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Purdue Basketball: Exhibition Game Signals New Era
16 Oct
Summary
- Purdue basketball team plays its first exhibition game on Sunday.
- Team features a new look with four starters departed from last season.
- Offense will shift from post-play to perimeter-focused shooting.
The Purdue Boilermakers are set to unveil a new-look squad for the 2026-27 basketball season, commencing with their first exhibition game against Ball State this Sunday at Mackey Arena. The team faces significant changes, having lost four starters from the previous year, prompting widespread curiosity about the new starting lineup and player rotations.
Associate head coach P.J. Thompson is expected to implement an offense that emphasizes perimeter shooting and spacing, a departure from the post-centric play of recent seasons. Players like Gicarri Harris and C.J. Cox are noted for their three-point capabilities. This offensive shift is anticipated to resemble the team's style from the 2018-19 season.
A major point of interest will be the debut of freshman Enzo Shahrvin, who is expected to play the center position. His athleticism and physical presence will be closely watched. The development and playing time of the four-man recruiting class, particularly Luke Ertel and Jacob Webber, will also be a significant storyline throughout the exhibition games.
The role of Raleigh Burgess is another question mark, as he may need to adapt to playing the center position due to roster depth at the forward spots. His performance in the exhibition will offer insights into his potential contributions this season.
