View from two Big Ten coaches who recruited Oscar Cluff: "He was really a perfect fit for Purdue"

Need more proof of how well Oscar Cluff will fit in with the top-ranked Boilermakers?

Let Washington coach Danny Sprinkle and Oregon coach Dana Altman provide more evidence of what the 6-foot-11, 255-pound transfer from South Dakota State adds to a loaded roster.

Sprinkle recruited Cluff during his five-year tenure at Montana State when the Australian native attended Cochise College in Arizona. Altman’s first-hand knowledge of Cluff comes from when he played at Washington State before transferring to South Dakota State.

“The Oscar Cluff kid is one of the best screeners,” Sprinkle said.

Said Altman: “I don’t remember how good a passer he was, but I know he’s physical in there and goes after rebounds with two hands.”

Those are two characteristics that usually play well in Matt Painter’s program.

Sprinkle was attracted to Cluff’s skill set because those elements — along with others — lead to winning. The points, rebounds, and shooting percentage stand out, but the intangibles and willingness to sacrifice for the team’s betterment can’t be ignored.

“When I talk about winning, more like the little things, that’s what he does,” Sprinkle said at Big Ten Media Day earlier this month. “His ability to score on the block and rebound, but the way he’s going to be able to screen in their offense, I mean, he was really a perfect fit for Purdue.

“Just his overall skill level and feel for the game. I thought he just knows how to play, and he knows how to get teammates better. He’s just a big, old, physical dude.”

Altman referred to Cluff as “the big fella” who features solid footwork, brings a high degree of physicality and has sharpened his offensive skills since arriving in the United States.

“He wasn’t that offensive-oriented at Washington State because they had some other good players,” Altman said. “He didn’t have to score a lot. But like I said, the physicality he brings, he’ll get himself involved.”

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Since arriving on campus during the summer, the Boilermakers continue to learn more about Cluff, but the onus is on him to adjust to the current group.

“To be honest, he’s done a good job of adapting to me,” said Trey Kaufman-Renn, who will likely play alongside Cluff inside. “He’s a tremendous rebounder, so no matter who you’re paired with, that always helps.”

Said Cluff: “I want to fill the role they need me to fill the best that I can.”

Cluff isn’t the only newcomer/transfer to join the Boilermakers, who bring back a wealth of talent and experience. It’s not just Kaufman-Renn, but Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and sophomores Gicarri Harris and C.J. Cox gained valuable minutes last year and are poised to take a significant jump this season.

But Cluff, fellow transfer Liam Murphy, and freshman Omer Mayer have grasped what they’re walking into and what’s needed to fulfill this team’s goals.

“Because of our culture, because of our history, because of who we are as Purdue players, they understand what comes along with that,” Smith said. “They understand that every single day they’ve got to play a role that fits the best players.

“I think they’ve done an unbelievable job asking questions, wanting to get better, wanting to figure out how to play in the system. I think they understand, ‘OK, we’ve got to come in and fit with this team.”