Takeaways: Evansville

 Our GoldandBlack.com post-game analysis from No. 1 Purdue’s 82-51 season-opening win over the University of Evansville Tuesday night in Mackey Arena.

PDF: Purdue-Evansville statistics

5 + 5 = BIG THINGS

Yes, the rebounding has to be much better, but that’s a tough read with mixed-up lineups, no Trey Kaufman-Renn and the opponent shooting a ton of threes again — meaning it’s not all on the centers — but the combined productivity of Oscar Cluff and Daniel Jacobsen tonight illustrated how much Purdue is transformed at the position now.

They totaled 20 points and 18 rebounds, with seven fouls drawn and only two turnovers. They did their scoring without Trey Kaufman-Renn‘s influence to play off and their rebounding and rim-protection initiated several fast-break opportunities, part of a 14-point transition-scoring night for the Boilermaker. This stuff really matters, as good offense starts at the defensive end and on the glass, the areas now strengthened beyond recognition from last season.

Purdue’s not going to get 20-and-18 every night from its centers, but 12-and-seven and a blocked shot every now and then would make all the difference in the world when comparing this season to last. More reasonably, if they just give Purdue presence at the rim, make most of their layups and dunks and contribute to keeping their team on the right side of the foul column, they’ll have made the whole operation better.

JACK BENTER’S NICHE

First of all, tonight showed that Jack Benter has a chance to be a really valuable long-term asset for Purdue, but also someone who might be able to really help now even after the role you saw him play vs. Evansville shrinks when Trey Kaufman-Renn comes back.

Purdue’s won a ton of games over the years with Jack Benters, those high-IQ dribble-pass-and-shoot types who just make for good offense. When you’re big, you don’t always have that at the 4; when you have it, it makes for dynamic offense, particularly when you value ball movement and scheme for post entries.

It’s stuff like that that made Vince Edwards so valuable at the 4. Robbie Hummel, too. Purdue loves movers and cutters at four positions, and as good as Trey Kaufman-Renn, Mason Gillis and Caleb Swanigan were, or are in TKR’s case, they’re not necessarily that.

When Purdue says it can play different ways now, this is what they’re talking about.

And the impressive thing about Benter tonight: He wasn’t shy. Young players rarely shoot great right away, because they have to learn where shots are coming from and they’re not always ready. They’re thinking too much.

Benter looks more seasoned than he actually is.

Coaches’ kids always seem to work at Purdue.

THE REBOUNDING ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH … YET

It’s kind of complicated.

Is Purdue strong at the rim? Yes. Will it be stronger when Trey Kaufman-Renn is back? Yes. Is Purdue completely transformed at center? Yes.

But offensive rebounds have been way too abundant for opponents, all over the floor.

Thing is, opponents are settling for, or opting for, a lot of threes, sometimes tough ones. Purdue wants to protect the paint first and foremost, no layups and dunks. So that part of it is a win.

But when you’re forcing threes, you’ve got to rebound them and the shooting team normally has a step on you because it’s facing the rim. Purdue has to do a better job getting bodies on every prospective offensive rebounder in view, and then running down the long ones.

Purdue, once whole, will have all the pieces to be a good rebounding team, but it has to do it.

ON A DEVELOPING MOLD FOR THIS TEAM

When Purdue’s front line is whole, if its size translates to physicality, then this Boilermaker team has a chance to look like a classic Tom Izzo Michigan State team, because it has an elite point guard and the Boilermakers are looking to run every chance they get. The key is the rebound, obviously.

But the Spartans built a Big Ten dynasty on rebounding and fast-break offense, along with a heavy dose of efficient three-point shooting. Purdue may check all those boxes, maybe not fully right away, but the goal is March, just like it’s always been for Michigan State.

But Purdue also has a bunch of guys who wouldn’t look out of place on those great Izzo teams. Gicarri Harris and CJ Cox both. Trey Kaufman-Renn certainly. Braden Smith as the Cassius Winston or Mateen Cleaves. And Oscar Cluff. The Spartans always had an Oscar Cluff.

Purdue built its program with Michigan State as its standard, slightly more so probably than Wisconsin. The Spartans were the mold and as molds have evolved over the years, Purdue might be trending toward looking like the very teams its program was constructed to beat.