Matt Painter Reveals Purdue Basketball’s Starting Lineup Ahead of Kentucky Game

Purdue men’s basketball is preparing for its exhibition opener against Kentucky, set for Friday. Head coach Matt Painter has revealed the team’s starting lineup for this highly anticipated game.

Starting Lineup Breakdown

The Boilermakers will feature C.J. Cox as the starting shooting guard. He joins a formidable backcourt consisting of four-year starters Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. The lineup also includes veteran big man Trey Kaufman-Renn at the power forward position and South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff playing at center.

Contenders for Starting Positions

• Gicarri Harris
• Omer Mayer
• Antoine West Jr.

These players were also in contention for starting roles but did not make the final cut for this game.

Last Season’s Performance

During the 2023-24 season, Purdue utilized a consistent starting lineup throughout its NCAA championship run. The backcourt consisted of Smith, Loyer, and Lance Jones, with Zach Edey and Kaufman-Renn anchoring the frontcourt.

In contrast, Painter frequently adjusted the starting lineup last season. By the season’s end, Cox had secured a starting position alongside Smith and Loyer, while Harris began the season as a starter.

This year’s exhibition game will be an opportunity for the team to refine their synergy and possibly test different combinations early in the season.

Stay tuned for updates as the season progresses. For further insights, sign up for Emegypt’s newsletter covering Purdue sports.