Purdue made history this year, topping the AP preseason poll for the first time, so that was not the start that the Purdue Boilermakers probably expected. Matt Painter’s side received 35 of 61 first-place votes to gain the favorites tag before the season began. However, they came up short against No.9 Kentucky, losing 78-65 at the Rupp Arena. Despite the deflating loss, Painter revealed that this could actually benefit his team in the long run. 

“This is the third year in a row we were on the road to play a game like this. We played Arkansas, we played Creighton, and we’ve lost them all. And I know it sounds crazy, but it’s really helped us,” Painter told the media. Recapping their exhibition clash at CHI Health Center Omaha from last year, Purdue went up against Creighton and lost 93-87. Their defense let them down at the time as Creighton shot 60% from the floor and knocked down 13-of-28 shots from 3-point range.

Painter further pointed out that the rough times here prepare them for the high-pressure season. “It doesn’t feel that way right now, but it’s really helped just because a lot of times in basketball, you don’t know early in the season your problems. You don’t know your real problems. And we have real problems. I don’t care where we’re ranked. We have real problems. And I think that allows us to go back and practice.” Painter announced. 

The UK dominated key categories, second-chance points, paint scoring, bench production, fastbreaks, and rebounds. That was in line with Painter’s non-conference policy. Cutting iron with iron. The Boilermakers will play Alabama, Auburn, and Iowa State, all of which finished last season ranked in the top 25.

They will also host a talented Marquette team and will play in the Baha Mar Championship (Nov. 20-21), at the Baha Mar Convention, which features Memphis, Wake Forest, and Texas Tech. That is a tough non-conference schedule, but it’s designed that way.

“One of the great college basketball programs, venues, and environments. We just want to get into that buzzsaw-type environment when it doesn’t count, even though when you’re a competitor, it always counts.” Painter had said. So, a gut punch is what they were looking for. Even the squad sees things in a similar light to Painter. 

Matt Painter’s Boilermakers On Their Toes After Kentucky Loss

What bothers the program is, Purdue struggled in areas where they are supposed to be good. While they shot just 38.6% from the floor, Kentucky won the battle on the glass 42-30. But the even bigger concern was Kentucky grabbing 10 offensive boards compared to Purdue’s seven. Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have proven that they possess a threatening three-ball, but the two combined to shoot just 2 of 11 from downtown. Still, the team isn’t giving up on their confidence.

“I don’t know if panic is the word for it, but it’s good to have that,” Braden Smith said after the game when I asked him if he wanted his young guys to be in a panic about the loss.

“’Cause it keeps you honest. It keeps you wanting to work hard and want more. Understanding that, now that we’re #1 preseason, well, it’s possible to get beat. It’s possible if we don’t come out and play to our ability that things like tonight can happen.” However, the edge may have come from Matt Painter’s experimentation.

After the opening five minutes, he went deep into his bench, cycling lineups rapidly to gauge his full roster. All 11 Boilermakers saw action, but the constant shuffling clearly disrupted Purdue’s rhythm. So while Braden Smith and Co. are keeping the motivation high, looking at the score, this disappointment could also be attributed to it being an exhibition game.

However, this is still the correct attitude to have if they want to satisfy the preseason expectations. Keeping this energy, this lost exhibition game in October will be in the rearview mirror if they reach the national title game in April.