UConn humbles Purdue basketball in final exhibition tune up
SPORTS
The exhibition slate of games concluded with a harsh and humbling regular season tune-up for Purdue basketball.
The No. 24 Boilermakers suffered early shooting and turnover woes and found themselves chasing from a double digit deficit quickly against one of the nation’s top programs.
It’s the fourth straight season the Boilers lost a road exhibition game against a power conference program, including Arkansas in 2023, Creighton in 2024 and Kentucky last season.
Purdue now turns its attention to its regular season opener against Gonzaga in Las Vegas on Nov. 2.
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue freshman guard Luke Ertel attempts to guard Lance Jones during a halfcourt 5-on-5 session at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue freshman guard Luke Ertel attempts to guard Lance Jones during a halfcourt 5-on-5 session at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
C.J. Cox defends with his hands held high at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Sinan Huan, left, Daniel Jacobsen, center and Jacob Webber wait on the sideline for their turn in a drill at Purdue’s practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Sinan Huan, right, hands off a pass to Luke Ertel during a live drill at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue guard Antione West Jr. drives to the lane at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Gicarri Harris fights through contact to finish a layup at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Antione West Jr. battles down the lane as he heads toward the basket at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Raleigh Burgess flushes a dunk during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Rivers Knight bodies against a scout team defender during a drill at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Antione West Jr. shoots over a scout team player at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Enzo Shahvrin throws a pass mid-air during a scrimmage at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue senior forward Enzo Shahvrin eyes a pass during a drill at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Gicarri Harris drives past Jace Rayl on his way to the basket during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Omer Mayer looks for a teammate to pass to during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue guard Luke Ertel fights through the hand of Lance Jones while moving cross-court during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Enzo Shahrvin flushes a reverse dunk during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue center Daniel Jacobsen shoots a turnaround jumper over Sam King during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue freshman forward Rivers Knight looks to pass to a teammate during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Daniel Jacobsen eyes down a dunk during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Caden Pierce chats with Purdue assistant coach Paul Lusk before practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Where does Purdue basketball rank in preseason coaches poll?
Purdue men’s head basketball coach Matt Painter exits the huddle to lead off practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue guard Jacob Webber puts up a shot during a drill in practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Caden Pierce shoots a jump shot at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue freshman guard Luke Ertel finishes his section of a drill with a jumpshot at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Purdue freshman center Sinan Huan drive to the lane during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Rivers Knight shoots a corner three during a drill at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Enzo Shahrvin puts up a jumper during practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Rivers Knight defends the post against a drive during a drill at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Jacob Webber gets instruction from Purdue assistant coach Brandon Brantley at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
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Photos from last Tuesday’s Purdue basketball open practice.
Gicarri Harris stops the drive of Jace Rayl at practice on July 21, 2026, in West Lafayette, IN.
(Photos/Elijah Greene)
Purdue basketball turning point vs UConn
The Boilermakers made just 5 of 21 shots to open the game and it wasn’t until Raleigh Burgess rebounded his own miss and kicked to Jack Benter for an open 3 with 2:25 to go in the first half that Purdue made a shot from beyond the arc.
The Boilermakers, who trailed 17-7 midway through the first half, finished the opening 20 minutes just 1 of 14 from 3.
By halftime, UConn led 35-20 and held Purdue to 26.7% shooting. The Boilermakers couldn’t recover from the early hole. Purdue had a chance to cut the lead to seven early in the second half but Omer Mayer’s open corner 3 caromed off the rim, leading to a conventional three-point play for UConn’s Silas Demary Jr.
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – OCTOBER 27: Omer Mayer #17 of the Purdue Boilermakers is defended by Oskar Giltay #18 of the Connecticut Huskies during the first half of the NCAA men’s exhibition basketball game at PeoplesBank Arena on October 27, 2026 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
Game MVP
Jayden Ross set the tone early for the Huskies. He was a perfect 4-for-4, including 3-for-3 with 11 points in the opening half. Ross finished with 13 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 18 minutes.
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3 standouts for Purdue basketball vs. UConn
CJ Cox: Cox accounted for half of Purdue’s first half offense, scoring 10 points on 4 of 9 shooting. The rest of the team in that stretch was 4-for-21. Cox finished with a game high 18 points on 50% shooting and also had 6 rebounds.
Caden Pierce: For the Boilermakers to have success this season, they’ll need solid rebounding from the former Ivy League Player of the Year. Purdue was outmatched Tuesday on the glass but held its own. Pierce supplying 7 boards (4 offensive) helped in that regard.
Daniel Jacobsen: The 7-foot-4 center is not a finished product but he’s definitely showing his game changer ability with his length. Jacobsen blocked four shots and totaled 10 in three exhibition games. When he gets to his spot in the post, he’s hard to stop. Jacobsen finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds and an assist.
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Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
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