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Takeaways: Purdue ranked No. 1 again

On3 imageby: Brian Neubert10/14/25brianneubert
Purdue coach Matt Painter
Purdue coach Matt Painter

Following a similar landing on numerous preseason rankings, Purdue opened at No. 1 in the first AP Top 25 poll of the season, released Monday.

It wasn’t all that surprising considering the drip of top spots that came out prior, but it did say some things about Purdue’s program.

RESPECT FOR PURDUE, PAINTER

Purdue brings back, and has really augmented, a great team, but the truth is that the Boilermakers really didn’t win anything last season. Many of these players were part of a Final Four and multiple Big Ten titles prior, but last season, Purdue didn’t win its league and though pushing Houston to its breaking point was significant, the Sweet 16 is basically par for Purdue at this point.

AP voters believe in Matt Painter to have righted the limitations that did hold Purdue back last season from a championship level. Those paying close enough attention know that to be true.

Yes, voters tend to gravitate toward the best players, and Purdue has arguably the best in Braden Smith, but also to coaches’ reputations. Painter is getting the sort of benefit of the doubt now that Tom Izzo has has many years and Bo Ryan did for years prior to his retirement.

HEAVY LIES THE CROWN

Purdue should be used to this by now, but the reality that comes with No. 1 is that everywhere you play, it’s an event. Opponents’ crowds are going to be primed to storm the court and those teams playing not just to win, but to make history at their schools.

It is a good problems to have if you’d call it a problem at all, but it’s the burden of being among the best.

People look at places like Duke and Kansas and all their talent for generations now, but the the really impressive part of those programs’ constant success is that everywhere they go, they’re walking into snake pits. You’ve seen how hard it is for visitors to win in Mackey Arena in that environment. That’s almost an every-game deal for the crooked numbered, and it will be the deal for Purdue again this season.

CONSISTENCY

It’s hard to get a program to No. 1. It’s harder to keep a program at No. 1, but it’s a culture of consistency built by Matt Painter that has kept the program elite.

This is now four of five seasons Purdue has topped the AP poll. It peaked at 6 last season.

All-Americans have come and gone. Jaden Ivey and Trevion Williams gave way to Zach Edey who gave way to Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn.

Just an amazing run Purdue’s been on, with Painter doing it on his terms, with this team now looking like just as much a national title contender as the team that fell one win short two seasons ago.

It may or may not keep on as is after this senior class, but betting against Purdue has proven to be a fool’s errand.

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