’m excited,” Kaufman-Renn said. “I think it’s one of those things again; it’s going to take time. It’s going to take time to get people in different systems, especially the way that we play. We play a little bit differently than a lot of other teams. And it’ll take time for it to be perfect.

“But from what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen as far as their film, I think they’ll fit right in. Our coaches will be able to devise schemes and be able to put them in the best spots.”  

But what has a chance to separate the Boilermakers from the rest of the Big Ten and the nation is how they play the game.

“I think it’s really going to be key, and especially with this group,” Kaufman-Renn said. “We’ve played in a lot of different games, but I think as basketball players, we play smart. A lot of people dominate because they’re more athletic. They’re just better. We have a very skilled team, but our IQ allows us to be special.”

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