5 Noteworthy Items as Purdue Basketball Officially Begins Practice for 2026-27 Season

The start of the college basketball season has almost arrived. In October, Purdue will play three exhibition games to prepare for the 2026-27 campaign. Then, in November, the Boilermakers travel to Las Vegas to play Gonzaga in the season opener.

Purdue officially begins practice for the upcoming season on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a new era in West Lafayette. Gone are Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn, but this is a team that still has plenty of talent on the roster.

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As the Boilers prepare for a brand new year, here are a few noteworthy items to follow as the start of the season approaches.

Still no update on Enzo Shahrvin

Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter reacts to a call. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Purdue begins practice without an update on Enzo Shahrvin, the 6-foot-9 forward from France. The NCAA has still not made a ruling regarding his eligibility. He can currently practice with the team, but is not permitted to participate in any competitions during the 2026-27 season.

Coach Matt Painter likes the phyiscality and toughness Shahrvin brings to the floor. After the trip to Canada in July, that was one area where Purdue struggled, and he believes Shahrvin’s presence would aid the Boilermakers in that department.

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There isn’t a timetable for the NCAA to make a ruling, but Purdue is hoping a decision is reached sooner rather than later.

The rebounding question

Purdue Boilermakers center Daniel Jacobsen (12) grabs a rebound. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

One glaring issue Purdue faces as it enters the 2026-27 season is on the glass. The Boilers struggled to rebound the basketball while in Canada, and it was Painter’s top concern coming out of those four games.

Forward Caden Pierce provides a nice punch on the glass, and is arguably Purdue’s top rebounder heading into the year. The Boilers also got solid production on the boards from the backcourt, but they need more from Daniel Jacobsen, Raleigh Burgess and…

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Publish date : 2026-09-22 20:14:00

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