Purdue basketball head coach Matt Painter may not assemble another class quite as good as the one that got recognized Sunday after defeating Wisconsin.
This year’s senior class helped the Boilermakers post back-to-back Big Ten championships, went undefeated this season at Mackey Arena, won in every Big Ten arena and posted the most Big Ten wins by a four year class in conference history.
“I don’t think we resonate with everyone nationally or in the Midwest, but we resonate with the people we compete against,” Painter said.
The class featured Zach Edey, Mason Gillis, Lance Jones, Ethan Morton, and walk-ons Chase Martin and Carson Barrett. NBA player Jaden Ivey, of the Detroit Pistons, was also in this recruiting class for the Boilermakers.
“You want to have the most successful class in Purdue history or Big Ten history, whatever it might be, and keep getting better. At the end of the day that’s what they are going to look at, those media guides and stuff. I am happy for them. Jaden helped with that his first two years. They worked hard. There’s nobody standing out there that didn’t work for it,” Painter said of his class.
In addition, he said it is a huge advantage to have this year’s class rub off on his younger players for Purdue basketball.
“It’s so important teaching guys the ropes and understanding there is no quick fix and you have to work and stay positive. We have some really good younger players that haven’t played a whole lot, but they see they see the end result of getting your degree from Purdue, improving and getting better. There’s nobody out there standing that hasn’t improved and gotten better,” Painter said.
The senior class will look to continue their winning ways at the Big Ten Conference Tournament in Minneapolis.
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