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Takeaways: Purdue's built to close, shooting depth and more from its blowout win over Auburn

On3 imageby: Brian Neubert12/21/25brianneubert

INDIANAPOLIS — Sixth-ranked Purdue added one more high-protein non-conference win to its résumé Saturday, dominating No. 21 Auburn at the Indy Classic.

Our GoldandBlack.com post-game analysis from the win …

Stats: Purdue-Auburn

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ON PURDUE BEING BUILT TO CLOSE

At halftime, it was evident that the second half was going to belong to Trey Kaufman-Renn after Purdue spent the first half wobbling Auburn from the perimeter. It was all set up to start turning the screws in the post, or the version of “the post” in which Kaufman-Renn exists. Point is: Purdue wears people out and Kaufman-Renn, with his physical nature, but also his ability to pass, is well-suited to be the Boilermakers’ top-rope guy.

That’s how it played out. Kaufman-Renn probably would have had 25 tonight had he not picked up his third foul just as he was set up to take over. He had to settle for 18 on 9-of-13 shooting, with an assist for a dunk and no turnovers.

It’s one example of how well built Purdue is to close games.

It makes people really work on defense, it changes speeds and on the interior, it wears on you. The psychological toll that making threes off offensive rebounds takes on opponents shouldn’t be overlooked. Purdue has depth — showcased tonight — and great guards who you want handling the ball late in close games.

It’s a really strong complementary complexion Purdue has that aligns well with finishing games and wearing opponents out.

Auburn missed nine straight shots in the final stretch of play. The outcome was decided by then, but it at least have a chance to launder the final margin. But the outcome was not decided last month at Alabama and Purdue closed that one out much the same way.

PURDUE’S SHOOTING DEPTH

Purdue has maybe the best three-point shooter in the country in Fletcher Loyer. He goes 0-for-7 tonight, but the Boilermakers still wind up shooting 46 percent, 12-of-26.

That’s unbelievable.

But it’s also a testament to Purdue stockpiling shooting, but also those players now being fully settled in alongside a point guard who can weaponize everyone and anyone at any time.

The shooting in the Auburn game was a credit to the players who made the shots, yes, but more so a testament to Braden Smith‘s greatness. He generates rhythm for his wing men and once they get going to keeps fanning their flames.

ON JACK BENTER

Forget the threes for a second, and forget the dunks he’s completed this season.

Jack Benter throwing his body around against bigger people, shaking off an old WWF DDT on fight for a loose ball, him taking charges … that’s the really significant stuff surfacing around a really smart and skilled player who’s also looking like a pretty tough, competitive and substantive player.

PURDUE HAS ITS MOJO BACK

Whatever happened in the second half against Iowa State can’t be undone, but what matters now is what Purdue makes of it.

The Boilermakers have been excellent since then, especially on defense.

If this level of everything endures, look out.

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