Purdue Falls to Gonzaga, Coach Cites UConn Exhibition
Head coach Matt Painter says losing to a top-10 team in exhibition revealed depth issues, leading to a 78-72 defeat in the season opener.
By Larissa Shah ·
Purdue lost its season opener 78-72 to No. 15 Gonzaga at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Monday night. The Boilermakers fell behind on the free throw line, where Gonzaga converted 26 of 34 attempts while Purdue made 15 of 21, according to Purdue Athletics.
Head coach Matt Painter joined The Ride with JMV before the game to discuss a preseason exhibition against UConn. Purdue has not won one of those matchups in four years, but Painter said the loss was instructive. He noted the team went 2-for-25 from three-point range and struggled with the possession war on the boards and in turnovers.
Painter described the experience of being beaten in every phase of the game as a way to make the squad "a little bit callous." He stated that the gap between his starters and his bench became visible against a top-10 opponent. "We’re not ready for that," he said. The goal of playing UConn, he explained, is to prepare for the next test.
The coach told his young roster that they need "competitive fear." He wants players to be unafraid of opponents but aware that if they are not right, the other team "could smack you." Painter said that without competitive fear, a team is preparing to lose.
Painter also outlined his recruiting philosophy, favoring production over raw talent. He said coaches often overlook players with high skill who have not yet produced results. He prefers to analyze 35 games of data to see if a player rebounds, protects the ball, and hits free throws. "Your eyes also have a bias," he said.
Daniel Jacobsen led Purdue with 22 points in the loss to Gonzaga. The Boilermakers return home Friday to face Valparaiso at Mackey Arena.
Painter’s comments were part of a wider discussion on the Andy Mohr Automotive Group hotline regarding the team's preparation for the season.
